Matinee

After 15 years of criss-crossing the continent, the Vancouver based group could be forgiven for growing tired of life on the road—endless drives and sleepless nights. "We don't like to sit still for too long," laughs Layzell. "You kind of get used to life in motion, and I think I depend on it for the stories that we write about." In a world full of distractions, the band realized that their trusty tour van held the key to sustaining their career and embarking on a new chapter.

Seizing a break in their touring schedule, the band's four founding members— Layzell, Matt Rose (guitar, vocals), Geoff Petrie (guitar, vocals), and Peter Lemon (vocals, drums) —set off on a wild excursion through the majestic Pacific Northwest in search of inspiration. As they roamed the winding coastal roads, the band's creative shackles crumbled, paving the way for an outpouring of melodies and lyrics that filled a communal notebook and were rehashed in motel rooms each night. It was in the untamed beauty of nature that they found themselves and a new lease on their artistic life.

"As soon as we crossed the border and realized we didn't have a schedule, no real destination, we just started bonding in a way that I think we had forgotten about," recalls Rose. "There was no pressure to be anywhere at any particular time, and I think that allowed us to soak in the experience a little more deeply and remember what it's like to be four lifelong friends."

The journey took them to Portland where they caught up with their friend Whitney Rose (whom they shared countless stages with while each honed their crafts during a stint in Toronto) before continuing down the coastline to explore the natural wonder that is the dunes. "I'm always the one trying to convince the guys to stop and play tourist when we are on tour... this time 'round they couldn't really say no," adds Layzell. The ever-changing landscape of the sand dunes became a perfect metaphor for the road trip and their quest for a new perspec