Sound of the City: Old Soul Rebel releases new single, reflects on the pandemic
The Vancouver musical duo dedicates its recent shows to people who have lost loved ones to COVID-19
SOUND OF THE CITY is a series created in partnership by the City of Vancouver and Stir that showcases Vancouver’s diverse music scene, highlighting BIPOC and underrepresented artists and acts. Each edition features a Q&A and a Sound of the City playlist curated by the artists that features some of their favourite local musicians.
Old Soul Rebel
OLD SOUL REBEL is the soul-rock duo of Chelsea D.E Johnson (vocals, electric guitar) and Lola Whyte (vocals, electric banjo) inspired by their African American and First Nations upbringings respectively. It’s among a wave of rising Canadian bands that represent diversity.
Read what’s on their minds these days and listen to the pair’s Sound of the City Playlist below.
Old Soul Rebel’s Playlist
1. Old Soul Rebel - Steady Stone
2. Chase the Bear - Heartache
3. Strange Breed - Closer
4. Apollo Suns - Dark Night
5. Erica Dee - Me and the Moon
6. Michael Wilford, Chelsea D. E Johnson - Scotch
7. Saveria - Harsh Lights
8. Tank and the Bangas - Ants
9. Dua Lipa - Pretty Please
10. Mother Mother - Body
11. Missy D - Yes Mama
12. Snotty Nose Rez Kids - Boujee Natives
13. Nimkish - Twice
14. Buckman Coe - Malama Ka ‘Aina
15. Soul Square, Jeff Spec, Ghettosocks - Hear Ye
16. Frédéric Chopin, Janina Fialkowska, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra - Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11: II. Romanza Larghetto
How are you feeling about life right now?
(All answers by Whyte) Currently taking entry-level medical school. Absolutely love it. Old Soul Rebel is also releasing our new single, “Steady Stone”. Also absolutely love it.
How has the pandemic affected your work?
Old Soul Rebel was lucky enough to be included in the re-imagining of what shows became during the pandemic. In spite of it all, we continued to receive show offers throughout the 15 months, albeit all on-line. It was an absolute honour to be apart of the evolution and immortalized on film during such a memorable global moment in time. Big shout out to everyone who helped keep music alive!
Work aside, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who lost a family or friend during the pandemic. We dedicate the last year and a half of Old Soul Rebel shows to you.
What are you working on right now? Do you have any plans or projects lined up for 2021?
Old Soul Rebel just released our new single, “Steady Stone”!
Where are you finding solace and comfort?
From what? The inherent suffering of life? lol. Meditation is my shelter, pandemic or not, so that’s where I "go" to find comfort. If we are talking about the sharp turn the pandemic took us on, I actually enjoyed that. Swerve. I appreciated the low-sensory environment the pandemic provided. I think the whole world needed a bit of a time out to do some deep inner work, not to mention face our mortality as a species. Never cute, but probably needed.
What are you most looking forward to once the pandemic passes?
I’m down for whatever.
What song or album has been in your heavy rotation recently and why?
Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia. Such a fun album.
Can you give a shoutout to one of your favourite Vancouver musicians or artists? What about them inspires you?
Hmmm… artist? How ’bout ..your mom? Moms are always inspiring.
What would you like to see change in Vancouver?
Nothing. Planet Earth is what it is. Good luck, everyone.
Who is your dream collaborator?
The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
You’re writing to us from 2055... What does the future hold?
In 2055, slugs are running things around here. You are out there killing them with beer now, but just wait. Those retractable tentacles on the tops of their heads with light-sensitive eye sensors in them set them apart from the get go. While you thought they were out in the garden eating your kale, they were plotting revenge. Humans paled in comparison all along. Like honestly people, when was the last time your “eye stalks” moved independently from each other and also doubled as your nose?
There’s still time for you to stop senselessly killing other creatures, just saying.
Who else would you like to see curate a Sound of the City playlist?
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
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