Vancouver’s Debra-Jean Creelman Releases Optimistic “Heavy Blow,” the Focus Track from Jazz and Blues Inflected Experimental ‘Ego Death’ LP

Vancouver experimental pop singer-songwriter Debra-Jean Creelman is releasing Ego Death, her brand new LP which is a musical odyssey of soul and jazz which transcends both time and space. Penned and recorded amidst the final days of the COVID-19 lockdown period, this album emerged from a place of true collaborative spirit. 

After coming up with the concept of horns to provide the main harmonic foundation in lieu of typical band instrumentation, Creelman sent a few song ideas to renowned experimental trumpeter JP Carter (Destroyer, Dan Mangan). Together with producers Jo Hirabayashi (Jo Passed) and Sean Cronin (Very Good), they created the foundational demos.

Ego Death features focus track, “Heavy Blow,” an optimistic and buoyant song which includes R&B infused vocal arrangements. Speaking of the song, Creelman references the drum groove in Al Green’s “So Glad You’re Mine” as the song’s impetus.

Creelman’s music centres around the feeling of not making sense in this world, and trying to figure out a way to exist here without causing too much harm. Marrying vulnerability with collaboration is nothing new to Creelman, who first gained recognition as an original member of pop auteurs Mother Mother. While she is now known for her solo work, the chemistry with her former bandmates is undeniable, who feature on Ego Death.

In her own words, the album serves as a vehicle for “examining the idea that we can look at our trauma and adversities as things we choose to learn from in this life.”