We Are Ardent

Canadian rockers We Are Ardent are gearing up to release their new EP Bright Shadows From Dark Lights on November 20th. Today we’re excited to bring you the exclusive premiere of their fiery lead single “The Time Is Now.” The track builds from mysterious, melodic verses to an intense and powerful chorus.

The band had this to say about the song:

“It was one of the first songs we wrote with the kalimba. Josh threw some guitar chords on top and we played around with it for a while. I started to write these fast-paced, hip-hop like lyrics that were loosely inspired by the film “This Is The End” that we’d recently seen. The song was originally called “Fast Talk” because of how quick the vocals are. We also really showcase Justin’s drumming skills in this song by having him solo before the last chorus. When we play it live, I can tell how tight the band is that night by how well we stay together during this particular part of the song.”

Rock out to the track below and stay tuned for more leading up to the release of the new EP! - Groundsounds

We Are Ardent is made up of four awesome Canadian rockers – Justin, Josh, Kat, and Matt. Along with playing the usual instruments used in rock music, like drums and guitar, We Are Ardent also incorporates kalimba. This exotic instrument is a type of thumb piano made out of bamboo. Kalimbas are widely popular in African countries and add a unique sound element to We Are Ardent’s already aesthetically pleasing rhythm.

Their music has a very Christian rock feeling with a heavy side of alternative indy. Kat Kerley, lead vocalist, has incredible violet hair and something to say about the meaning behind the bands lyrics, “We have all suffered at points. We realized how music gave us a sense of community in those times of need and we hope to do the same… advocating for equality and respect for individuals.”

We Are Ardent’s new single off of their fresh EP, which is set to be released in mid-November, focuses on redemption and the importance of facing your fears. “The Time Is Now” is the first track released from their new EP Bright Shadows from Dark Lights. - wordkrapht

The definition of ardent is to be “enthusiastic and passionate”. The second definition is, “burning, glowing”. In the case of Canadian band We Are Ardent, both definitions are fitting. It foreshadows their beaming and effervescent sound. The band features Josh Brazeau on guitar, vocals and occasional bass, Kat Kerley on vocals and kalimba, Matt Dalton on bass and occasional guitar, and Justin Brazeau on drums. On November 15th they will release their latest EP “Bright Shadows From Dark Lights”.

While their musical influences sound vast, one can hear Evanescence, Weezer, The Smashing Pumpkins, Vampire Weekend, Jane’s Addiction, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Three Days Grace. Their sound is at times heavy with grunge and indie rock influences and African polyrhythms. Beyond that, there’s always a bright undercurrent – something inherently upbeat, optimistic, and promising. Their sound is exspansive and genre bending giving them the advantage of being able to appeal to rock lovers, heavy metal fans, the indie demographic, and even pop punk listeners.

Born from love, We Are Ardent began with brothers Josh and Justin Brazeau. And as the story often goes, they met people along the way. In this case, Josh met singer and musician Kat Kerley and the two began dating. Adding a versatile and unique musical palette, each player incorporated their own idiosyncratic ear and tastes and created a cohesive and extensive sound.

“Low” is the first song on the EP. The double vocals of Josh and Kat are sublime truly complimenting each other. They use beautiful inflections, smooth tones, and blend exceptionally well. The duo sings, “Holding on, fading out, I had a smile but I feel a frown.” The end of “Low” is like an anthem with a chorus of voices repeating the lyrics “I feel low sometimes. That’s alright you’ll be fine”. It sets the tone for the EP, setting a precedent of the genuine and conscious music that is We Are Ardent.

In the same vein, “Young and Giants”, the second song on the album is a moment of introspect. They sing, “We were young. We were giants.” Enough space is given in the meaning of their songs. It allows the listener room to make their own conclusions. This makes their songs easy to relate to and understand. Their lyrics are not always lengthy yet their brevity is part of the effectiveness.

