Lillix is back on the road with a new album.
After years absent from the music industry, sisters Lacey-Lee and Tasha-Ray Evin independently released Tigerlily last August. Their third record is a personal reflection on losing their former management team, record label, and the return to music.
“It’s kind of like a memoir of the last five years of our lives,” said 27-year-old keyboardist Lacey-Lee. “We’ve had some great moments and a lot of struggles of just rebuilding and learning how to do everything by ourselves.”
The pop/rock band from Cranbrook formed in 1997 and signed with Madonna’s Maverick record label in 2001. Their debut album Falling Uphill was an international success, selling more than half a million copies worldwide. A cover of The Romantics’ classic What I Like About You was featured on the Freaky Friday soundtrack and the music video starring Lindsay Lohan.
In 2006, Lillix teamed up with drummer Alicia Warrington and released their sophomore record Inside the Hollow. After the sudden demise of Maverick later that year, Warrington and founding member Louise Burns left the band. The Evin sisters decided to take a hiatus from the music industry to regroup, and later emerged with former Savage Blade drummer Eric Hoodicoff, Cameron Brass and Alex Varon
Lacey-Lee and Tasha-Ray grew up listening to their dad’s rock and roll collection, which still influences their music today. Tigerlily features several upbeat dance tracks, infused with indie-disco, pop and rock.
“As you get older, your music matures with you,” said 25-year-old guitarist Tasha-Ray. “We’re not afraid to write about certain subjects. You just have to write what you feel. If somebody relates to it, that’s awesome. If they don’t, then that’s OK too.”
Lillix has played on the Warped Tour and opened for high-profile acts like Metric, Alanis Morisette, Aerosmith and KISS. Between live appearances on the Tom Green show, TRL and Much On Demand, Lillix extensively toured North America and Japan. They received two Juno nominations in 2004 and were named the best new group at the Canadian Radio Music Awards that same year.
Lillix plays at the Duke of Dublin Pub on Feb. 19. Admission is $10 at the door after 8 p.m. Showtime is 11 p.m. For more information, visit lillixonline.com.