Darcy Windover

Ask any artist why they make music and chances are they’ll say that, at least in part, it’s a form of therapy. That was definitely true for Darcy Windover as he made his latest album whose title, Cope, pretty much says it all. For the Toronto - based singer/songwriter originally from Sarnia, Ontario, the new 10 - song collection is the summation of a difficult period revolving around his mother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s, and the mental toll it took on everyone close to her. That theme is encapsulated in the album’s opening track “How To Be Lonely,” which Windover specifically wanted to release to help fight the stigma surrounding anxiety and mental illness. Although, the song addresses tough issues, its anthemic, modern roots rock sound — the foundation for the album overall — is sure to inspire hope within anyone dealing with similar circumstances. As a songwriter, Windover draws inspiration from his heroes such as Tom Petty, emphasizing melody, hooks, and atmosphere above all else, with a little twang for good measure. Sure, melancholy is unavoidable, but never as a distraction from pure songwriting Craftsmanship.