Fronted by singer/electric washboard player Lori Paradis, Canadian band Sulfur City comes roaring out of your speakers with echoes of Grace Slick, Patti Smith and Janis Joplin. This is no wimpy chick rock! Sulfur City is the first female-fronted band on Alive, and their balls-to-thewall, high-energy gritty blues style fits right in with label mates like the Black Keys and Left Lane Cruiser.
Born in a small mining town in North-eastern Ontario, Lori’s lyrics reflect her life experience (she has been a truck driver on a construction crew, a bartender and a house painter among other odd jobs).
“Talking Loud” was recorded at the infamous Gas Station Recording studio by Dale Morningstar (Cowboy Junkies, Neko Case), and features Jesse Lagace (guitar), Steve Smith (bass), Sam King (drums), and Keith Breit (keys).
Where’s me washboard? A star is born.
Fronted by electric washboard-toting powerhouse Lori Paradis, Ontario band Sulfur City have unleashed a speaker-shredding blues-rock tornado with Talking Loud, which sits beautifully with labelmates the Black Keys but also harbours an intoxicating, multi-hued diversity.
Former truck driver Paradis towers throughout, evoking Joplin, Slick and even Patti Smith on full-tilt blasters such as Whispers and Raise The Hammer; early 70s-style conscious blues-rock on War Going On; and shining on moody, swirling psych ballad One Day In June.
The band’s raging but luminescent dynamic, vividly captured by producer Dale Morningstar, gains extra depth through Keith Breit’s keyboards. In the words of an old jazz correspondent, this band “slices so much ass the room is waist-deep in ass”. We say a new star has come among us. – Kris Needs / CLASSIC ROCK
With an electric washboard, a powerful howl, a 60s sense of social outrage and a thing for the Devil (who appears in “Johnny” and “Sold”), leader Lori Paradis cuts a striking figure. – Michael Toland/BLURT
Bluesy psychedelic rock that seems to have been transported straight from the 60′s and 70′s. – GLIDE MAGAZINE
The grit and the grime have infused Sulfur City’s grooves, and cuts such as “Ride With Me”, “Johnny” or the shimmering “One Day In June” place them as a superlative roadhouse act. – VIVE LE ROCK
There’s something special about a gutsy and compelling female vocalist fronting a hard rock band when it’s done right. Canadian band Sulfur City tick all those boxes.
Sulfur City’s bold, bluesy and soulful sound is a perfect fit for the Alive Naturalsound stable which has carved a market in the rootsy hard rock space. They’re the label’s first female-fronted act which was a surprise.
Hailing from Ontario, the band’s focal point is ex-truck driver and bartender Lori Paradis, a flame-haired vocal powerhouse and electric washboard player (!) whose voice will knock you flat at 20 paces. “Talking Loud” is an attention-getting debut record overflowing with blues-boogie and soul goodness. – I94 BAR
Their visceral brand of blues is sparked by the passionate expression of meaningful narratives, as they power their way through grunge, punk, funk, soul and Cajun influences. – TEAMROCK
We like to think we know a superb record when we hear it, and in “Talking Loud” we have just heard one. – MAXIMUM VOLUME
A wonderful musical stew. – LA EXAMINER
Did I mention this is a serious rock and roll record, something that’s vanishing faster than bees these days? Sulfur City is a really honest to goodness working class rock band, the kind you can unwind to with beers and pool games at the local pub. Paradis even possesses the requisite career history as she’s been a construction worker, house painter and trucker. Those are careers that make you tough and give you the right rock ‘n’ roll mindset. – POPMATTERS