Beams are a Toronto, Canada-based band who have just hit our radar thanks to their new EP. Featuring three tracks that were written during pandemic lockdown, its mission is to spread a little joy in our increasingly gloomy world. It’s called The Spark In Your Eye.

By Graeme Smith

Beams are a six-piece who have been touring for over a decade. They are Martin Crawford on guitar and lap steel, Mike Merniecks-Duffield on drums, Keith Hamilton on vibraphone, singing saw and vocals, Heather Mazhar on vocals, Craig Moffatt on bass, and Anna Merniecks-Duffield on lead vocals, guitar, banjo, alto sax and song writing. They’ve released three albums to date, with this new EP bridging the gap to their fourth.

The three songs on The Spark In You Eye were chosen from thirteen written during lockdown. In a time where there seemed to be bad news everywhere you looked, Beams decided to focus on life’s joy. The result is a soul-warming trilogy that kicks off with Morning Waits. It has a moody instrumental opening before Anna’s charismatic vocals come in. Things build to a dramatic rock chorus which will have your heart bursting.

I See a Spark is a gentler number, with wistful electro-acoustic guitar and relaxed percussion. Highlights of strings giving a folksy feel. Take Back Ten is a lilting conclusion to the EP. A stripped back opening verse gives way to a layered, upbeat and expansive chorus. The track comes complete with a music video, directed by Beth Warrian, which you can check out below.

This EP is an exciting taste of the world of Beams and the band’s chemistry and talent is on show across its three tracks. They’re a band that definitely require a bit more exploration from me and, if you’re a fan of melodic indie rock, you too. Beams are currently on tour, playing across North America in August and September, with a home town show in Toronto tomorrow night at The Baby G.

Spark In Your Eye was recorded live with Kevin McMahon at Marcata Recording in the Hudson Valley of New York. You can check it out below.