The Sole Pursuit

Toronto indie rock unit the Sole Pursuit are set to deliver a new album called Infinite Regress this fall, but before the album lands, Exclaim! has got your first look at the band's new video for "All Aside."

In the clip we see a restaurant employee finishing his shift in the kitchen and bolting out the back door to post-work freedom. He runs through the streets of Toronto, taking some impressively daring jumps along the way. Follow him as he scales staircases, walls, a skatepark, and even a tree on his route to the perfect spot to take in the city's sunset and skyline.

Infinite Regress is officially out on September 11, but you can scroll past the group's upcoming tour dates to check out the new video for "All Aside" in the player below, right now.

Tour dates:

07/24 Brantford, ON – Club NV
08/01 Guelph, ON – Jimmy Jazz
08/08 Montreal, QC – Barfly
08/09 Ottawa, ON – Live on Elgin
08/13 Toronto, ON – The Gladstone
08/21 Niagara Falls, ON – Tapps Brewery
09/10 Toronto, ON – Junction City Music Hall
09/11 Ottawa, ON – Avant Garde
09/12 Montreal, QC – Bar L'escogriffe
09/13 Moncton, NB – Plan B
09/15 Halifax, NS – Gus Pub
09/17 Charlottetown, PEI – Fishbones
09/18 Sydney, NS – Govenor's Pub
09/19 St. Peter's, NS – Macbouche
09/25 Peterborough, ON – The Garnet
10/22 Thunder Bay, ON - The Foundry
10/23 Winnipeg, MB – The Garrick Hotel
10/24 Brandon, MB - The Double Decker - Exclaim Magazine

Interview By: Jenna Melanson
Photo Credit: Jess Baumung

Toronto, ON based rock band, The Sole Pursuit is made up of Kyle Dawe, AJ Perry, Dylan Burrett and Adam Hay. The band has been hard at work on their upcoming album, “Infinite Regress” which was three years in the making, and it shows, the album is perfectly put together and I’m sure any rock fan will enjoy it! On top of this, the band released a brand new music video for the first single, “All Aside” today, take a look:

I had the chance to ask the band a few questions about their background, the single, the upcoming album and much more, be sure to read below and check out the band’s social media at the bottom!

Every band has a story about how they came together. What’s yours?

Originally when I entered the studio to make our first recording, there was no intention of this ever being a proper band, I simply had a bunch of songs together and wanted to make a record, rather quickly, and see how I felt afterward. Turns out I felt like putting a band together, which was lucky because things got dicey and I lost most of what had been recorded, the band being assembled allowed us to continue on and make our second EP “Ocean Floor” and the new album “Infinite Regress” too.

What made you choose the name, “The Sole Pursuit”?

When it came time to name the project I wanted something simple and unprovocative that spoke to what this undertaking of making records and playing shows was all about. A career in music had been the only thing I’d been chasing for the better part of a decade and so the original idea was to call it “The Singular Pursuit” which quickly changed to “The Sole Pursuit” because it rolls off the tongue much better.

You have previously released 2 EP’s, “Opposing Force” in 2013 and “Ocean Floor” in 2014. Your new LP “Infinite Regress” is being release in September 2015. How has your sound changed through these releases?

Our records have always been like snapshots of where the group is at. The first EP, as a studio project, had a lot of production flourishes like keys, layered vocals and electronic elements. The band formed while it was just being finished, and the major challenge we faced at the time was recreating the songs live.

With the new album we sound much closer to what the band sounds like in a room, more aggressive, really trying to play off each other’s energy. As we’ve gained more experience playing together the band’s approach has become more about using the studio to capture the sound of the band and less about using the band to recreate the recordings.

Can you explain your writing process on “Infinite Regress”?

There was no real conscious process for writing the record because the songs that comprise the record were all written – to varying degrees – well before we entered the studio to put them down. “Ten” for example I wrote when I was 17 or 18, “The Depths of Hell” I wrote at 26, and then a song like “All Aside” was written collaboratively with AJ Perry right before we went into the studio. The songs on the record really run the gamut chronologically.

Who have been your main musical influences throughout your life?

