20 Dollars In My Pocket – The Lovelocks EP Review and Interview
The Lovelocks are ready for a new direction, an evolution, and they’re setting things in motion with their new EP, 20 Dollars In My Pocket. We caught up with Ali and Zoe on the phone to talk about their new music, their CCMA nomination, and more as they prepared for the album release.
The new 7 track EP is the follow-up to the Toronto duo’s 2016 release, Born To Love, and includes singles Staycation and their most recent radio release, 20 Dollars In My Pocket. The album also represents an evolved sound from the five-time Canadian Country Music Association nominees for Roots Artist or Group of the Year. We talked to the duo about that evolution, and they told us that listeners will still hear the same rootsy instruments on the EP (fiddle, banjo, mandolin, etc.), but that the way they’re used and produced has been updated.
We asked Zoe and Ali about making those updates and creating a new sound – specifically if they felt any nervousness about it. But, instead of hitting us with an expected yes, they told us no. The Lovelocks are all in on this album, calling it the most honest version that it could be. They added that they are so in love with the songs included that there was no way that they could be more nervous than they are excited. And excited they are. That love for the songs they recorded included some humility as songwriters when they pared down the list. In a recent Facebook post, The Lovelocks listened to more than 1,000 pitched songs and wrote nearly 100 more of their own. And while songwriters will always feel a special connection to a track they’ve written, Ali and Zoe made decisions to leave some of their own songs out, in favour of others that they believed to be better suited for the album.
During our call, we talked more about that Facebook post. With a load of honesty, The Lovelocks were open about the struggles that they’ve been through recently trying to build their career. They talked about feeling stagnant and knowing that they needed to try something new. They admitted that if it hadn’t have been for each other, they would have likely quit. But they also admitted that they are happy that they pushed forward. That it was hard but worth it. That they did things on their own terms. And just as important as any of the success that may come, they remained besties.
And they really love this album that they’ve created.
Click Here to read The Lovelocks’ full Facebook post
We love it too.
Those new sounds that The Lovelocks worked on results in a lot of fun on these new songs. And their voices still work together to great a pair. From the jump, Medicine had us moving in our chairs and captivated by the hook and groove.
The singles, Staycation (and the remix from Michael IU) and 20 Dollars In My Pocket are strong and sound great in a back-to-back format on the EP, rolling into each other and further illustrating that Ali and Zoe have made great song choices, and along with their producer, have done right by them.
The second half of the EP, Good Way To Go, Fast Forward, and Count On Me continue that trend. And when they say in their post, “So, here we stand with something brand new. It’s a new evolution of sound, a new look, a new perspective, and a new-found joy. But it’s still our truth – nothing fake and nothing manufactured.”, we believe them.
We also took a moment to congratulate The Lovelocks on their CCMA nomination for Roots Artist or Group of the Year (plus Ali’s nomination for Fiddle Player of the Year). The duo is grateful to be recognized for the music they released in the last year and honoured to be among the other nominees (Jessica Mitchell, Lindi Ortega, The Washboard Union, and Donovan Woods). At the same time though, they recognize that this may be the bow on the previous chapter of their career as they take this step in a new direction and evolution.
And while we were talking about the CCMA nominations we touched on how great it is to see women in Canadian country getting the credit they deserve. From Shania and Jess Moskaluke in the running for the Fans’ Choice Award to three women being nominated for Album of the Year (Moskaluke, Lindsay Ell, and Meghan Patrick) we are all happy to see the recognition being given to talented and deserving women in Canadian country music.
While we were on the phone we realized that in the last four years of doing interviews with The Lovelocks we had never played a round of 5 Quick Questions. So while we had them, we did it!
5 Quick Questions with The Lovelocks
Q1) If you’re on a road trip and can only play one album on repeat, which album do you choose?
A) Maren Morris: Hero
Ali and Zoe told us that Maren’s music was a source of inspiration when they hit the studio to make 20 Dollars In My Pocket, so this choice makes a lot of sense!
Q2) Do you remember the first album you bought?
A) Ali – Salt-N-Pepa: Very Necessary / Zoe – U2: Achtung Baby
Q3) Do you have a dream venue on your wishlist?
A) The Grand Ole Opry and Toronto’s Massey Hall
Q4) What is the one thing you need to have when you walk into a writing session?
A) Snacks!
Q5) Is there an artist, in any genre, that you think people should be paying more attention to?
A) Emily Reid!
We’ll see Emily at the Budweiser Country Throwdown on Thursday, July 19 – enter for your chance to win!
Before we wrapped up our call, The Lovelocks also told us that they have an exciting charity campaign ready to launch on July 14th. Look for #20Days20Dollars on their social media platforms to learn more and get involved! (Facebook / Twitter / Instagram)
Ali and Zoe also have a radio tour coming to spread the word about 20 Dollars In My Pocket as their new single, they’re planning a launch party for the early fall to celebrate the EP, and they’ve got tour information coming for shows before the end of the year.
BUT, before all of that, The Lovelocks are taking the stage at the July 20th version of the Toronto Blue Jays’ Friday Fan Festival with MDM labelmates, Jess Moskaluke, Bobby Wills, David James, and Charlie Major. As Toronto natives (the only ones on the roster) this is an exciting opportunity for the duo – and as Blue Jays fans, we’re excited for them.
Now, hit play on The Lovelocks new EP, 20 Dollars In My Pocket and leave a comment telling us which song is your favourite.
The Lovelocks, 20 Dollars In My Pocket Tracklist
1) Medicine
2) Staycation
3) 20 Dollars In My Pocket
4) Good Way To Go
5) Fast Forward
6) Count On Me
7) Staycation (Michael IU Remix)
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