“The multi-part, three-years-in-the-making suite 'Context: Fearless Pt. 1' may well be one of the most overt Rush tributes ever attempted, with a direct musical nod to 'Red Barchetta' and modal riffing straight out of the Alex Lifeson handbook."— Rolling Stone

“Clocking in at a glorious seven minutes and 45 seconds, Crown Lands' epic, sci-fi-laced ‘Context: Fearless Pt. 1’ is a mic-dropping display of virtuosity, and serves as a reminder of why rock, when done right, still kicks ass” – CBC Music

07 MAY 2021 (TORONTO, ON) – Today, Juno-nominated, Canadian rock duo Crown Lands – Cody Bowles (vocals and drums) and Kevin Comeau (guitar, bass, and keys) – announce a new partnership with Spinefarm Records. The band are in good company, joining labelmates and fellow Canadians Death From Above 1979.

For the first order of business, Universal Music Canada and Spinefarm Records together, proudly present two brand new live versions of Crown Lands previously released, acclaimed tracks “Context: Fearless Pt. 1” and “Right Way Back” today. Listen to “Context: Fearless Pt. 1” and “Right Way Back” live here. The live recordings are released alongside the performance video for “Right Way Back.” Shot at Revolution Studio in Toronto, Canada, the video sees Crown Lands in their element, delivering the energy and big sound of their live shows. Watch the performance video here. Fans now have a chance to experience Crown Lands live set up-close-and-personal as the band have optimistically announced a hometown show on December 1, 2021 at the Axis Club (Formally The Mod Club). Tickets are available now on Ticketmaster.

The original versions of “Context: Fearless Pt. 1” and “Right Way Back” premiered with Rolling Stone on March 11. The two original tracks brought Crown Lands back to their prog-rock roots while connecting them to their legendary countrymen Rush, the band that served as their initial inspiration, in ways they never could have expected. “Context: Fearless Pt. 1” in particular is a full-circle moment for Crown Lands as their admiration for Rush is returned back to them by three producers who were vital to Rush’s iconic career.

Early last year, Crown Lands revisited “Context: Fearless Pt. 1”, a song they had been working on for years. They cut early demos with Terry Brown, Rush’s producer for ten years – a dream come true for two massive Rush fans. After touring and performing the song live, it got sharper - so they decided to re-record it. This time around, they travelled to Nashville to collaborate with Nick Raskulinecz, Rush’s producer in their later years. “These guys are the two most important producers in Rush’s career,” says Comeau. But the day before the scheduled session, Rush’s legendary drummer Neil Peart died after a fight with brain cancer. Crown Lands assumed the trip was off, but Raskulinecz texted them with a message: “you guys need to carry the torch—you need to come down here.” In the studio, the producer brought out a drum kit that Peart had used on the 2007 Snakes & Arrows album for Bowles to play – in what they call “the most spiritual experience in my life.” Finally, to produce the vocals, the duo hooked up with David Bottrill—who remixed Vapor Trails, Rush’s 2002 comeback record. “He’s the mythical third Rush-associated producer,” says a disbelieving Comeau. “This one fucking song had the triad of Rush producers!”

The second new song, “Right Way Back,” is a tribute to Peart that came almost effortlessly. They brought it to Nashville as a rough demo, working out the chorus and writing the lyrics on the spot. “It’s about the feeling of trying to carry on from where your heroes left off,” says Comeau.