It’s hard to say what have been the through-lines in terms of influences for our entire lives, certainly Radiohead, The Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer and Nirvana we’re huge for us as kids and in the case of Radiohead continue to be. Later, Matthew Good and Dave Matthews Band. Then, even later, Bruce Springsteen as well as Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst were huge revelations for me, as were Coheed & Cambria and the Mars Volta.

You are about to release your video for “All Aside” on July 23. What was the highlight of the video shoot?

Answer: AJ: We decided to do really quick and funny cameos in the video. So right at the beginning you can see me digging through the recycling as I’m being jumped over. I rubbed dirt on my face and everything for my 2 second appearance. Kyle’s part was being almost run-over and flashing this guy a dirty look because he was just trying to enjoy a hotdog.

What made you choose “All Aside” as the single?

Well it wasn’t easy. We have quite a few different tunes on the album that would work as singles but it came down to picking something that really announced our intent with this album: We’re gonna rock out, and scream and yell a bit, but you can practically hear the stupid grins on our faces as we do it, because this is what we love doing.

With the release of your new album on the horizon, can fans expect any tour dates?

Yes! We’re heading out east in September to plug the release of the new album, and when we get back we’ll be playing some Ontario dates before heading out West. When we’ve got most of this country covered, we’ll be heading to the states for more.

What can someone who has yet to see you perform live expect from one of your shows?

We’ve been playing a lot of new material lately, and as such the live show is pretty intense. We’ve dropped most of our mid-tempo or ballad tunes for the time being because we’ve been having such a blast playing start-to-finish rockers. We try to get the energy in the room as high as we can take it and keep it there as long as we can.

You have shared the stage with Hollerado, Simple Plan and Kim Mitchell in the past, which other Canadian bands/ artists would you like to have the opportunity to share the stage with?

There’s a few Matt Good fans in the band. Billy Talent and Alexisonfire are on my bucketlist, really any band that can turn it up to 10 but still have good songs.

What’s next for The Sole Pursuit?

For 2015/2016 – tour, tour, tour, tour! After that – Album #2. God Willing.

Here at Canadian Beats, we like to include a portion of questions that may help your fans learn something new about you, so here goes:

What was the last concert you attended as a fan?

Death From Above 1979 with Metz and PS I Love You played in Oshawa. OSHAWA. It was crazy. – AJ

What is your current go-to song?

“City on the Hill” by Desaparecidos. So, so good.

What is your favourite summertime activity?

Outdoor Rock Festivals! $12 pizza slices notwithstanding.

What is your favourite summertime treat?

The Vanilla Cone, tried and true.

If you were able to spend the day with any musician from the past or present, who would you choose?

Levon Helm of The Band. All evidence seems to indicate that that dude was one of the coolest to ever live.

Do you have any tattoos? If so, what are they?

Yes I have 2 tattoos, both on my left forearm. One is the initials and birthdate of my son, the other is the initials and birthdate of my daughter. It was important to me that they be on my left arm, for vaguely spiritual reasons, and on practical level I wanted to make sure no birthday was ever forgotten. Joking.

Last but not least, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?

If you’ve checked us out online and like what you’ve heard please take a look at our tour dates and come on out and see a live show. We can assure you that you will be thoroughly rocked and have a good, good time.

Connect with The Sole Pursuit:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesolepursuit
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesolepursuit
Website: http://www.thesolepursuit.com/ - Canadian Beats

Toronto indie-rock band The Sole Pursuit have just released their newest music video for their forthcoming album Infinite Regress. “All Aside”, directed by Chris Hau and J. Mitchel Reed, features a cook leaving his workplace only to embark on a vigorous parkour run across the city of Toronto. The energy of the athlete coupled with the constant movement of the camera is captured so well that it almost makes you out of breath just watching it.

Check out the music video for their newest single here: (embedded video for All Aside)

Infinite Regress will be available for purchase on September 11th.

