21st Century Music: Tallies
21st Century Music are playlists and profiles that focus on artists that have released their music since 2000. These highlight new(er) acts that continue the sound and spirit of the older acts that are the focus of Ceremony. Click on the streaming service of your choice below to listen to the playlist as you read along.
If you like the shoegazey, jangle pop of the early ‘90s then you’re bound to like Toronto’s, Tallies. Their debut, self-titled LP came out in January 2019 and was one of the strongest, most pleasant listens of the year. Blending solid pop melodies with Sarah Cogan’s fervent, echoey vocals riding over washes of bright, layered guitars, Tallies has picked up on a sound few Canadian bands have explored – at least not since Rose Chronicles back in the ‘90s.
Cogan (vocals, guitar) formed the band with Dylan Frankland (guitar) while they were attending Algonquin College together. The band came together with its rhythm section with the addition of Frankland’s friend, Cian O’Neill, on drums and then Stephen Pitman on bass. Having built their reputation within the Toronto music scene they’re signed with local indie label, Hand Drawn Dracula, run by James Meija.
Tallies sound reminds me at turns of bands like Lush, The Sundays (the band acknowledges them as a big influence on the album), and Innocence Mission. If you’re like me and love an unabashed pop album with a throwback feel, but infused with fresh energy and a contemporary vibe, check out Tallies. In these COVID times of uncertainty and apprehension, it is music like this that will help get us through.
UPDATE May 2023: Since posting this original profile in 2020, Tallies returned in 2022 with their second album, Patina. It continued their dream pop, shoegaze infused pop, with more impeccably crafted gems. The LP kicked off with, “No Dreams of Fayres,” an immediate rival to any of their best tracks from the debut LP. “Memento” was also another strong entry.
As they’ve promoted the new LP, I’ve had the pleasure of catching them live twice, with a third show coming this fall in an opening slot for The Ocean Blue – talk about a great double bill. It is always a pleasure to promote a local band, and Tallies continues to be one of the best Toronto acts around.
My pics from seeing the band in Toronto at The Garrison (July 2022) for the record release party for Patina, and then at Lee’s Palace (February 2023).
The Playlist - song \ album (year)
“Mother” \ Tallies (2019)
“Midnight” \ Tallies (2019)
“Trains and Snow” \ Tallies (2019)
“Eden” \ Tallies (2019)
“No Dreams of Fayres” \ Patina (2022)
“Hearts Underground” \ Patina (2022)
“Special” \ Patina (2022)
“Memento” \ Patina (2022)