“Vultures” the fourth song on the EP features Kat on lead vocals. Her voice is smooth, easy to listen to, with subtle cadences and riffs intermixed in her vocal style. She sings with intensity, depth, and sincerity. There’s something slightly sad in her tone yet triumphant and resolute. This allows her the ability to sing and truly be understood and felt. It makes her effective at bringing lyrics to life and at attacking the melody – her message comes across. She is a great vessel for the musical essence of the band. She indeed sings with passion and fire, her voice glows. She is ardent.

Overall “Bright Shadows From Dark Lights” is a commendable work with many highs and exciting moments. My least favorite songs on the EP are “The Time Is Now” and “Nameless”. “Nameless” has a great chorus but the rest of the song left me a bit unsatisfied. However, there’s not a bad song on the project. In all, the entire EP is of quality and worth a thorough listen. This is an album to download for the Fall. It’s perfect for a car ride, walking around, and as background music for a get together. Although, really it’s great for anytime.

I’m excited to hear more from them and to see them live sometime in the future. Stay up to date on Facebook and Twitter. You can listen to music on Soundcloud and Bandcamp. Find cool band pictures on their Instagram. Watch video on their Youtube page. And find more information on their website. - This Is Not The Radio

Ardent is defined as enthusiastic, passionate, glowing or burning and at first glance, seems like a strange choice for the name of a band. However, indie alternative rock band We Are Ardent manages to pull it off and lives up to its name across the board. Hailing from Ontario, Canada, We Are Ardent members Kat Kerley, Matt Dalton and brothers Josh and Justin Brazeau, are set to release their latest effort, Bright Shadows From Dark Lights on November 20th, 2015.

Bright Shadows From Dark Lights opens in classic alt rock style with “Low.” The positive vibe of this track against something innately darker is a common theme throughout the release and quite possibly defines the band’s overall message. With a prominent male vocal in Josh Brazeau successfully shadowed by Kerley’s smooth female voice, “Low” is a song about surviving the valleys in life offering lyrics such as “We all feel low sometimes/That’s alright/You’ll be fine.” “Young and Giants” is my favorite track on Bright Shadows From Dark Lights. Uptempo, reflective and outright anthemic, Brazeau and Kerley’s vocals are brought together again and express the emotion and energy needed to relay lyrics such as “Where were you when I needed you the most/Afraid to come in and see me lying with my ghosts.” “Quiet Like Noise” begins down tempo with simple guitar strumming before introducing listeners to the kalimba, an African thumb piano which most could easily mistake as a xylophone. Brazeau takes the helm here vocally delivering most lyrics in a gruff tone with Kerley overlapping at times which offers some balance.

The mid-point of Bright Shadows From Dark Lights brings us to “Vultures” which hands the vocal duties solely over to Kerley. On its surface, with lyrics like “Palpable misery/Air of despair/Pleasantries history/Long past repair…And they call the vultures to rip my flesh/They know you wont hear my cries,” it appears to be a dark, depressive song. However, it is really a testament to survival in the face of life’s harshest challenges. Musically, the guitar is the star as this track opens with some sultry playing to accompany Kerley’s vocals and there is a moving guitar solo at about the 3/4 mark of the song. Lead off single “The Time is Now” opens with the kalimba maintaining the beat with a rhythmic pulse before the guitar enters to introduce the female lead vocals. Don’t be fooled by the relatively soft musical start to this track as it will go on to build an unmistakeable alt grunge rock sound. Brazeau’s deeper vocals are subtle but present on the chorus chant of “Fall/Fall on your knees/You best believe that you’ll be judged tomorrow/What did you do with the hand you were dealt/The time is now/You better cry for help.” Bright Shadows from Dark Lights wraps with “Nameless” which comes right out of the gate with electric guitar and drums blazing creating an initial impression reminiscent of Nirvana. The vocal style creates a back and forth, almost conversational tone between the two singers in places. Lead vocal duties are handed back over to Brazeau who utilizes a huskiness that borders on growling but that is softened by Kerley’s backing vocals in a way that works, but that does not overwhelm listeners.