Meanwhile, make sure to catch The Sole Pursuit on tour throughout Canada:

July 24 – Club NV, Brantford ON
Aug 1 – Jimmy Jazz, Guelph ON
Aug 8 – Barfly, Montreal QC
Aug 9 – Live on Elgin, Ottawa ON
Aug 13 – The Gladstone, Toronto ON
Aug 21 – Tapps Brewery, Niagara Falls ON
Sept 10 – Junction City Music Hall, Toronto ON
Sept 11 – Avant Garde, Ottawa ON
Sept 12 – Bar L’escogriffe, Montreal QC
Sept 13 – Plan B, Moncton NB
Sept 15 – Gus Pub, Halifax NS
Sept 17 – Fishbones, Charlottetown PEI
Sept 18 – Governor’s Pub, Sydney NS
Sept 19 – MacBouch, St. Peter’s NS
Sept 25 – The Garnet, Peterborough ON
Oct 22 – The Foundry, Thunder Bay ON
Oct 23 – The Garrick Hotel, Winnipeg MB
October 24th – The Double Decker, Brandon MB

FOR MORE INFO:

http://www.thesolepursuit.com
https://www.facebook.com/thesolepursuit
https://twitter.com/thesolepursuit - Confront Magazine

A high-spirited indie rock song gets an fittingly frisky video. A restaurant worker gets off shift and then runs, parkour style, through downtown Toronto. The song is from The Sole Pursuit’s new album Infinite Regress (Sept 11). - Ride The Tempo

Conceived as a creative outlet for frontman Kyle Dawe, The Sole Pursuit has swollen into something more communal and substantial, and Infinite Regress epitomizes that evolution. Through a pair of initial EPs– 2013’s Opposing Force and 2014’s Ocean Floor – Dawe delivered his uniquely raucous brand of rock with an indie pop bounce and punk swagger. At the time, The Sole Pursuit was essentially one man with a rotating cast of musicians at his sides, the other constant being current guitarist and vocalist AJ Perry. But now, following a grueling behind-
the-scenes struggle and a newly solidified lineup, The Sole Pursuit is determined and dead-set on pushing forward.

Infinite Regress was three years in the making – three rather trying and turbulent years at that. With a full album recorded and ready for release, a dispute with its producer led to a lengthy – and ultimately costly – conflict. “I really thought the band could be dead in the water,” Dawe admits, “but then I had the light bulb moment to just scrap it and do a new record altogether – something that better represented The Sole Pursuit at that particular time.”

And so in late 2014, Dawe and company entered the studio with producer Mike Langford (Sloan, Thornley, Crash Karma) to cut what would become Infinite Regress. The album builds on the sound established on the EPs preceding it, amping up the intensity and aggression in large part thanks to the struggles surrounding its creation. The result is a collection that’s more anthemic and accessible, but nonetheless boasting a depth of style and influence that borrows from everything from Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age to The Pixies and Vampire Weekend.

The sonic breadth is impressive, ranging from the straightforward energy and power of lead single “All Aside” to the far more subdued and serene sounds of “Ten,” which showcases Dawe’s prowess as a singer and lyricist, to the ambitious but nonetheless grabbing 11-minute opus “Depths of Hell.” Lyrically, the songs are centred on conflict, as embodied by the record’s title. “That phrase just kind of summed it up,” Dawe offers. “It was that idea that no matter what you do, it always feels like you end up at the same place. With everything we’d gone through as a band, there was a dark humour in that title.” And though it’s a sombre sentiment, there’s something nonetheless empowering and uplifting about the way they translate through the band’s power and passion. After all, that experience only reignited the passion that drove them to make music in the first place.

With a now cemented lineup consisting of Dawe, Perry, drummer Adam Hay and bassist Dylan Burrett, The Sole Pursuit is ready to not-so-solely pursue their ambitions. “We’re going out, we’re gonna tour, and we’re really gonna do this,” Dawe says with resolve. They’ve already shared stages with friends like Hollerado and PUP and Canadian icons in Kim Mitchell, Simple Plan, and 54-40, and while they may not share many sonic similarities to those acts, it certainly speaks to their demand as a live act.

Whether it’s from the stereo or stage, The Sole Pursuit bleeds fervor and intensity. “We’ve faced plenty of struggle in this band already,” Dawe says, “but with all that’s been invested in this, we’re determined to make it work.”

If it’s true what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, then there’s nothing stopping The Sole Pursuit from pushing forward – together and with proven tenacity. Infinite Regress will be released September 11th. - Bucket List Music Reviews

In today’s Getting to Know, we meet aggressive indie rockers, The Sole Pursuit. Together, the band wants to summon a pack of pigeons to take down Kings of Leon.

