“I’m Cancer, and I’ve been a bit introverted for the past few years. The thought of suddenly coming back in front of so many people makes me a little nervous,” he added.

“I won’t put too much energy into astrology, Kev,” the band lead singer Ed Robertson joked at the typical moment of Barenaked Ladies’ frivolousness.

Other members of the band said that as the epidemic’s health restrictions eased, they are eager to return to the concert stage. They will perform two performances in the United States this summer, and their first post-blockade performance will be held in Canada on September 16. The band will begin a UK tour in the spring of 2022.

“For me, I’m very excited about it,” said Taylor Stewart, the band’s long-time drummer. “I feel like I can’t wait to start doing this again, because after 18 months of not doing it, I realized that being with these people and before people perform is part of my identity.”

Despite reservations, Hearn added that he is also very much looking forward to bringing excitement to the live audience performance again. “The energy will be amazing.”

Watch | Barenaked Ladies on the excitement of returning to the stage:

Not that Barenaked Ladies have been idle for the past 18 months.In the early days of the blockade, the band launched their Selfie cam jam Series on YouTube.

They re-examined the choices in the catalog and recorded the various parts at home. Then they sent them to their friend and filmmaker Edward Pound, who tailored all the material together to create the illusion of a virtual live performance. This is an ongoing pandemic project that provides entertainment for fans but also helps the band.

“I know that many people are struggling with mental health, including ourselves,” Robertson said. “So it’s a way to stay busy and stay focused on the positive amidst the series of bad news we have all received.”

“This is something to look forward to,” Stewart added. “It’s also a good way to connect to our catalog.”

Watch | nude ladies selfie cam jam, If i have a million dollars:

For band members who have spent a lot of time on the road in the past 30 years, the life of an epidemic is an adjustment. Spending unprecedented time at home with family members is good, but there are also difficulties.

“It’s great,” said bassist Jim Creeggan. “I’ve never done so much. We started having family meals together.”

Stewart agreed, but added that adjusting to family life is not easy.

“You are used to not being around, and your partner is used to not being around, right? So when you are around, you know that this is a kind of relearning of how to be together often.”

During the pandemic, Hearn had to make different types of difficult adjustments.

“My daughter has special needs. She lives in a home with five other children,” he said. “For more than a year, I am not allowed to hug her or hold her hand. It’s really difficult.”

Only two weeks before the interview, Hearn was able to see her again.

“I held her hand and signed up after a while, and then she started laughing and smiling. It’s really exhilarating, yes, it’s beautiful.”

Mandatory detour

The pandemic also disrupted the recording of the new Barenaked Ladies record, Forcibly detour, Released on July 16.

In March 2020, the band thought they had finished recording, but due to the health restrictions of COVID, they had more time to reflect on their work, and they realized that there was more work to be done.

“We finished the first part of the record in Ed’s cabin. The sound was very small, only the band in the room,” Stewart said. “Then everything was cancelled, and we had the opportunity to watch and listen to it. We felt it needed more.”

Once the band was able to get together again, they went to Noble Street Studios in Toronto with producer Eric Ratz, who is known for his outstanding hip-hop and rock works.

“We took a detour, do you know?” Stewart said. “Make a detour.”

The band expressed their satisfaction with the finished product-a mix of highly produced songs and more natural live recordings.

“You have a song like flip It’s a completely contemporary work, but you have a picture like Live well That’s when we play live off the court and in the cabin,” Hearn said.

Mandatory detour It has the unique Barenaked Ladies sound that fans expect, and a lot of weird word games. But this does not mean that the subject matter is illusory. Some of them involve the expression of the political and social era in which we live.

flip Explore the ways in which people are stubborn and unable or unwilling to accept other opinions.

New disaster It’s a rant about the bad news that hit us in the 24-hour news cycle.

“This is an interesting song because it was written before the pandemic,” Robertson said. “It was written specifically for the previous administration of the United States. It has always felt like a series of madness. This is the source of inspiration for this song.”

Watch | Barenaked Lady music video, New disaster:

Hall of Fame Induction

While responding to the personal and professional challenges posed by the pandemic, the band members have also been dealing with their past problems, which surfaced again during the 2018 Canadian Music Hall of Fame introduction.

They are grateful and grateful for the honor of the Hall of Fame, but the initiation ceremony and the reunion concert of former member Steven Page means to relive the troubles of past members’ desire to leave.

“I mean, we haven’t been on stage with Steve in 10 years, and we have almost never really spoken except through lawyers,” Robertson said.

“A lot of people have their own opinions on what it looks like and what it means. For me, it’s really stressful.”

Watch | Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies talks about reunion issues:

Barenaked Ladies singer Ed Robertson talked about the difficult situation of the band being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2018. He said he found it stressful to reunite with his separated band member Steven Page. 0:58

A large number of issues in the media regarding the possible permanent reunion with Page need to be addressed.

Stewart said he handled it with satire.

“My answer is always,’Yes, do you know? Santa Claus is real, mom and dad got back together after the divorce. All this will be great,”‘ said the percussionist, apparently still frustrated with the media attention Reunion three years later.

Robertson added: “Until later, far, far away, frankly, a lot, you know, treatment, can you put it in context, really connect it, be proud of it and enjoy it.” “It took a long time. .”

When they left all this behind, the naked ladies showed no sign of slowing down. For a band that breaks new ground as an independent artist, becomes an international leaderboard champion, and is now a Canadian institution, this is an unlikely trip-for a novel band that was once considered an interesting name by some people, This is not bad.

According to the band, there is no real secret to their longevity.

“We love and respect each other,” Robertson said.

“There is something special when we perform together, and we respect that. We respect our audience. I think gratitude is one of the reasons we have been here. And in our careers, more than ever. , I think we’re able to enjoy only the advantages of it and ignore the things we don’t like.”

Watch the full episode of “National” Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Gem, CBC’s streaming service.