Long road back from tragedy
FUTURE UNCERTAIN: You Say Party’s first album in six years after drummer’s death
Although You Say Party has ended its hiatus, Becky Ninkovic isn’t certain about what lies ahead.
The group releases its first album in six years on Friday, which is a triumphant first step in getting back into action, but Ninkovic doesn’t know if there will be a second.
The hiatus was prompted by the sudden death of drummer Devon Clifford from a brain hemorrhage in 2010. At that time, the band had released three increasingly polished albums since 2006 and had toured madly as You Say Party We Say Die.
After Clifford’s death, the band dropped the We Say Die part of its name and all but dropped out of sight itself. There was a reunion and a few guest spots, but the band felt it needed a break and, in cofounder Stephen O’Shea’s words, “work on who we are as people.”
“It was a really long process,” Ninkovic recounted.
“In our 20s we were touring. There was a lot of energy and a different dynamic.
“Our perspective changed radically and shifted. I think we realized we were at a place where we had to rethink it all.
“Personally, I was done,” she continued. “My health just couldn’t take it. That life took its toll on me. Combined by grief and stress, it took a while to recover.”
For Ninkovic, this culminated in her becoming a mother. Daughter Vera just turned three.
“I wouldn’t be talking to you if I couldn’t perform anymore. I have a lot of good feelings about this.
“I thought I had closed the door and locked it, but I have no idea if I can do it again.”
Ninkovic’s uncertainty is offset by the resolve the band demonstrates on their album, which is simply titled You Say Party.
The grief lingers, and that made it difficult to resurrect the group. It was time, though. The current band of Ninkovic, O’Shea, Derek Adam and Krista Loewen started playing again and discovered they had an album in them, jamming satisfactorily without a drummer.
“We’ve been trying to keep going,” Ninkovic said.
“We started jamming and realized we had a good batch of songs.
“There were no plans. At some point, the songs took on a life of their own. We realized we were comfortable with this.
“We talked a lot about what we needed and what we imagined.”
Led off by first video, Ignorance, and new single, Underside, the album subtly reveals a band that has grown as individuals over six years.
Call it maturity or sophistication, but You Say Party’s brashness has been replaced by reflection.
“I’m in love with this new album,” Ninkovic stated confidently.
“Our CD launch party is going to be more like a listening party.” This will be Feb. 20 at The Lido. It’s a free event.