Band Name: The Sole Pursuit
Band Members: Kyle Dawe (lead vocals, guitar), AJ Perry (lead guitar, vocals), Dylan Burrett (bass) and Adam Hay (drums).
Years Active: 2.5
City of Origin: Toronto, ON.
Latest Release: Ocean Floor EP. Debut album, Infinite Regress, is out in September.

Who are you and what do you do?
“We are The Sole Pursuit, a four-member rock band from the 6… also known as Toronto if you don’t speak Drake. We make loud good and good loud.”

In 20 words or less, how would you describe your band?
“We play aggressive indie rock with a dual guitar attack, equipped with more hooks than Bob Izumi’s tackle box.”

Why should people care about your band?
“Because you can’t afford to go see all your favourite bands (especially if they happen to be Coheed and Cambria, Muse or Biffy Clyro), so we wrap it all into one show. We’re all about rebuilding that bridge that used to exist between catchy indie tunes and heavy rocking out – we don’t believe the styles are mutually exclusive. We’ve got a couple killer EPs out, but our debut album Infinite Regress is dropping this fall and we’re convinced it will change the way bread gets buttered.”

What is the most hilarious, frightening, or weird thing you have seen from the stage or while on the road?
“We were in Pennsylvania for a few shows and a giant snowstorm hit. We got cut off from our bassist who was in the next town over, so we sent our drummer and driver out in the van to retrieve him. Next thing you know they’re stuck on the side of a mountain! We thought, ‘How bad could it be?’ and flipped on the news to the headline, ‘Two Thirds of Nation Suffering.’ Gulp. It was like a bad horror film: Attack of the Band-Guy Eating Blizzard. Eventually we got the drummer back, but our bassist had to wait it out in a McDonalds for hours before being rescued. Meanwhile we practiced bass lines at the hotel and had to make it happen as a three-piece that gig. We gave it 100%…75%, technically, but still.”

If you become a band that eventually fills stadiums or arenas, what would be the most ridiculous thing you’d require backstage?
“We’d like a stage backstage, so we could practice not getting liquefied by the pyro or crushed by the giant pig balloon. Know your marks!”

Which band could your band defeat in a street fight? What methods would you use to ensure victory?
“Used to think we’d slaughter Coldplay, but they’ve been big into Game Of Thrones lately, so who knows what kind of weaponry they have lying around. Have to settle for Kings Of Leon, and we’d use a flock of pigeons to form a perimeter…heard they run away from pigeons.”

What is the most pretentious thing you’ve seen or heard from another musician/band? Did you love it or hate it?
“TIDAL’s launch event. From Jack White acknowledging the existence of computers, all the way to Madonna mistaking a table for a saddle. It was supposed to be like The Avengers of Music coming to save the day but it felt like a Target vs. Walmart debate.”

How do you feel about smartphones lighting up concert venues instead of lighters?
“Can’t people just set fire to their phones and hold the burning plastic up? The fumes alone would help us save on psychedelic lighting, though we’d probably pull an Avicii and put everyone in the hospital. Medic!”

If you had to be a tribute act for just one band, who would it be and why?
“One Direction. But we’d lie and (attempt to) play Slayer covers instead… 1D fans deserve better. Bait & Switch!”

Is it better to burnout than to fade away?
“Well Motley Crue managed to do both. I think you got to keep it dangerous. If you constantly look like you’re about to burnout and take it off the cliff, but somehow its all holding together, people can’t look away.” - Riff You

It seems that there are times when you just can’t catch everything. A great band often slips by whilst searching for great Indie Music. The Sole Pursuit, from right here in Toronto, are a band that I missed. It was my good fortune to have links to their albums forwarded to me, and so, I can breathe easy. Better late than never.


I started by listening to 4 track EP, ‘Ocean Floor’, released in May, 2014. “The Approaching Wave” offered great riffs, cool changes, and a dynamite bridge. I enjoyed the guitar solo, and the double guitar sound. and adored the harmonies. The sweet melody of “Ocean Floor” is accentuated by some way cool guitar effects, and a wonderful vocal track. The acoustic “Light, Overhead” delivers incredible harmonies throughout a beautiful melody. A powerful song. The last track, a way cool cover of Springsteen‘s “Dancing In The Dark“, blew me away. They nailed it! The kick ass harmonies help make this a wonderfully original cover. These guys punched it up, and delivered a driving, heavier version, that is the best best cover of this song you will ever hear!