Co-lead singer Kat Kerley once said “We have all suffered at points. We realized how music gave us a sense of community in those times of need and we hope to do the same…” To say they have succeeded in doing so is an understatement. We Are Ardent has managed to channel earlier challenges that brought them together producing a release in Bright Shadows From Dark Lights that represents the content. With lyrics that generally reflect on past pains proving that some things always remain, there is simultaneously an uplifting message in their sound that demonstrates that the light can shine through even if you carry some of the scars with you. With Bright Shadows From Dark Lights, We Are Ardent is part alternative, part grunge and all indie rock. If this 6 track EP is any indication of what they’re capable of, We Are Ardent will be a force on the indie alt rock scene for as long as their passion glows. - Indie Minded

C’mon. You have to love a band who’s one letter away from being an Argent tribute.

I kid. In reality, there’s no way We Are Ardent would ever be compared to Rod Argent’s post-Zombies group; their sounds are disparate, but not in a bad way. We Are Ardent’s edge is quite refreshing for a 2015 band, in fact. Ten years ago, they would have been in a saturated market of bands rocking hard and going nowhere, blending into the radio background. But now, the guitar-laden, hard-rock monopoly has been overtaken by auto-tuned R&B and pop. In short, We Are Ardent is a sound for sore ears, particularly when they take their music to the next level with South African rhythms and instruments like the kalimba (heard here on “Quiet Like Noise” and “The Time Is Now”).

Hailing from Canada, one of the band’s other unique calling cards is the inclusion of both male and female voices, giving its songs even more depth. Beginning with the energy-fueled “Low,” We Are Ardent bumrushes through six songs, including the racing “Young and Giants” (add this one to your running playlist), and the fleshed-out “Vultures,” featuring vocalist Kat Kerley, sounding just a tad Katy Perry-ish (in a good way, I promise).

As cohesive and as solid as this collection is, the best part might be the lyrics and inspiration behind its musical release: the band members bonded over being bullied, and together realized the impact it had on their well-being as adults. “We have all suffered at points,” says Kerley. “We realized how music gave us a sense of community in those times of need and we hope to do the same… advocating for equality and respect for individuals.”

So hold your head up (woo-oo-ooman), take a listen to We Are Ardent, and if you’re in the Toronto area, be sure to catch them October 17 at the Hideout as part of Indie Week Canada! - Popdose

Canadian act We Are Ardent have released a new song called "The Time Is Now" off their new album "Bright Shadows From Dark Lights". They use a unique style of genre taking alternative rock wit the use of South African polyrhythms. Check out the new song by going HERE. - nataliezworld

Canadian band We Are Ardent is releasing the EP Bright Shadows from Dark Lights in November. The six numbers from the EP are certainly “ardent”—they are enthusiastic and burn with passion. Josh Brazeau (guitar, vocals, bass), Kat Kerley (vocals, kalimba), Matt Dalton (bass, guitar), and Justin Brazeau (drums) have put together a set that provides listeners with well-executed, familiar sounds with unique twists that makes them stand out.

Bright Shadows from Dark Lights opens with “Low”, an alternative rock, heavy electric guitar-led melody which accompanies dual male and female vocals; the former is gritty and contrasts well with the latter’s more crystalline tone. The lyrics are empowering, of the “this too, shall pass” mindset, with the chorus promising: “Feel low/Sometimes/That’s all right/You’ll be fine.” The same electric guitar leads the way into “Young and Giants”, of similar build but with a different sound. It feels that there could have been a lot more power in this track, but something is holding the band back. It seems to be an ode to hopefulness and action that defined their younger years, when they “were young”, “were giants”, and “were lost” but “at least trying”. These lyrics are bound to make older generations think about what happened to their drive and ambition, and perhaps rekindle it.

