Alex Little & The Suspicious Minds drive down memory lane with dynamic strength and intimate awareness on “Across the City,” a stirring pop/rock song that’s as catchy as it is helplessly relatable.
“Across the City” – Alex Little & The Suspicious Minds
And if you walk across the city, you’ll find the pieces of me…
There’s nothing quite like traipsing through the story of your own life: Exploring the places that defined the person you became, and the wealth of memories – people and actions included – that come to the fore as you travel through your past. For Alex Little and her band The Suspicious Minds, that journey is as physical as it is metaphorical and emotional: A trip through Vancouver that elicits a vivid, powerful response in sound and song. Alex Little & The Suspicious Minds drive down memory lane with dynamic strength and intimate awareness on “Across the City,” a stirring pop/rock song that’s as catchy as it is helplessly relatable.
We’ve walked this road for hours
We’ve walked this road for hours done with you
I wish I understood why
The more I drink the more my body’s blue (oh oh)
And if you walk across the city
You’ll find the pieces of me
Potentially in the ground (oh oh oh oh)
And if you walk across the city
You’ll find the pieces of me
Potentially in the…
Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering the music video for “Across the City,” the latest single from Vancouver band Alex Little & The Suspicious Minds. The four-piece comprised of Little, Andy Bishop (White Ash Falls, Twin River), Cody Hiles (The Zolas), and bassist Mike Rosen, Alex Little & The Suspicious Minds debuted last March with a rollicking, garagey introduction titled “Black Haze,” which was followed shortly thereafter by a dynamic debut EP, No Control. A year later, the band’s new singles “Broken Bones” and “Across the City” find them returning with the same uncompromising energy and commitment to honest, edgy, and meaningful lyricism. Call them indie rock, garage pop, what have you – this is one band who refuse to be overlooked, and they’re making their talents known one irresistible song at a time.
“‘Across the City’ is a memoir of growing up in Vancouver,” Alex Little explains. “I had the privilege of living in many neighbourhoods in the city (Commercial Drive, Mount Pleasant, Kerrisdale, Chinatown, West End, Hastings Sunrise) which came to be parts of me in their own way. Still residing here, I get overwhelmed by how much each street reminds me of a story from my childhood and adulthood – no matter what area I’m in. It makes day to day tasks more interesting but also harder, as some things are painful to be reminded of. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It just makes Vancouver ripe for stories, memories, and emotions. Another theme of the song is the excruciating feeling of loneliness in a room of people. It’s truly perplexing when you’re around family and friends but inherently feel alone – but the city was always on my side as a silent ally.”
Little and band inject passion and feeling into “Across the City” as the song progresses, driven as much by the vocalist’s searing output as by Cody Hiles’ relentless drumming. It’s a cavalcade of buoyant rock charm that keeps spirits high, even if there are some cracks below.
There’s dust upon your eyelids
Your blood is crimson heart is made of stone
I wish I understood why
When I’m with you the more I feel alone (uh oh)
And if you walk across the city
You’ll find the pieces of me
Potentially in the ground (oh oh oh oh)
And if you walk across the city
You’ll find the pieces of me
Potentially in the…
Accompanying this effervescent music is a homegrown video capturing Little’s real life growth from then to now. “The video for across the city was compiled from footage found on the camcorder I had as a kid,” she explains. “I would just sit quietly in the corner for hours and film people, zoom up on their faces, or just whatever caught my eye. Then when the preteen/early teen years started, it was all about lip syncing to Avril Lavigne, Pink, and The Josie and the Pussycats soundtrack. My best friend at the time and I would just film each other singing in my room, sober, for hours. I was trying to capture the magic of adolescence with this footage – the song has a certain emotional quality between the chord changes and the lyrics – and I think the images and the music play off each other in a beautiful way. I miss the innocence and creativity of this age, before all your insecurities swallowed you whole, and you were truly free. Featuring all my childhood best friends, family, and some sneaky cameos. Thanks to Adam Sabla for the edit and making my vision a reality.”
Shots of the past and present swim together in a three minute escape that feels as exciting as it does poignant; it’s always powerful to watch the puzzle pieces that make up a person’s life, be they stranger, friend, or family. For Alex Little to have her own soundtrack to this experience adds its own weight, making “Across the City” a uniquely special watch.
And if you walk across the city, you’ll find the pieces of me
Potentially in the ground (oh oh oh oh)
And if you walk across the city you’ll find the pieces of me
Potentially in the ground
“Across the City” speaks to all of us, because we all have our own pasts to look back on, and they are all complex and multifaceted in their own special way. Whether you find this journey to be as physical as it is for Little, or perhaps more based in the realm of memories alone, this video is worth the few minutes it will take of your time. Stream “Across the City” exclusively on Atwood Magazine, and stay tuned for more from Vancouver’s Alex Little and The Suspicious Minds in the months to come!!
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“Across the City” – Alex Little & The Suspicious Minds
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