Moving on, I listened to the 7 track ‘Opposing Force’, released in 2013. The opening track, “Unabashedly Unafraid” begins with a wonderful military drum roll. The vocals and harmonies are great, and the melody is catchy as hell. And check out those piercing guitars! “Sedan” offers some cool solepursuit3effects, a great melody, and dynamite changes. The drumming rocks, the acoustic intro is sweet, and I really like the simple guitar solo. There is an almost Zydeco feel to “Tunnel Metaphysics“, and it works. The acoustic guitar & mandolin serve as a wonderful backdrop to an amazing melody, and I know I heard piano. “The Second Renaissance” has some amazing effects, which demonstrates the band’s willingness to play with sounds. This is so cool! The melody, and changes are amazing, and I really enjoyed the sound of strings. The funkified “It Wanes” delivers amazing keys, and a dynamite bass line, wrapped up with sweet vocals, great changes, nice harmonies, and tambourine. There are 2 stand out tracks. “I Devised A Plan” has a wonderfully sweet melody, carried by acoustic guitar and mandolin. Paired with electronics and strings, the sound is simply beautiful. An Amazing track! My favorite track on the album is “A Post Modern Blue“. Cool drumming, a wonderful guitar solo, and great effects highlight this track. The harmonies are sweet, and the double guitar sound, rocks. An incredibly beautiful composition and arrangement.


The Sole Pursuit deliver the goods with a wonderfully original and creative take on power-pop. There are shades of progressive rock, noticeable in the intricate changes that fuse several musical themes together. The result is incredibly melodic and moving music. The songs are musical journeys, taking me places I did not expect to go, and then bringing me back to where I started. Like being on a road trip. They are well crafted, filled with honesty and depth. Listen carefully to the lyrics. Very clever. Very cool! I am a fan, patiently waiting for a 2015 release.


You can check out The Sole Pursuit here:

http://thesolepursuit.bandcamp.com/album/ocean-floor
https://www.facebook.com/thesolepursuit - I Can't Believe My Earz

The Sole Pursuit is coming to you from Toronto, Canada. I promise you, I didn’t mean for so many to come from Canada this month but that’s fate for you. This Indie/Alternative Rock group is comprised of

Kyle Dawe - Lead Vocals, Guitar, AJ Perry - Guitar, Vocals, Chad MacKay – Bass and Brad West – Drums. In March of this year these clever musicians released an EP called “Opposing Force” on Drive Records produced by Steve Rizun & Kyle Dawe. They are a fairly new band to the scene and since a previous writer for us, Alton, is helping raise awareness for this band it’s high time I thanked him by filling you readers in on The Sole Pursuit!

THE INTERVIEW

Daniel/HRM: Please introduce yourself and tell me how often you get to make your own sandwiches.

Kyle/TSP: My name is Kyle Dawe and I sing and play guitar in The Sole Pursuit. I am a long standing fan of the sandwich. Regrettably, I don’t get to make them as often as I’d like. When I do make them I tend to do so daily for about a week at time. It’s a kind of fever that comes and goes. Sandwich fever.

Daniel/HRM: What would be your most epic sandwich if you had unlimited resources?

Kyle/TSP: Impossible to say. Sandwich fever, like as an unfolding kaleidoscope, calls out for meaty hues there, veggie laden delight there, ever-changing. In other words, a spicy Italian from Subway.

Daniel/HRM: (laughs) Let’s do something fun. Tell me a lie about how you came up with the name. Then, if you like, you can tell the truth.

Kyle/TSP: The Sole Pursuit refers to the bands utter devotion to the anointed one, Jesus Christ, and nothing else. It is a singular pursuit. So you see, I can’t lie Daniel. (smiles)


Daniel/HRM: (laughs) Your style is suave in its Indie/Alternative approach. I enjoy the variations in the music. Was this style always your intention?

