Kenton Loewen's highly anticipated solo album, Petrol Matches Boom, is set to arrive May 24, 2024 via Drip Audio. Created amidst the challenges of a worldwide pandemic, Loewen collaborated with his longtime friend and producer Jesse Zubot to craft a collection of deeply personal songs that delve into themes of obsession, depression, and old-school heartbreak.

Recorded on Vancouver Island, the album captures the essence of Loewen's musical journey, with him taking the reins on vocals and most instruments, while Jesse Zubot skillfully produced in his home studio. The recording process unfolded during multiple lockdowns, reflecting the resilience and creativity sparked by challenging times.

The album's sonic landscape features raw, garage-recorded drums juxtaposed with basement instrumentals from The Deep Bay Bunker. Loewen's collaboration with legendary guitarist Marc Ribot, renowned for his work with Tom Waits and John Zorn, adds a fiery touch, particularly showcased in searing guitar solo’s scattered throughout the album.  British synth guru Matt Robertson, known for collaborations with Björk and Arca, also contributes to the album from his Canadian Island residence.

Kenton Loewen, a multiple Juno nominee and winner, has made significant contributions as one of Canada's premier improvising drummers, collaborating with luminaries such as Gord Grdina, Ken Vandermark, François Houle and Mats Gustafsson. Known for his rock drumming in Dan Mangan + Blacksmith and as the original drummer of Mother Mother, Loewen's solo work marks a captivating journey into singer-songwriter territory, a continuation of his past projects, including The Crackling.

A word from Kenton Loewen about Petrol Matches Boom:

Try to capture the hallucinogenic experience of the wild cognitive dissonance observed in the human world through the lens of obsession, depression and old school heartbreak. Drink mezcal, take mushrooms, smoke cigarettes and record during a world wide pandemic. Start recording at 4am and make bloody sure that everything including your god damn self is out of the way in the process so that it’s right. Record in a snowstorm on the Canadian west coast when you can no longer see your truck. Stoke the fire and record until the power goes out then take a flashlight and go hallucinate on the creatures in the ocean and the view of the moon. Shoot video of mowing lawn at 2am and later fall down the embankment because you tried to get closer to the shimmering whale. Record when you lose what’s left of your self and you’ve become an empty vessel. Record incredible musicians that give so deeply of themselves to the work. Record with one of your closest friends who’s truly a genius and consider that reality while reflecting on a scene that’s built conversationally in hyperbole. I wrote this music trying to keep it together and Jesse and I mostly lost it while bringing it to life. I thank him dearly for his tireless, obsessive work. Perhaps this record is simply a document of catharsis or maybe honesty just looks too fucked up to recognize anymore.

Don’t forget to cry laugh.

KFA!

Love, Kenton