Interview: From Vancouver Island to Toronto’s Streets – Tristan Armstrong’s “The Lonely Avenue” Captures Urban Catharsis

The title track of Tristan Armstrong’s forthcoming album (available early 2025), “The Lonely Avenue,” is a cathartic release of rock-and-roll energy inspired by the dualities of urban life and a longing for home. Written during his early days in Toronto after moving from Vancouver Island, the song melds raucous rhythms with an undercurrent of melancholy, creating a dynamic sound that captures the bittersweet transition of leaving behind the familiar to chase a dream.

Rooted in rock, indie, and roots traditions, “The Lonely Avenue” showcases Armstrong’s signature guitar-driven aesthetic, blending a Queens of the Stone Age-inspired groove with vintage rock-and-roll swagger. Produced in part at Lincoln County Social Club with John Dinsmore and recorded in Armstrong’s Toronto basement studio, the track features lush mellotron strings and chugging guitars that evoke both grit and nostalgia.

I wanted this track to be a good time – a release of rock-and-roll abandon that’s cathartic for me and fun for listeners. “The Lonely Avenue” captures the energy of urban life and the yearning for something deeper. – Tristan Armstrong

1. What did you enjoy most about the recording process of this new release?
Recording and finishing a track is always a learning experience for me, every single time.

For “The Lonely Avenue” we tracked the drums at Lincoln County Social Club, a studio run by engineer John Dinsmore in Toronto. Following that day of drum tracking, I recorded the guitars, keys, and vocals as many of the greats had done…stretched over a long period of time toiling in my basement! I’m quite happy with the guitar tones that were achieved. I had the luxury of being able to put a mic in front of a cranked amp, something that many urbanites do not have the license to do with neighbours in such close proximity.

Being able to work in that environment, with no deadline, and no volume restrictions was a fun part of this project. I think when you listen to the track you can tell…it’s loud!

2. Share a nugget of advice that has resonated with you most over the years.
Nobody does you better than you, so don’t try to be someone else.

3. Who would be your dream artist/band to co-headline a tour with?
Being the opener for a Spoon tour would be a dream for me. They’ve been one of my favourite bands over the past few years. Each time I see them live is better than the last. I think their audience would dig my tunes. Spoon – let’s do this!

4. What sets your music apart from others in your genre?
I find that a challenging question because most of the time I’m not even sure which genre I’m in.

I understand it serves a purpose, but hyper-defining things into very specific genre titles is something I’ve always found irksome. I fear that labelling things too much creates divisions. Generally people have been calling me an “Americana” artist. I’ve been calling “The Lonely Avenue” a Clash meets Roy Orbison jam. So there ya go!

5. Tell us what your favourite song is at the moment and why.
“Jumpstarting” by Deer Tick is a tune I’ve been super into as of late. It’s a song about friendship, and people being there to prop you up when you need it. It’s got an awesome guitar part that is in an altered tuning borrowed from Nick Drake. Also, the track rocks hard!