Chris Antonik
By Mike O’Cull
Canadian blues/rock guitarist, singer/singer Chris Antonik shares honest stories of divorce, sobriety, and single parenting on his new album Morningstar set to release on August 5th, 2022 via Second Half Records. The set pushes the boundaries of blues/rock by folding soul, future-funk, psychedelia, late-1980’s-Clapton/Robbie Robertson/Daniel Lanois influences, and other experimental touches into its mix quite successfully.
Antonik, a three-time Maple Blues Award nominee, co-produced Morningstar with Juno Award winner Derek Downham and the pair turned out to be a formidable creative team overflowing with fresh ideas and songs. Together, they made a record that’s ferociously modern with deep blues roots and massive crossover potential. They even treat us all to guest appearances by three-time Blues Music Award nominee Jarekus Singleton and Juno Award-nominated jazz artist Alison Young.
Chris Antonik is an international recording artist who is clearly focused on making music that advances the state of blues/rock and guitar music in general. He’s not putting out musical history lessons in hopes of building credibility but is following his own desires and influences into new territory, as great musicians have always done. He surrounds his guitar and vocal skills with rock beats, synthesizers, atmosphere, and hit-single melodies. His songwriting style is equally wide open and ranges from heavy to sweet. He’s an intriguing player who is working a niche of the genre that gets overlooked far too often.
Antonik opens Morningstar with its lead single “Waves Of Stone.” It’s a pounding blues/rock track full of hard guitars courtesy of Antonik and Jarekus Singleton. Listening to the two players interacting is powerful and hypnotic, as are the bits of psychedelia interspersed throughout the song. Nothing on it is typical, bland, or boring. Instead, “Waves Of Stone” keeps you leaning forward to see where it goes next. It’s a cool, individualistic first song that shows a lot of heart. Lyrically, it deals with the uncomfortable silences of a dying relationship and the pain they inflict.
Listen “Back To The Good”
“Pilgrim” is Antonik’s take on the radio-friendly blues/rock of the late 1980s. He employs edgy riffs, vintage synths, and an absolutely singing lead guitar tone and uses them to build this mid-tempo gem to its memorable dashboard-speaker chorus. The vibe is somewhere between 80s Clapton and Alan Parsons and it’s one a lot of listeners will feel in their formerly-teenage bones.
The dreamy and atmospheric “In Our Home” is reminiscent of the more spacious side of Led Zeppelin. Although it’s a melancholy vocal duet with jazz artist Alison Young, who is also Antonik’s partner, it’s the guitar work that truly shines. Chris taps into Jimmy Page’s expansive, idea-filled world and has his way with it without ever tearing it up or making it seem cheap. It’s an impressive cut that will appeal to fans into more than singles.
The funk/blues mashup of “Trust In Me” is Antonik’s chronicle of guiding his kids through the toxic media and political climates of the past few years. It’s a brave track that hangs out left of center and throws sounds and thoughts into people’s minds. It whispers, grooves, and shrieks with an intensity that’s compelling and real. It also features Antonik’s finest guitar playing on the album.
Other highlights on Morningstar are many and include “How To Be Alone,” “Little Man,” and the plaintive surrender ballad “Grace” that closes the record. Chris Antonik is most assuredly not your normal, everyday blues/rock guitar slinger, although his chops are beyond question. He’s got bigger game on his mind and is creating music that will stretch your soul when you hear it. He’s a fully-developed artist working on something big. We should all be listening.
Pre-order Morningstar Here
Chris Antonik website
Love his music and style! Great article!