Interview: Hamilton’s Lisa SQ Marries Playful Mayhem with Indie Rock Energy on New Single “Cold Little Fingers”

Where do your thoughts go when the lights are out? In her deliriously raw new single, “Cold Little Fingers,” Hamilton-based indie rock artist Lisa SQ invites listeners into the restless space between dreaming and waking – a late-night freak-out where whispered voices, pounding hearts, and childhood boogeymen dance together in the dark.

“Cold Little Fingers” is where the shivers hide. “Cold Little Fingers” is tossing and turning. “Cold Little Fingers” is a dizzying whisper. “Cold Little Fingers” is making friends with the monsters under your bed. “Cold Little Fingers” is a late night thought spiral. “Cold Little Fingers” is trying to keep your composure on the verge of a meltdown.

The song’s inspiration came from Lisa SQ‘s own life: her partner’s habit of talking, laughing, and flailing in his sleep. “I regularly wake up to him mid-conversation with me, unsure if he’s asleep or awake,” she says. “While disorienting in the moment, I find the whole thing pretty sweet and funny.”

Recorded live off the floor at Toronto’s Dwaynespace with an all-star crew of friends, the track captures the exhilarating chaos of a night terror in progress. Producer Tyler Kyte (Dwayne Gretzky) amped up the BPM to a heart-racing tempo, with drummer Michael Brushy (Dwayne Gretzky) delivering pulse-pounding beats, bassist Dave Dalrymple (Wax Atlantic) steering the track into Strokes-esque territory, and guitarist Jimmy Hayes (Harlan Pepper, Deseronto) slicing through with frantic, sharp-edged riffs. Engineered and mixed by Ian Docherty (July Talk), the result is a playful, panicked burst of indie rock energy.

1. What did you enjoy most about the recording process of this new release?

I enjoyed how quickly we did it! Recording it live off the floor after just a few run throughs helped capture the panicky, fun energy of the song. We also decided to ramp up the BPM’s to make it feel more frantic which captures the intensity of a real life night terror situation. It also made recording the lyrics a bit of a tongue twister…. and who doesn’t love those? Yellow leather, red leather, yellow leather, red leather….

2. Share a nugget of advice that has resonated with you most over the years.

If the process is fun (not that it can’t be hard…), hopefully that feeling will come through in the songs. Recording with friends, laughing and being silly I think infused this track with something extra playful.

3. Who would be your dream artist/band to co-headline a tour with?

Feist. So I could dance and cry every night from the front row. 

4. What sets your music apart from others in your genre?

Even though there is a cohesive element to all of my songs, I feel like there is a lot of “genre-bending” happening which hopefully keeps people on their toes, and intrigued. I personally love to be pleasantly surprised by a new artist/album which takes me on a little adventure I wasn’t expecting. 

5. Tell us what your favourite song is at the moment and why.

Only One – Cassandra Jenkins

The overall feeling, is like a warm bath you never want to get out of. The production is a true “chef’s kiss” – so smooth and stunning. Tons of really satisfying sounds and parts layered in together, but also lots of space left for your mind to fill in the blanks, or just chill. Plus the lyrics aren’t trying to be too perfect and catch you off guard in the best way. Chorus is simple and catchy and finds itself on loop in your head.