Kyle/TSP: First off thank you. I don’t think anything I’ve ever done has been described as suave before. Certainly with The Sole Pursuit, which started as a studio project, the idea was initially just to record a very diverse, but melodically cohesive, set of songs. That then snowballed into a full-fledged band and so an adherence to that song-based philosophy persists.

Daniel/HRM: Describe your music to our readers as if it was the appropriate way to enjoy a picnic.

Kyle/TSP: It’s mid-autumn and the air smells of a distant and delicious fire. The sky is a beautiful orangeish pink and you’re taking your sexual partner on a picnic overlooking your idyllic childhood town. Clouds roll in. Mouths become all peanut butter dry and you didn’t pack enough water. The mood sours. You f#ck and go home. Regardless. That night each of you sleep and dream of murdering the other, and wake knowing a love unbound and eternal. This is our EP, “Opposing Force.”

Daniel/HRM: Um… (laughs) Very interesting! When was that pivotal moment that you knew music is what you wanted to do for a living?

Kyle/TSP: I was 11 or 12 when my grandfather gave me an acoustic guitar that belonged to my aunt as a child. It was amazing. It was game over.

Daniel/HRM: What are a couple of the most exciting things about your music that you want to tell the readers?

Kyle/TSP: The Sole Pursuit is all about writing and performing catchy, meaningful, and musically dynamic SONGS. There isn’t really much pretense beyond that pretense. Live we strive to do what, in my opinion, all the greatest live rock and roll bands do and that is to go deeper.

Daniel/HRM: Is music a paying career now? If not, what is your day job?

Kyle/TSP: I cannot support my young family on The Sole Pursuit alone yet financially, no. I work in the Transportation Sector. It’s as real as it gets.

Daniel/HRM: What is in your current and near future referring to music?

Kyle/TSP: We will be gigging a fair bit in the new year and releasing our as yet untitled full-length album, which is the thing I’m most excited about.
Daniel/HRM: Do you get to tour much?

Kyle/TSP: Proper touring we haven’t really done any of yet. We play largely in Toronto but have gone beyond to other cities in Ontario. We should be doing a proper tour of Quebec in late January early February 2014.

Daniel/HRM: Nice! If you got buried by bags of wet leaves every time you thought about change and the only way to change this was to say the names of 3 artists you’d love to perform alongside of, who would they be?

Kyle/TSP: Coheed& Cambria, Dave Matthews Band, and Manic Street Preachers.

Daniel/HRM: Right now which single(s) are you currently pushing and what video are you supporting heavily?

Kyle/TSP: “Unabashedly Unafraid” and “Sedan” both have performance videos available to watch on You Tube. “Tunnel Metaphysics” will have a video made to coincide with our January and February live dates.

Daniel/HRM: Talk about your fans a bit too please. Any crazy fan stalker stories?

Kyle/TSP: Absolutely no crazy fan stalker stories. We do have a very small dedicated fan base who know every word of every song, including stuff that is yet to be released, but really I still see us as in the stage of making fans. Finding our audience.

Daniel/HRM: What about interesting and unique things you do for fans?

Kyle/TSP: Don’t know how unique it is but I love to do vines out of the studio while recording. They aren’t usually that interesting visually, but provide little audio tidbits of what’s coming.

Daniel/HRM: Nice! Is there anything else you’d like to add before we get to that last Signature question I always ask?

Kyle/TSP: As a lethargic smartass music fan in my late twenties I’d just like to say that I know how hard it can be to actually want to check out new bands, inundated as we are with so many already. However, it is my sincere feeling that you will enjoy our songs. If you are a fan of rock n roll you will be a fan of our band. Like singer-songwriters? I think you’ll like our band too. So hey, give it a shot, pals.

Daniel/HRM: Nicely said! Here’s the last signature question. Let’s say you were going through the dictionary, randomly stopping at pages and writing words and definitions down. For some reason, you found a secret code no one ever knew about. This led to the discovery of an ancient mythological civilization. In fact, you often wondered if you were part of that civilization in another life. What would that civilization be, what role did you play in its destruction and which song of yours best represents this situation?

Kyle/TSP: Love this question! That civilization would probably look a lot like ours. I believe civilization is a cyclical thing. The role I would’ve played in its destruction would probably be that of one of the millions of ignorant people furiously masturbating to internet porn while we continue to let corporations destroy the planet. Furiously masturbating.