The balance between the two sets of vocals is tipped in favor of the male ones in “Quiet Like Noise” which come off as husky and throaty. The band makes use of a kalimba in this song, a thumb piano from the southern parts of Africa. In contrast, “Vultures” puts the focus on the female vocals in a ballad like number led by plucked electric guitars. Despite some very dark lyrics—such as “Palpable misery/Air of despair/Pleasantry’s history/Long past repair”—there is a sense of power within the melody that leaves listeners with a sense of hope.
The slow burn of lead single “The Time Is Now” continues after the track is over. Starting off with a melody plucked on the kalimba, it builds up with an electric guitar, drums, and female vocals—which, although accompanied by the male ones, are the centrepiece of “The Time Is Now”. The EP closes off with “Nameless”, a rocking grunge number with a throbbing beat that features the male vocals once again. Despite the darkness of the themes in the EP, Bright Shadows from Dark Lights manages to stay somehow upbeat and optimistic. Tracks are available for streaming on SoundCloud. More information about the band is available on their official website and Facebook page. - blogcritics

Bright Shadows From Dark Lights is the album that We Are Ardent have given into based on their influences. What started with brothers Josh Brazeau and Justin Brazeau who became influenced by Nirvana until Kat Kerley came into the picture. The sound for We Are Ardent developed into a whole other field that was less expectant but highly welcomed. Even though hard-core acts have been coming and going through the early 2000’s.

As the band fully came together with Matt Dalton, We Are Ardent some how found this way of connecting the dots of influence and yet not copying the riffs that have been done over again and again. By exploring their own individual way, what comes to mind is that hard-core can be done right and not overly screamo. Particularly this EP has the issues many young adults have dealt with in past bullying, problems within relationships and generally in your early 20’s life isn’t everything everyone has told us down the line. Coming to terms with that by writing an album has never let anyone down, however, those ideas and selections of topics have inspired kids along the way to feel less alone. Becoming more connected to the music itself and discovering that there are others out there struggling just as hard.

You do not have to worry about the lack of chemistry with this band. It feels sometimes that bands are not as connected as they say or pretend to be. That is until you’ve listened to a band that has been friends and known each other for years. Friendship does involve comradery that alone shows through.

Bright Shadows From Dark Lights holds 6 songs. Six tracks that nonetheless deliver as a hardy punch and a flash back to a time where music was more beloved and listened to on the radio than a typical ‘having music just playing in the background for noise’. - indiemunity

Canadian rock quartet We Are Ardent recently released their latest single, “The Time Is Now,” which sets the tone for their authentic blend of alternative rock and South African polyrhythms.

With a larger-than-life chorus that seems to build without overpowering the overall tone, the track is an intense wave of melodies backed by infectious verses and killer guitar riffs.

“The Time Is Now” serves as the lead single to the band’s forthcoming EP, Bright Shadows From Dark Lights, set to be released Nov. 20. Give the single a listen and let the heavy-hitting harmonies of We Are Ardent wash over you. - Occur

To prepare for their forthcoming album, Bright Shadows from Dark Lights, Canadian quartet, We Are Ardent dropped their single “The Time is Now” via Ground Sounds. The blog described that the track “builds from mysterious, melodic verses to an intense and powerful chorus,” and we couldn’t agree more.

Unique is an understatement of a description when talking about We Are Ardent‘s sound. Think rock with a mix of South African flare – oh, and throw in some 90’s grunge in there. The band includes sounds from the guitar, bass and drums and even a kalimba, all shifted between male and female singers.

“The Time is Now” is a new track off the bands forthcoming release, Bright Shadows from Dark Lights, which will be released 11-15-15. To get a feel for what Bright Shadows from Dark Lights will sound like, take a listen to some tracks by We Are Ardent below via Soundcloud. - epic productions

Welland, Ontario band, Ardent is an alternative rock band that is made up of 4 members, Josh Brazeau (Guitar/ Vocals) , Justin Brazeau (Drums) , Dorian Grey (Bass) & Kat Kerley (Vocals). The band released their debut EP entitled “Ardent” on February 11th. The 3-song EP does a great job at showcasing the band’s talent.

The first song, “Breed” features the vocals of both Kat & Josh. Their voices compliment each other perfectly. The song has a heavier rock sound, and the band has the ability to almost entrance you just by listening to their music.

