New Music Reviews

The Anti-Queens Electrify with New Album ‘Disenchanted’ and Captivating “Overthinking” Video

  • May 18, 2024
  • 3 min read
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The Anti-Queens Electrify with New Album ‘Disenchanted’ and Captivating “Overthinking” Video

Antiqueens, overthinking, punk rock

Toronto’s premier punk rockers, The Anti-Queens, have made a triumphant return with their latest LP, “Disenchanted,” accompanied by a striking music video for the track “Overthinking.” Released globally in digital and vinyl formats via Stomp Records, this album solidifies their place as a dominant force in Toronto’s music scene. Fronted by the dynamic duo of Emily Bones and Valerie Knox, the band brings an unapologetic punk-rock energy that challenges the male-dominated industry. Their reputation for electrifying live shows, characterized by relentless energy and commanding stage presence, is well-deserved.

“Disenchanted,” recorded at Drive Studios in Toronto by Steve Rizun and Dave Baksh, continues the band’s tradition of delivering infectious, hook-laden anthems. Fans of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The Distillers, Hole, L7, Lunachicks, and The Warning will find themselves right at home. The album, penned by Bones and Knox during the pandemic, explores themes of vulnerability, self-reflection, and the quest for self-worth and motivation. The band lays it all bare, offering a mix of light and dark, bright and dreary, magical and melancholic.

The standout track “Overthinking” is paired with a captivating music video, directed by Michael Crusty and Valerie Knox and produced by Crusty Media. The video, filmed by Michael Crusty and Sarah Mathieson and edited by Crusty, stars Emily Bones, Valerie Knox, Michael Crusty, Zoe McMillan, Ivy Bones, and Maggie Knox. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Uxbridge, ON, the outdoor scenes, shot in August 2023, exude the warmth of carefree summer days, perfectly encapsulating the song’s theme of navigating the mental maze of overthinking. The band reflects, “Overthinking is about the mental spiral of stressing over things beyond our control. We wanted the music video to visually echo this theme. The summer scenes capture that carefree happiness you feel when spending a warm, sunny day playing with your dog in the company of a best friend.”

The video’s emotional depth is further enhanced by the contrast between these joyful moments and the introspective indoor scenes filmed in January 2024 at GS209 in Etobicoke, ON. The full-band segment, shot in a brightly lit white room with the members dressed in all-black attire, dramatically heightens the visual contrast and intensifies the mood. The use of projection techniques during the indoor shoot, where the summer footage is overlaid onto the studio walls as the band performs, creates a visually stunning harmony that seamlessly blends both worlds, enhancing the narrative resonance of the music.

“Disenchanted” is a powerful testament to The Anti-Queens’ ability to evolve while staying true to their punk roots. With its infectious melodies and raw emotional depth, this album is sure to resonate with both long-time fans and newcomers alike. Check out “Overthinking” below:

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Chris Ryan

Chris Ryan is an accomplished promoter, event planner, producer, activist, counselor, poet and blogger. Within the course of two and a half years Chris Ryan has worked with some of NYC's most established promoters/event planners, been named 2007′s GaySocialite of the year, granted a promoter of the year award from NYC's most famous gay establishment, Splash. He's worked in some of NYC's top venues including; Avalon, Capitale, Cipriani, Cielo, Pacha, Element, Le Poisson Rouge, XL, G Lounge, Plumm, Hilton Hotel, Indigo Hotel, Spirit, Myst/Quo, Splash, The Ritz, Vlada, Roseland Ballroom, Heaven, etc.In 2008, Chris Ryan has begun to unveil some of the most innovative & unique parties New York City has ever seen. The Fusion events "fuse" together all disciplines of art into an event that remains diverse yet cohesive at the same time. ChrisRyanNYC.com won best gay promotions website from NYC Event Patrons in 2008 & he was granted an award from the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Gov. Patterson & Michelle Clunie (QAF) saluting him for his hard work in nightlife. Chris Ryan has also begun working with many renown companies, including; doctors, lawyers, physicians, modeling agencies & more. Chris Ryan has been responsible for wide-scale promotions for all these companies & generating tremendous business. Chris Ryan has even started to become National with events taking place in LA & Miami this year.In May of 2009 Chris Ryan received the very prestigious honor of being named a "40 Under 40″ Gays in America by the Advocate Magazine. He also created three successful parties that generated over 1,500 patrons each. In January of 2010 Chris Ryan was featured as one of the top promoters to look out for in Noize Magazine Chris Ryan joined forces with legendary promoter/event producer, Lee Chappell and created one of the most talked about events of all 2010, Desire @ Capitale. Chris Ryan and Lee featured one of the most outstanding artists NYC has ever seen, "Oh Land." Her performance coupled with an exquisite and unforgettable set design added to this extravagant event that held over 1,000 patrons in one of NYC's most successful PRIDE events! Chris Ryan then joined forces with legendary Pacha promoter, Rob Fernandez in addition to Jake Resnicow and Tommy Marinelli to bring one of the largest and most successful parties worldwide to NYC, MATINEE. The event on Governor's Island saw over 2,000+ attendees and one of the most ambitious productions ever.In 2011 Chris Ryan started Emerge Music Promotions with business partner Darren Melchiorre. Emerge Music promotions began signing artists with plans to develop and market the artists to the community at large. Emerge Music promotions has big events planned for 2012 and 2013. Chris Ryan debuted the IMAGE events which took place on top of two of NYC's most beautiful rooftop venues, Rare View and Indigo Hotel. The events were blogged everywhere and featured the fashion designs of several clothing designers, artists and photographers. Chris Ryan felt that fashion and art should be displayed at every event and attracted the likes of Malan Breton, Calvin Klein and even Katy Perry. Chris Ryan began an extremely successful event which incorporated the concept of a house party into a nightclub atmosphere. The event Twist'D at G Lounge has been one of the most talked about events in NYC and allows it's audience to play nearly-naked Twister, beer pong, flip cup & more with other attendees. Chris Ryan was granted an excellence in volunteering award from AVP (Anti-Violence Project) for all his efforts in supporting the organization.2013 has a very promising landscape on the horizon and Chris Ryan is complacent in saying "you haven't seen anything yet!"

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