Recorded in just under two weeks, Alannah and her band meticulously explored ideas and made deliberate musical choices to create Grizzly Coast‘s transformative debut album, Staying Power. By contrast, Party of One was recorded in one weekend without so much as creating a demo beforehand. 

The result of bucking down and taking things more seriously? An album that Alannah is incredibly proud of, one that sounds exactly how she envisioned it. Staying Power is a testament to growth, commitment, and the power of trusting oneself in the face of life’s uncertainties.

“Two Balloons” was inspired by Alannah’s relationship with her husband, Kyle, and features a video of gorgeous footage shot at the couple’s wedding. 

I liked the idea of calling us “Two Balloons.” I thought about kids at a carnival who get so excited to get a balloon, and then just forget about it and let it fly off into the skies, forgotten. The lyric “we are two lost balloons at heights they never knew” uses that imagery to portray how we were left behind by others, but in finding each other we reached new and unexpected heights. – Alannah Kavanagh

The recording process at Dreamhouse Studios with Alexandre Bonenfant was incredibly rewarding. Alex fostered an exploratory environment that encouraged risk-taking and creativity. His support allowed us to transform spontaneous ideas into concrete musical elements, making the recording experience both dynamic and collaborative. We experimented extensively with guitars and keys, moving away from rigid plans and allowing the music to evolve organically.

This album has taught me the immense effort required to spin feelings into songs and release them into the world. It tells a story of boldly claiming the life you want to lead by staying true to your values and facing the unknown with courage. – Alannah Kavanagh

Auteur Research

“Sweet” is a song for the sentimental. Born from a dream out of the blue about someone Alannah knew as a teenager, it got her thinking about how you don’t have to be in touch with someone to remember them fondly. Sonically, “Sweet” is filled with ambient and shimmering textures that mirror the dreamlike state that inspired the song.

Auteur Research