“We started recording this album before the pandemic and then the world shut down. Some of the singles were released in 2019 and 2020, whereas other tracks from this record like “Relics” and “Michigan State” were fully recorded before the pandemic, but we were able to be revisited and reshaped in the studio years later. It is a unique experience to be able to sit with these recordings for so long, and then to be able to go back and fix them up,” Brooklyn shares. “I guess that is why Fixer Upper feels like the best title for this collection of songs. As I grew and found myself more as an artist, I was able to let this album grow with me. I guess you could say that I feel like a bit of a fixer upper myself. This record represents both who I was then, and who I am now, especially with tracks like “Wasted My Twenties” and “Fuck That Guy” that showcase a sonic shift from indie-folk to a decidedly grungier sound.”
About Brooklyn Doran:
Originally from the heart of Northwestern Ontario, Doran has been a staple of the Toronto folk scene for more than a decade. Over the course of the pandemic, Brooklyn starting experimenting with her sound, which led to a collaboration with Canadian punk band Cancer Bats. Lending her vocals to their newest album Psychic Jailbreak on the track “Hammering On,” Brooklyn joined the band for their 2022 tour across Canada and the United Kingdom, and hit the stage with the group each night to perform the song.
Doran’s unique sound weaves song and storytelling; the polarity between her music and personality create a harmonious blend of wit and humour contrasted by vulnerable lyricism and haunting melody. A natural performer, audiences are immediately drawn to Doran’s engaging storytelling and emotional honesty. An accomplished saxophonist, Brooklyn got her start as a session player, while booking gigs across the city as a solo artist; singing and strumming an old beat-up acoustic guitar that was purchased at a yard sale.
In addition to her work in music, Brooklyn has collaborated as a public figure with charities and brands that work to further acceptance and inclusion such as: The Get Real Movement x Kiehl’s Canada campaign, The 519’s Will Munro Fund, Facebook Canada’s International Women’s Day in 2018, and NDP Canada’s Virtual Pride in 2021. Her charitable work is highlighted with the 2020 release of her emotion single “Tomorrow Never Comes,” a song dedicated to her late friend Andrew Henderson. All proceeds from this song have continued to be donated to Toronto charity The 519, which supports the queer and trans community.
