Biography
Established in Canada’s capital as a three-piece during 2007, the propulsive indie-rock outfit that would become known as Balconies played its debut show the following February. Singer-guitarist Jacquie Neville, her brother Steve on bass, and drummer Liam Jaeger formed the original roster. A mutual acquaintance, Leif Vollebekk, supplied the group’s name. Conceived primarily as a side project, Balconies existed alongside the members’ principal commitments—For the Mathematics for Jaeger and Jetplanes of Abraham for Jacquie Neville. The Neville siblings had previously collaborated in the more restrained yet comparably forceful Jacquie in the Kitchen. While enrolled in classical-music studies at the University of Ottawa, the musicians brought the exactitude of that training to their intermittently explosive alt-rock sound. Issued in September 2009, their self-titled debut illustrated this disciplined approach, elevating the band’s standing within the Ottawa community and prompting parallels with New Young Pony Club and Interpol. Financial constraints postponed further releases for several years, yet by 2012 the group had settled in Toronto and commenced work on a follow-up album under producer Arnold Lanni, previously associated with Montreal’s Simple Plan. The Lenny Kravitz-influenced track “Kill Count” appeared in 2013; shortly before a European tour, Theo McKibbon joined on drums, freeing Jaeger to switch to guitar.
Singles
