PREMIERE // Toronto’s ON releases ‘Blackmail’ single as they kick off Ontario tour

Toronto’s own college rock-inspired alternative rock trio ON – formerly of popular acts Acid Test, Danko Jones and Deliuss (specifically vocalist-bassist Lucy Di Santo, drummer Dan Cornelius and guitarist Steve Fall) – is back with their ripping single ‘Blackmail’ hot on the trail of their ‘‘Underdog’. single. Open your ears to both of these powerhouse tracks – you’ll be glad you did.

The band has just launched their ‘Underdog’ Tour, which brings live performances to the following cities: Kingston, Ottawa, Baldwin, Toronto, Barrie, Paris, Cambridge, Hamilton, and London. Between the singles, videos and the tour, there’s good reason for the fanfare as the band will soon release their long-awaited ‘ON’ album – it’s out on September 16 via Indiestructable Records.

Frontwoman  Lucy Di Santo.shares some thoughts on this single and the album as a whole:

“This is a song about empowerment, strength, and self-actualization. It embraces recovery of one’s authentic self and soul from external forces – whether they be human, institutional, cultural, or chemical. This record deals with where we are today and what we’ve overcome, persevering as a society and as individuals. I found myself as part of a genuinely authentic creative, human experience with Steve and Dan in various geographical locations including NYC, Florida and Toronto and felt the need to document it melodically. It’s about pain, hope, reframing and overcoming. It’s about survival. The songs are an authentic and complete collaboration of the triad and soul connection that is ON.”

Always pushing forward with an eye on the rear-view mirror, ON pays homage to its roots – post-punk, grunge, old-school funk and 90s college rock. With infectious guitar riffs with a dash of p-funk groove, ON’s music recalls a listening journey of classic albums on vinyl. While some songs are carried by emotional weight, some are ripping mini-audio trips with invigorating twists and turns.

“This record is a document of friendship navigating explores in pain, and hope. Looking at the world with a collaborative effort to document what we see, witness and feel through songwriting and chemistry as band,” says ON guitarist Steve Fall.

“Dan and I wrote the riff to Blackmail in NYC at his apartment. We really felt good about the bounce feel of the verse guitar part. The accent on the second part of the verse hook was subtle and kind
of loose. We dug the groove and vibe. Once we presented the initial riffs to Lucy, she immediately grabbed it and went into a very introspective lyric – a discussion about people messin’ about with your head. “I’m here on the microphone. I’m clear I know what the score is… on your telephone sensing you’re not what your sayin”.  It’s about people hiding behind technology and Lucy having enough of it. Empowerment.”

Having toured the USA, Mexico and Canada, ON’s recordings are found on various CFNY and CMW New Music Compilations, as well as limited cassette tape releases via the Opcion Sonica label.

Toronto is still home for Di Santo and Fall, while Cornelius currently resides in NYC. Written in Toronto and New York City, the pre-production recording took place in Fort Meyers in winter 2021 with Drew Howard at Star Sound Studios. The band has since been working out of Phase One Studios with sound engineerDarius Szczepaniak (Sum 41, Black Crowes, Big Sugar, Bare Naked Ladies, Jann Arden).

As of August 17, ‘Blackmail’ will be available everywhere online, including Bandcamp, where ‘Underdog’ can already be found. The full ‘ON’ album will be released on September 16 and can be ordered atindiestructablerecords.com.

ALBUM CREDITS
Written, arranged by ON (Di Santo, Fall, Cornelius)
Lucy Di Santo – vocals, bass
Dan Cornelius – drums
Steve Fall – guitars
Produced by ON and Darius Szczepaniak
Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Darius Szczepaniak at Phase One Studios, Toronto
Preproduction & original engineering by Drew Howard at The Star Sound Studios, Cape Coral, FL
Additional drum programming (FLA) by Jay Aitch / The Star Sound Studios
‘Underdog’ video filmed by Lindi Gordon and edited by Michael Gucciardi
Artist photos by Lindi Gordon

TOUR DATES
August 13 – Paris Fairgrounds, BAJC Jeep Festival, PARIS
August 18 – Toucan, KINGSTON
August 19 – CafeDekcuf, OTTAWA
August 20 – Baldwin Festival, BALDWIN
August 20 – Dakota Tavern, TORONTO
August 23 – Flying Monkey (acoustic set), BARRIE
August 25 – Rhythm and Brews, CAMBRIDGE
August 26 – Doors Pub: Taco Joint & Metal Bar, HAMILTON
August 27 – The Richmond Tavern, LONDON

Follow, support and fan out over Toronto’s ON
Website | LinkTree | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music