Canadian surf sister trio Erica (guitars/keys/vocals), Julie (bass/vocals) and Lenore Maier (drums/vocals), known collectively as The Garrys, shared their delightful new single release, “Get Thee to a Nunnery” across streaming platforms on June 4th. Produced by Dallas Good of The Sadies fame, it is also the title track off their forthcoming album scheduled for a September release, courtesy of Grey Records.
“Baby you’ve been bad, so bad / Baby you’ve been bad bad bad, so bad / Girl you’d better pray, before they put you away / Girl you’d better pray pray pray pray, before they put you away.”
On first hearing this one, I was struck by the immediate and seemingly effortless nature of the track. There is an easy flowing vibe masking a deeper lyrical exploration of the push-pull of rebellion and redemption that accompanies a religious upbringing and the guilt associated with temptation that will be all too familiar to Catholic school children in particular. “You’re breaking your mama’s heart, baby / They hardly even know you lately / Could you straighten out now, maybe / Gotta get thee to a nunnery.”
The trio explain that both the album and single were inspired by tales told by their mother about her teenage years spent at an all-girls convent boarding school in small-town 1960’s Saskatchewan. Maybe for that reason there’s also something of a reverentially nostalgic feel to the music, with the bands’ signature surf-sound being influenced by a diverse array of sources, from the classic surf riffs of The Ventures, the drama of Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti westerns, the dreamy psychedelia of Kurt Vile, France Gall’s brand of mod-pop cheek, and the lo-fi garage noir of Los Saicos.
“Get Thee To A Nunnery” is a great teaser of new music from The Garrys, and if the rest of the album turns out to be equally exceptional, this could be one of the coolest records you’ll add to your collection this summer. I encourage you to listen.
Photo Credit: Courtney Tuck-Goetz
Music has been a lifelong passion, a journey that as a child embraced the late 60's counter culture and has lasted until the present day. Despite trying to play guitar for the best part of 45 years, to his own frustration, never much beyond the first four bars of “Stairway to Heaven.” A self-confessed vinyl junkie, his other interests include collecting music memorabilia, old Muhammad Ali fight programs, and watching film. He lives alone in Nottingham (England) and still uses the term “Groovy” - these two facts may be intrinsically connected.
