Interview With The Free Label

Recently, I had the opportunity to ask the members of the Toronto music group The Free Label some questions pertaining to their previous album, Songs For Sienna, touring, their forthcoming performance at the 2025 Winnipeg International Jazz Festival on June 17, 2025, and what they have planned for the future.

Let's jump right into your latest singles, “DANCING ON YOUR OWN” and “GALS4U.” Are these two tracks leftovers from your recording sessions for your debut album, Songs For Sienna, or are they standalone singles?

The Free Label: The "DANCING ON YOUR OWN" two-track is a stand-alone. These two tracks are going to set the tone of the new direction of the music we’re making right now.

What's something you hope people take away from the new singles? TFL: We hope people dance. We created these singles to let loose and move our bodies.

Where did the idea of doing a remix album for the majority of the tracks off of Songs For Sienna?

Working with Westwood for the release of Songs For Sienna really influenced our decision on a remix album. They are more versed in the electronic music space and helped us reimagine this album.

You guys did something I never personally never seen done before and toured across North America last year performing Songs For Sienna pretty much in its entirety, with a mix of covers and older tracks mixed in, whose idea was that and why did you go that route than the traditional promo tour, let the album release, then hit the road some more with the newly released songs? TFL: We believe that the songs needed to be played live first. At our core, we are a live band. We needed to test how the songs felt in front of an audience. Watch how the people would move to our music. You can really tell a lot about your songwriting by the energy of a live audience. You feel the anticipation of the chorus, the release of the bridge. Or sometimes things don’t work the way you wanted, and the energy of the crowd goes dull. Then we got to go back and rework the song so that every part feels amazing. Our process helped shape the music Songs For Sienna, and realize when it was ready for release.

Last time we spoke in 2020, you said that off your EP at the time, the track, "M.I.A.," was the most fun song to write, and the most difficult to write was “Let Me Find a Way.” What tracks off of Songs For Sienna were the most fun to write, and which were the most challenging to write? TFL: The most fun song to write was definitely "Tiffany." Not only was it based on a true story, but resonated so deeply with every member of the band. The hardest to write had to be "On The Floor." The words came out pretty easily, but we changed the arrangement in the studio a couple of times before recording what we have now.

What's the most random thing that has ever inspired you to write a song? TFL: It’s not the most random thing, but something that continually inspires us is the many beautiful older women we meet on the road. Since 2019, you've been tirelessly touring and promoting your music across North America, Europe, and Australia, sharing the stage with the likes of T-Pain, Aqua, and Lupe Fiasco, to name a few, and getting spots on major festivals like the Calgary Stampede, Mariposa Folk Festival, Laketown Shakedown, and Winnipeg International Jazz Festival. Do you have any profound moments on the road that stick to you to this day?

TFL: While in Luxembourg, we got to perform at their Blues n’ Jazz Rallye. Not only was the festival stage in the middle of what looked like a castle courtyard, we got to open up for MonoNeon and our heroes, Incognito. This was one of the first major European festivals we've performed, and at the time our biggest crowds, around 4000 people. Best part was after we finished our set, we got to go back stage, and watch Incognito pop off.

Speaking of Winnipeg, you've played here twice last year and are returning again for another performance at The Cube in Old Market Square as part of Winnipeg Jazz Fest. What are you looking forward to most from the performance? TFL: The first time we played Winnipeg Jazz Fest, the reaction we got from the city was electric. We had never performed in Winnipeg before then, so that night blew us away with how comfortable you all made us feel on that stage. This time we’re excited because now we know the city. So we’re not coming back to prove anything, we’re coming back to just let loose on that stage and party with you all.

Additionally, last Summer at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, I'm sure a majority of that audience never heard of you before your set, but you have the entire area packed to the brim and by the end of your performance the entire crowd was invested in your music, singing along and dancing along to every beat. What do you think people take from your music that resonates so much? TFL: Music is a reflection of self. We have such a good time writing, recording, and performing our music. That feeling is underlying everything that we do. We try to put that energy out there when we perform, and I think it resonates. The audience gives it back to us, and we try to double it and give it right back. Once you hit that loop of good feelings, it's unstoppable, and before you know it, everyone is dancing. What is something fans can expect from your shows this summer? TFL: More music, more dancing, more unreleased songs that we’re gonna perform live, and just MORE. What do you have planned for the rest of 2025 beyond touring? TFL: We finish touring just before Christmas, so probably family time. We will be in the studio while we are on the road, so new music in 2026. Thanks for the time today, Josh, Mathew, Malik, Cole, Jacob, and Jason! Can't wait to see you again at Jazz Fest! Is there anything else you want to add before you go? TFL: Get some of that good feeling, listen to "Dancing On Your Own," and The Free Label loves ya, baby!

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