The Strange Valentines

Categories: Groups and Duos, Songwriters/Composers

Genres: Adult Contemporary, Alternative, Folk, Rock

Contact

Janet Mills
2877 Montague St
Regina , SK, S4S 1Z3

Mobile: Show phone number

Description

Blend the heart of an ‘80’s Australian rocker with the soul of a maritime kitchen partier, and you might get a sense of the brand of ‘folk music for the twisted soul’ that is the duo, The Strange Valentines. Based out of Regina, Saskatchewan their strong melodies, soulful stories, quirky humour, and rich harmonies, has been described as if the Kinks jammed with Fleetwood Mac using only acoustic instruments in a folksy type backdrop. They are currently sharing music and promoting their 5th album ‘Society of Good Intentions’ released February 14, 2018.

David Farrell is an accomplished guitarist previously part of the Australian rock circuit touring and playing with various bands, opening for such major acts as INXS and Canned Heat. Janet Mills was born into Nova Scotia kitchen parties, and plays mandolin, mandola, and piano, but of course, not all at the same time. The two met randomly in Atlanta, Georgia and struck a chord, so to speak. Spanning oceans and attempting music over Skype provide for a few stories in songs reflected in their music.

The ‘Society of Good Intentions’ is the fifth album for The Strange Valentines and the second since moving to Saskatchewan. Album sounds have been a journey from more electric rock sounds to more acoustic folk in this latest effort lending an honesty and rawness via acoustic guitar and mandolin.

Both members share lead and harmony vocals. David Farrell’s warm, engaging somewhat Tom Petty-ish tones, or the sweet haunting passion of Janet Mills, perhaps reminiscent of Helen Reddy, tell stories in songs of personal struggle, nostalgia, and what might have been, with rich blended harmonies and some quirky twists. Ranging from the depths of ‘Bad Day’, the despair of ‘Valentine Vampire’ to the triumph of ‘Tortoise’ or being lost in ‘The Rural Abyss’, songs have an element of intimacy, inviting a feeling of sharing one’s soul over toast and tea. 

News

  • The Strange Valentines to Release 6th Album June 1st

    The Strange Valentines to Release 6th Album June 1st

    April 16, 2019

    ‘Odd Angled Love Songs for Humans’ to be released June 1st by The Strange Valentines with iTunes pre-release set for April 25th.

    David Farrell’s acoustic guitar ranges from thoughtful and sweet finger-picking to angsty with attitude folky-blues to express the various stories of the album. Janet Mills adds mandolin or Irish bouzouki as the two alternate lead vocals and beautifully tight harmonies. This album is more minimally produced than previous efforts by The Strange Valentines and it feels a little more up close and personal in the listening.

    With 15 songs on this album, there are indeed love songs like ‘Venus and Mars’, but there are also a couple quirky political songs, such as ‘Fixed Our Wagon’, some hope in ‘If the Sun Don’t Shine’, and maybe just one song that ends in tragedy with the story of ‘Eugene’ who writes a song. Poor guy.

    Then there is the surprise ending with a ukulele duet that is absolutely raw and heart-wrenching in its purity with a song called ‘The Girl in the Rain’.

    With the iTunes pre-release, folks can get the album for half price and get 2 immediate gratification songs starting April 25th up until full release June 1st. The album release party will take place at the Creative City Centre in Regina on June 1st at 8:00 pm (doors at 7:30).

    Here’s a live version of track 2 ‘If the Sun Don’t Shine’ https://youtu.be/SMWSSq5ZaSU for a peek of what’s to come.

    The Strange Valentines will be heading West for a couple of shows and then East for an Odd Angled Tour that will take in BC, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and the United Kingdom.

    Follow their comings and goings on their:

    website https://www.thestrangevalentines.com/home 

    Facebook  https://www.Facebook.com/thestrangevalentines

    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/strangevalentines

    Twitter https://twitter.com/Strange1Valenti

    Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/2byvpI4x9Bixve1hhQ66uS?si=RyEZWD88SW-xDwm70hLVfQ

    YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRp_OtJXUtFd_9suSCgVRdQ

     

  • The Strange Valentines release single and video for their song 'Rural Abyss' August 1st

    The Strange Valentines release single and video for their song 'Rural Abyss' August 1st

    July 31, 2018

    August 1st, the Strange Valentines release ‘Rural Abyss’ as a single with video from their album ‘Society of Good Intentions, released February 14, 2018.

    The song is described as ‘An energy driven folk/rock/blues song about the destitution and quirks that exist in truly rural settings, with grinding guitar licks and a hard driving melody’.

    Find video here https://youtu.be/rdHftWfKzXs

    This is a great driving song with a touch of sass.

    Of the song Rural Abyss - ‘Grindingly beautiful guitar licks and Americana Country Folk vocals that bowl you over’ – Amelia Vandergast of A&R Factory.

