french canadians is tobby lykins, jesse henson, and jamin finlaw.
the concept for the name french canadians stemmed from a conversation between henson and lykins where henson made the comment he was listening almost exclusively to canadian artists at the time, which prompted lykins to mention he had been listening to french music. hence, french canadians as a musical concept was born.
the style mixes the guys' various musical influences. henson brings more of an organic feel, whereas finlaw brings digital/EDM/production & engineering savvy while lykins merges a little bit of everything in a way only he can.
the normal process for completing a song consists of an idea sent digitally among the guys, each working separately and adding his own bit. as an example, the track K.I.D. (long live the king) was an iPhone voice memo of the chorus words and melody recorded late one night by henson and sent around. a very simple idea. lykins took that small bit and created a produced track. finlaw took that and produced it even further. a couple years later the 3 got together in finlaw's studio and henson had the idea for the verse melody. within half an hour the lyrics were written and the final vocals you hear on the track were recorded. finlaw further produced/mixed/mastered and after about 3 drafts, the song was done and published. it is among the group's favorite tracks ever worked on because it was so collaborative and the lack of expectations or vision for a final product allowed full creativity among all three.
the track "going through the motions" is henson's proudest musical accomplishment for a very different reason. the song was conceived back in the gloribox days. lykins had the piano riff laying around and henson became obsessed with the melody. he wrote some very personal lyrics and had a grandiose vision for a complete song. during a period of time when lykins was overseas in japan for a period of several months, the band (gloribox) worked up an impressive live version of the song. over a decade later, the final product was completed using various digital assets and advanced editing/production, yet very closely matches henson's original vision, showing the willingness of all three guys to either help one another pursue a vision or fully collaborate and create something unexpected.
from years of working together on various projects, the three have a chemistry cemented by a bond of friendship which is hard to explain.
going through the motions (lyrics)
come sit down here, don't say a word. i've been listening so long today that i am numb. words come crashing into my skull but it will take a while before i know which way to go.
hearts and bombs explode, changing all we know. it comes and goes until we think we know. i followed through but then i failed again and again.
aches are running all through my brain. i'm bending over backwards trying not to make a mistake. but shaky hands will make mistakes. it will take the pills awhile to medicate the pain.
hearts and bombs explode, changing all we know. it comes and goes until we think we know. i followed through but then i failed again and again.
come sit down here don't say a word. i've been listening so long today that i am numb.
music: lykins
words: henson
production: finlaw and lykins
radiation love
just stop. or don't stop. how we ever gonna begin?
caught up. or caught in. tell me how you thought it would end.
radiate my love
can't you radiate my love?
we will burst beautifully for everyone to see
can't you radiate this love?
no bright lights or last act
nothing left to do but give in
it's too late or too fast
how we ever gonna begin?
radiate my love
can't you radiate my love?
we will burst beautifully for everyone to see
can't you radiate this love?
this love.
music: lykins
words: henson and lykins
production: finlaw and lykins
K.I.D. (long live the king)
long live the king. the king is dead.
into my head
they come and visit with me every night
they come and tell me that they want to be friends, that they want to be free, that they'll stay in the light
out of my head
i'm asking questions but you're starting a fight
you're trying to tell me about new rules, blue jeans, long lines
long live the king
the questions flying in the face of your lies
i want to take all these new fools preaching true peace... good try
the king is dead
it's time to listen or it's your turn to die
you want to hear about old school. i told you it's not gonna fly.
long live the king
music: lykins and henson
words: henson
production: finlaw and lykins