Post-rock, noise-rock band Down the Lees, with roots in Vancouver, Belgium and now the Okanagan, is set to release its new album Dirt on May 3, and promote the album with live shows around B.C. in May.

The album comes after the band含羞草研究社檚 transformative phase in Belgium, marked by a 2020 European tour for their critically-acclaimed album Bury the Sun. The album was produced by Steve Albini, a recording engineer mogul who has worked with the likes of Nirvana, Pixies, The Jesus Lizard, among many others.

The name of Down the Lee含羞草研究社檚 fourth full-length album, Dirt, in part comes from the band含羞草研究社檚 B.C. connection, as it ties to their concerns for the environment affected by Okanagan wildfires.

含羞草研究社淚t shows our relationship with the Earth, climate change, and humanity含羞草研究社檚 impact,含羞草研究社� frontwoman Laura Lee Schultz told Black Press. 含羞草研究社淏eing based in Kelowna, B.C., where the Okanagan wildfires were raging, we couldn含羞草研究社檛 ignore the issue. That含羞草研究社檚 why we decided to channel our thoughts into song and action.含羞草研究社�

The band is commited to aiding recovery efforts, including donating a portion of proceeds from a special commisioned poster by Norah Bowman to the BC Wildlife Recovery Fund, Schultz said.

Fronted by Schultz, renowned for her work with multiple bands, Down the Lees was initially a solo project. It wasn含羞草研究社檛 until months of lockdowns in Europe and a return trip to Canada that current members Chris Carlson (bass) and Andy Ashley (drums) were brought on board. Together, they fully fleshed out the band含羞草研究社檚 current sound; a blend of post-rock, shoegaze, hardcore, slowcore, and no-wave.

Schultz含羞草研究社檚 favourite new track off of Dirt, titled Douse, reflects the trying time of the COVID-19 pandemic as an artist. She wrote the main riff alone when she let loose on the drums and guitars after months of lockdown. The song eventually evolved with the band含羞草研究社檚 Canadian incarnation.

含羞草研究社淎s the song started to come together, it really became my personal anthem, a constant reminder to never back down,含羞草研究社� Schultz said. 含羞草研究社淒ealing with setbacks and feeling like I含羞草研究社檓 invisible in the music scene, I constantly battle imposter syndrome. That line, 含羞草研究社淒on含羞草研究社檛 you douse my flame,含羞草研究社� came from that internal struggle. You know, as artists, especially us older ones, we含羞草研究社檙e often our own harshest critics. I needed something to hold onto, to keep me moving forward. Breaking through industry barriers feels like climbing a mountain, especially with all those outdated sexist and ageist standards holding me back.含羞草研究社�

Other topics on Dirt, produced by Jesse Gander of Raincity Recorders (Brutus, Japandroids), include imposter syndrome, resilience, ageism, sexism, depression.

含羞草研究社淵ou know, light topics,含羞草研究社� Schultz said. 含羞草研究社淚 tend to write under a microscope of what is happening in society. Which in turn, helps me cope with the struggle of being human.含羞草研究社�

Down the Lees tour dates:

May 3 - Penticton @ Clancy含羞草研究社檚

May 4 - Vernon @ May the 4th be with BBDB含羞草研究社檚 Fundraiser

May 23 - Vancouver @ Green Auto

May 24- Victoria @ Little Fernwood

May 25- Nanaimo @ The Vault

For more information on the new album, go to or follow them on Instagram/Facebook @downthelees.