    Shot in Regina with some really fun-minded folks with amazing senses of humour, this video was produced and put together by David Farrell of Feral Studios.

    The duo The Strange Valentines are an 80’s Australian rock heart and a maritime kitchen party soul that produce folk music for the twisted soul. Based in Regina, Saskatchewan, their strong melodies, soulful stories, quirky humour, and rich harmonies, has been described as if the Kinks jammed with Fleetwood Mac using only acoustic instruments in a folksy type backdrop. They are currently promoting their 5th album ‘Society of Good Intentions’ (released February 14, 2018) in the ‘Good Intention Tour’ that took in the UK and Maritimes over the month of August.

    Website

    https://www.thestrangevalentines.com/home

    Instagram

    https://www.instagram.com/strangevalentines

    Facebook

    https://www.Facebook.com/thestrangevalentines

    Youtube

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRp_OtJXUtFd_9suSCgVRdQ

    Spotify

     https://open.spotify.com/artist/2byvpI4x9Bixve1hhQ66uS?si=RyEZWD88SW-xDwm70hLVfQ

     

  • The Strange Valentines embarking on a live video series ‘Live in the Tiny Tub’!

    The Strange Valentines embarking on a live video series ‘Live in the Tiny Tub’!

    April 4, 2018

    This series is a bit of an oddball stunt meant for a bit of fun in various bathtubs. The idea is to film The Strange Valentines performing a song live from different bathtubs volunteered by good people of Regina (or other locale) they find themselves. A different song from their regular set-list, from a different bathtub for a unique musical experience with admittedly awesome acoustics! Get ready for ‘Live in the Tiny Tub’ as a monthly bit of fun, beginning April 15! Posted on our website, Facebook, youtube, and whatever other social media platform you like to view The Strange Valentines, check it out or maybe volunteer your bathtub to be part of it!

  • The Strange Valentines to release fifth full CD on Valentines Day

    The Strange Valentines to release fifth full CD on Valentines Day

    January 10, 2018

    The ‘Society of Good Intentions’ is the fifth album for The Strange Valentines and the second since moving to Saskatchewan. Album sounds have been a journey from more electric rock sounds to more acoustic folk in this latest effort lending an honesty and rawness via acoustic guitar and mandolin.

    Two lead voices; David Farrell with warm, engaging tones, or the sweet haunting passion of Janet Mills tell stories in songs of personal struggle, nostalgia, and what might have been, with rich blended harmonies and some quirky twists. Ranging from the depths of ‘Bad Day’, the despair of ‘Valentine Vampire’ to the triumph of ‘Tortoise’ or being lost in ‘The Rural Abyss’, songs have an element of intimacy, inviting a feeling of sharing one’s soul over toast and tea.

    ‘Society of Good Intentions’ was recorded, produced and mastered in Feral Studios, Regina Saskatchewan by David Farrell. Full release will be available for preorder on iTunes January 18, full release February 14, 2018.

    An intimate release party is happening at Sawchyn Guitars featuring the Stillhouse Poets on Valentines Day (February 14, 2018). Tickets will be available for purchase at Sawchyn Guitars (306-522-6348) and include a CD and/or digital download.

     

  • The Strange Valentines: New Album Coming!!

    The Strange Valentines: New Album Coming!!

    January 31, 2017

    'Folkin Rock for Rockin Folk' will be the fourth album for 'The Strange Valentines' and this effort represents somewhat of a shift in style for the duo. Perhaps the recent move to Saskatchewan is responsible as many of the songs appear to have prairie inspirations. The music is somewhat of a musical mix of folk, rock, blues, and plays with great guitar, mandolin and banjo sounds. The two vocalists each sing main vocals and/or rich harmonies over a range of styles. Twelve songs on the album include themes of involving small towns, cold weather, jerks of the world, life in Saskatchewan, and a spider. It's a fun album and worth a listen. Due to be released in February/March 2017.

     

    For more info about the duo: https://www.thestrangevalentines.com/

     

     

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Videos

  • The Snoop Sisters

    Here's a song about two wonderful ladies who were affectionately known as the 'Snoop Sisters' as they drove a yellow Turcell all over town attending various card parties and tea drinking excursions. It is a preview song from our upcoming album, due to be released shortly. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it.

  • Cold Winter Blues

    Here's a live version of a single from the album 'Folkin Rock for Rockin Folk' being released on March 25. Recorded, mixed and edited by Brent Nielsen and shot at Sawchyn Guitars. 

  • I Hope the Riders Win Tonight

    Latest video 'I Hope the Riders Win Tonight' from the album 'Folkin Rock for Rockin Folk' about basing important life direction sort of decisions on the outcome of a Riders game. Go Riders!

    Camera by Hartland Jessome and Brent Nielsen and edited by Brent Nielsen, shot in Regina.

  • Bad Day

    Filmed in Regina, this song is about feeling bad when everything looks ok on the outside.