Tag: Megan Marcoux

Starting a New Chapter — The City Lines Have a Fresh Lineup and Roster of Summer Shows

Victoria Horne, Johnny Scott, Bob Zammit, and Pat Deneau of The City Lines. Photo – Danny Burton.

The City Lines are starting a new chapter.

The Ann Arbor-based alt-rock band recently added two new members, lead guitarist Johnny Scott and bassist Victoria Horne, to their lineup. They join vocalist-guitarist Pat Deneau and drummer Bob Zammit.

“There is a total synergy on the stage now,” Deneau said. “It’s really fun playing these songs closer to the way that we recorded them, with the lead guitar parts and some basslines that are moving a little bit. Victoria and Johnny are bringing energy to the stage that I really feed off.”

The band also recently announced three shows for this summer, including May 30 with Joe Jordan at The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, June 25 with Cracked & Hooked and Pillow Princess at Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti, and August 6 with A Thousand Horses at Lager House in Detroit.

The City Lines will perform songs from their growing catalog, which includes last year’s Prescribed Fires album and two prior releases.

“We’re a new band to a lot of people who are maybe going to wonder how we got three records out under their nose and why there are as many listenable songs,” Zammit said. “It’s because we’ve been working really hard on that end of it, and now, through the support of the community, we can support folks and be helpful.”

To learn more, I spoke with the band about their new members and live shows.

Continue reading “Starting a New Chapter — The City Lines Have a Fresh Lineup and Roster of Summer Shows” →

Fighting Fires with “Fires” — The City Lines’ New Album Explores Heritage, Mental Health, and The Environment

Pat Deneau, Bob Zammit, and Megan Marcoux of The City Lines. Photo by Crista Deneau.

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Ann Arbor District Library’s Pulp blog and has been expanded for this publication.

Pat Deneau sings about the adrenaline rush he gets from work and music on the song “Hits the Same.”

The musician-firefighter’s heart pounds as he climbs on a firetruck with the Ann Arbor Fire Department, or sets foot onstage with The City Lines and sings, “I don’t know what I’m doing here / But my heart is racing / Is this the price to feel so alive?”

“When I’m singing those lines, I’m almost picturing like I’ve got the hose line in my arm, and I’ve got my buddy on my back pushing me in and the fire’s pouring overhead,” said Deneau about the anthemic opener from the Ann Arbor trio’s new album, Prescribed Fires. “It feels exactly the same as flipping the standby switch on the amp, and the volume control is up and the cymbals wash.”

“Hits the Same” also sets the compelling narrative for The City Lines’ third album, which explores parenthood, career, mental health, heritage, and the environment.

Through that narrative, the alt-rock band shares cathartic experiences that confront the past and promote future growth. Metaphorically, it’s akin to a prescribed fire, an environmental stewardship practice that relies on controlled flames to restore health to ecosystems.

“And so we’re writing honest music about what this is like,” said Bob Zammit, drummer for The City Lines. “I accept that some people are not going to connect to it because it’s theoretical for them—they’re not in that space. But my sincere hope is that for some people who are, there’s not 100 records released in Southeast Michigan that cover the same topics.”

Prescribed Fires examines those topics through existential lyrics, heartfelt vocals, and bold instrumentation.

“We’re talking about some heavy stuff here, but the production on the record is so upbeat,” Deneau said. “It sounds kind of late ‘90s, early 2000s rock, and I think that’s a cool juxtaposition. I think that worked out really well for this collection of songs.”

Deneau, Zammit, and Megan Marcoux (bass, flute, vocals) will soon share that new collection of songs during an October 24 album release show at Ziggy’s in Ypsilanti.

I recently spoke to Deneau and Zammit about Prescribed Fires ahead of the band’s show.

Continue reading “Fighting Fires with “Fires” — The City Lines’ New Album Explores Heritage, Mental Health, and The Environment” →

Missing You — Detroit’s Twin Deer Explores Loss and Grief on New ‘Underground’ Single

twin-deer
Twin Deer’s Rob Duncan, Megan Marcoux, Bill Kahler, and Tom Skill explore missing a loved one on “Underground.” Photo – Cassie Pietron

When it comes to loss, Twin Deer deeply understands the grief that remains.

The Detroit quartet of Megan Marcoux (vocals, guitar), Tom Skill (guitar), Bill Kahler (bass, synth), and Rob Duncan (drums) explores that overwhelming emotion and the ongoing struggle to move forward on “Underground.”

“It is a pure description of missing someone immensely,” said Marcoux about the group’s new dream-pop single.

“Sometimes the clarity lies in simplicity, like the line, ‘It’s not right you’re not around.’ And in the second verse, we reference how life is fragile. I find that important to mention—not to cause distress—but to remember to value the time we have.”

Backed by cathartic electric guitar, bass, and drums, she sings, “It would be nice to hear the sound / Of your voice saying you were coming around / It would be nice / If I wasn’t exhaling ice / I’m standing on the frozen ground.”

“I hope others will see that there isn’t always some profound thing that needs to be said,” Marcoux said. “Missing someone is already a lot.”

“Underground” also serves as an introspective B-side to Twin Deer’s “Fever Dream,” which was released in June.

To learn more, I spoke with Marcoux about Twin Deer’s latest singles and past releases ahead of a July 13 set at Alley Fest in Flint, Michigan.

Continue reading “Missing You — Detroit’s Twin Deer Explores Loss and Grief on New ‘Underground’ Single” →