Sightlines’ ‘Hospital’ is a quirky love song, dedicated to the protagonist’s only visitor – a light among a sea of mediocrity, not least the food. It’s a quirk that runs throughout the music too, with a relentlessly whimsical tone that perfectly accompanies the captivating lyrics. “I still have nightmares about the food,” Sightlines sing, “but if that’s the worst part of being in the hospital you’re really not doing too bad.”
“I wrote this song a few years back after spending 4 days in the hospital with blood poisoning,” vocalist and guitarist Eric Axen explains. “Definitely a scary time, but afterward I literally found myself having nightmares that I was still there, eating the godawful food… could be a lot worse! The song is pretty much about keeping things in perspective and realizing how much you have even when things are going wrong. Incidentally, that is a recurring theme on the album.”
‘North’, their forthcoming debut album, marks a milestone in their career, having up until now released the occasional short burst of distinctive pop-punk. It features nine brand new track, including ‘Hospital’, and reworked versions of ‘Commiseration’ and ‘Foreknowledge’ from their Crystal Swells split.
‘North’ will be available in April, co-released via Alarum Records and Vancouver label Big Smoke. It features cover art by Dana Kearley, a frequent Sightlines collaborator.