Daniel/HRM: (laughs)Thank you so much for your time. I do wish you great success with this dream of yours!

Kyle/TSP: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me, I really do appreciate it! Absolutely awesome interview! I loved your questions!

Story and interview by

Daniel C. Morrison – Hip Rock Magazine - Hip Rock Magazine

The Horseshoe Tavern was a good place to be on the first day of summer; an assortment of local bands (Shark Week, The Sole Pursuit, The Good Fridays, Meeko Cheech, Broken Arrows) filled the classic venue with a cool mix of music.

The Sole Pursuit had the 10 PM slot, and although the Horseshoe hadn’t quite filled up at that point, those in attendance were totally into the indie alt-rock/pop tunes.

The band kicked off their set by wishing everyone a “happy fucking Friday” and playing “The Second Renaissance,” which can be found on their EP Opposing Force (2013). Up next was “Redestroyer”—a song not on the EP, though it easily melds with the style of Opposing Force—followed by the riff-catchy “It Wanes.”

The band also had an impressive amount of energy: the drummer had a look of complete engagement on his face as he smashed away on the skins, while Dawe succeeded in getting the audience clapping and singing along as he played, sung, and sweat the music out. That energy definitely bled into the crowd—evident when one girl began solo-dancing in the pocket of empty space between audience and stage, high-fiving the bassist after a song.

They ended their set on a strong note with “Unabashedly Unafraid” (interestingly, it’s the track that opens their EP) and with the audience cheering.

Some tech issues during set-up meant that The Sole Pursuit only got to play a quick set (just under 30 minutes), but you can take a listen to Opposing Force in its entirety over at their BandCamp page, and check out AMBY’s interview with Kyle Dawe above!

Leah Edwards - A Music Blog, Yea

resented by Toronto's 102.1 The Edge, FredFest was an event that brought together contest winners to spill beer, try their hand at the fooseball tables and munch on some greasy fries.
Hosted by radio personalties Fearless Fred and Mel, the exclusive show brought performances from The Sole Pursuit, Breached, PUP, and Hollerado. In a strange hazy period of time where Toronto's rock stations are searching for their own identities, it was refreshing to realize that CFNY still have the ability to organize an event that delivers such high-octane performances and offer a stage for listeners to experience an affordable evening with their favourite artists.
Before our writer arrived for the show, Toronto-based acts The Sole Pursuit and Breached each put on a killer set on the Sound Academy stage to kick off the first half of Fredfest. Luckily, our photographer was in the pit to catch shots of the bands in the act. - Sticky Magazine

It had been a while since I went to a show like the one I saw Friday night at the Horseshoe Tavern. It was clear from the advertisement for the show that the bands didn’t seem to have much to do with each other—each band seemed to have their own Facebook event, and every band at the bar seemed to have their own built-in audience who could sing along with every song the band had in their repertoire.

Still, as weird as the audience participation was, the night wasn’t half-bad.

I started the night off a little late, so I only caught the last three songs by a band called Shark Week, a Toronto/Oshawa band whose Facebook page describes them as a mix of rock, hip-hop and reggae. All three of the listed genres were pretty apparent during their set.

The band’s “MC” Curtis Hayes made for a good front man—he never failed to keep the energy up through the band’s set as the rest of the guys played a standard guitar/bass/drums setup. During the last little bit, Hayes brought a couple of fans close the mic and the three of them sang the song’s chorus. Shark Week even gave out free hard copies of their EP to the audience, which was cool of them.