“Run” is the next song on the EP. It’s a lighter rock song that rests between pop & rock. This is the song I would recommend to someone who hasn’t heard the band. Again, the vocals blend together in a flawless way. The beat in this song is almost infectious, and the lyrics are ideal to sing along with.

The final song is “Aliens & Afterlives”, which is a staggering 5 minute and 46 second masterpiece in which showcases Kat’s voice. I can see that this song would appeal to fans of many genres. It’s one of those songs that seems to tell a story in the lyrics, which is something that strongly appeals to me.

The EP, although shorter than I would have liked, is perfectly put together. You can almost feel the bond between the band members, as they compliment each other in an unbelievable way, whether you’re talking about the mixed vocals or the way the instruments pull the song together wonderfully. I can’t wait to hear more from Ardent in the future.

Rating: 4/5 - Jenna Melanson, Canadian Beats

Ardent, a four piece alt-rock/grunge band, formed in the summer of 2013 with a common goal: exploring their passion for music and its role in their lives.

Life’s ups and downs provided to be the band’s — consisting of Josh Brazeau, Justin Brazeau, Dorian Grey, and Kat Kerley ­­— fuel to write songs that had dynamic lyrics and driving soulful melodies with a flair of metal and incredible control that gives Ardent an electric rock sound. In February, they released their debut EP titled Ardent and is available for download on major music download platforms.

Entertainment Niagara (EN): How long have you been playing in the Niagara region?

Ardent (A): We’ve been together as a band since June of 2013 and have played shows in Toronto, Hamilton, and St. Catharines. We’re hoping to play more shows in Niagara in the upcoming months.

EN: Describe your sound....

A: We classify ourselves as alt rock/grunge, but we are really a one-of-a-kind rock sound due to various influences and playing styles of everyone in the band. Justin (our drummer) comes from a grind core/metal background, Dorian (our bassist) comes from a punk and Brit-pop influence, Kat (our vocalist and kalimba) comes from a very eclectic background of musical tastes ranging from hip-hop and R&B to folk and EDM, and Josh (our vocalist and guitar) is a heavily influenced by ‘90s alt-rock. When we combine this together, it sounds like hard rock, but with an Ardent flair. We also use a kalimba (African folk instrument) instead of synth or keyboard for some of our songs.

EN: What is your go-to song to get the crowd moving?

A: We like to play our song “Take Me Home” to get the crowd moving because it gets us moving the most on stage, and we think that translates to the crowd pretty well. It’s a pop-punk style song with a fast pace and a lot of drum rolls.

EN: What is your most memorable on-stage moment?

A: We were playing the Boston Manor in Burlington, which has a very small drum stage, and Justin had to collapse the base of his cymbal stands to get maximum height out of them, so they were pretty unstable. In the middle of our song “Breed” there is a bridge that is symbol-heavy and when Justin hit his cymbals one of the stands fell on Dorian, who without missing a beat, spun around to release himself from the cymbal stand and kept on playing. Josh and Kat didn’t even realize this happened until they saw the video later on. It was a pretty slick move.

EN: What is your favourite part about Niagara’s music scene?

A: The diversity. There are so many different bands and artists out of Niagara and it’s a pleasure to meet and play with them. We think Niagara is blossoming as a music scene and we are happy to be a part of it. - Taylor Geoffrey, Niagara This Week

Ardent are fantastically solidified alternative rock/grunge sound hailing out of Welland/St.Catharines, Canada!
These rockers bring brilliant rock music airs that are all filled with ace elements of energetic strength, riff & rocking bounce charm along with shining and roaring vocal platforms, hard rock class here!
I certainly can foresee a real identity with music appreciators worldwide taking their rocking ear music modules to this talented band!

Unsigned Canadian Rockers Are Really Bringing An Impressive Vibe Forward With Quality Elements Of Alternative And Grunge Rock Stands - Tim Forker, Forkster

A great rock alternative industrial sounding band. Great female fronted vocals reminding us of Garbage, Angelfish, Courtney Love, etc. Vocally superb with great heavy sounds pleasing to anyone's ears. - RockBandom Magazine