Following them was The Sole Pursuit, a band out Brampton, Ontario. After a soundcheck that seemed to involve several things going wrong, the band got off to a good start. It didn’t take too long for them to get into a groove, and the audience (though filled with their own fans) seemed to enjoy it quite a lot. I certainly caught myself moving a little bit to their music—a band with standard instruments that can create a groove are always fine in my books. - Grayowl Point

Covering a band like Arcade Fire is a daunting task. Finding a balance between changing their tunes too much or not enough is a problem. Brampton band The Sole Pursuit does an admirable job on their rendition of “Sprawl II” from the iconic 2010 album The Suburbs. Frontman Kyle Dawe’s voice contrasts starkly that bird-like quality of Régine Chassagne, and the heaviness that grows exponentially through the cover’s length reflects the brilliant lyrics. - Sound Vat

On July 25, 2013 Bondo had the chance to chat with Kyle Dawe of The Sole Pursuit. They chat about being a studio-project-turned-band, the importance of song names, and Napster? Check out the interview! - CHSR 97.9 FM

In today’s Getting to Know, we meet aggressive indie rockers, The Sole Pursuit. Together, the band wants to summon a pack of pigeons to take down Kings of Leon. If you are an indie artist or in an indie band that would like to partake in a Getting to Know feature, contact editor@riffyou.com to receive the questionnaire and instructions. Thanks!

Band Name: The Sole Pursuit
Band Members: Kyle Dawe (lead vocals, guitar), AJ Perry (lead guitar, vocals), Dylan Burrett (bass) and Adam Hay (drums).
Years Active: 2.5
City of Origin: Toronto, ON.
Latest Release: Ocean Floor EP. Debut album, Infinite Regress, is out in September.

Who are you and what do you do?
“We are The Sole Pursuit, a four-member rock band from the 6… also known as Toronto if you don’t speak Drake. We make loud good and good loud.”

In 20 words or less, how would you describe your band?
“We play aggressive indie rock with a dual guitar attack, equipped with more hooks than Bob Izumi’s tackle box.”

Why should people care about your band?
“Because you can’t afford to go see all your favourite bands (especially if they happen to be Coheed and Cambria, Muse or Biffy Clyro), so we wrap it all into one show. We’re all about rebuilding that bridge that used to exist between catchy indie tunes and heavy rocking out – we don’t believe the styles are mutually exclusive. We’ve got a couple killer EPs out, but our debut album Infinite Regress is dropping this fall and we’re convinced it will change the way bread gets buttered.”

What is the most hilarious, frightening, or weird thing you have seen from the stage or while on the road?
“We were in Pennsylvania for a few shows and a giant snowstorm hit. We got cut off from our bassist who was in the next town over, so we sent our drummer and driver out in the van to retrieve him. Next thing you know they’re stuck on the side of a mountain! We thought, ‘How bad could it be?’ and flipped on the news to the headline, ‘Two Thirds of Nation Suffering.’ Gulp. It was like a bad horror film: Attack of the Band-Guy Eating Blizzard. Eventually we got the drummer back, but our bassist had to wait it out in a McDonalds for hours before being rescued. Meanwhile we practiced bass lines at the hotel and had to make it happen as a three-piece that gig. We gave it 100%…75%, technically, but still.”

If you become a band that eventually fills stadiums or arenas, what would be the most ridiculous thing you’d require backstage?
“We’d like a stage backstage, so we could practice not getting liquefied by the pyro or crushed by the giant pig balloon. Know your marks!”

Which band could your band defeat in a street fight? What methods would you use to ensure victory?
“Used to think we’d slaughter Coldplay, but they’ve been big into Game Of Thrones lately, so who knows what kind of weaponry they have lying around. Have to settle for Kings Of Leon, and we’d use a flock of pigeons to form a perimeter…heard they run away from pigeons.”



What is the most pretentious thing you’ve seen or heard from another musician/band? Did you love it or hate it?
“TIDAL’s launch event. From Jack White acknowledging the existence of computers, all the way to Madonna mistaking a table for a saddle. It was supposed to be like The Avengers of Music coming to save the day but it felt like a Target vs. Walmart debate.”

How do you feel about smartphones lighting up concert venues instead of lighters?
“Can’t people just set fire to their phones and hold the burning plastic up? The fumes alone would help us save on psychedelic lighting, though we’d probably pull an Avicii and put everyone in the hospital. Medic!”

If you had to be a tribute act for just one band, who would it be and why?
“One Direction. But we’d lie and (attempt to) play Slayer covers instead… 1D fans deserve better. Bait & Switch!”

Is it better to burnout than to fade away?
“Well Motley Crue managed to do both. I think you got to keep it dangerous. If you constantly look like you’re about to burnout and take it off the cliff, but somehow its all holding together, people can’t look away.” - riffyou.com