Envy of None (abbreviated as EON) is a Canadian-American rock supergroup formed in 2021 by former Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, along with bassist Andy Curran, vocalist Maiah Wynne, and guitarist and keyboardist Alfio Annibalini.[1] Their self-titled studio album was released on April 8, 2022.[2]
Envy of None | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, United States |
| Genres | Rock |
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Labels | Kscope |
| Members |
|
| Website | envyofnone |
History
editIn June 2021, Alex Lifeson released two solo instrumental tracks, "Kabul Blues" and "Spy House", on his official website. The new music coincided with the release of the Alex Lifeson Les Paul Standard Axcess model of electric guitar produced by Epiphone and featured Canadian musicians Andy Curran of Coney Hatch on bass and David Quinton Steinberg on drums.[3] Less than a week following the announcement, Lifeson revealed that he had completed ten songs for his new side project, Envy of None, featuring Curran, Alfio Annibalini on guitar, and Maiah Wynne on vocals, with additional contributions from Steinberg and Tim Oxford on drums.[4] The project originated when Curran and Wynne were working on new music, Lifeson noticed and asked to hear. Curran encouraged Lifeson to contribute guitar parts if something interested him, and said: "He played on one track and one became two, and two became three".[5]
The band had hoped to have the music finished for an album release in late 2021, but it was delayed until the next year.[4] On January 12, 2022, they announced that their self-titled debut album would be released on April 8, via Kscope, an independent record label based in London.[5] The first single, "Liar", was issued on the same day. On March 2, 2022, the band released a second single, "Look Inside",[6] and a music video for the song on March 9, 2022.[7]
The band's first studio album is the eponymous Envy of None, consisting of eleven tracks.[8] It was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic and released on April 8, 2022.[8] It has been described as having elements of both ambient and industrial music.[8] The last song on the album, the instrumental "Western Sunset", is a tribute to Lifeson's former Rush bandmate, drummer and lyricist Neil Peart.[8][9][10] Lifeson composed the song at Peart's Santa Monica home shortly before the drummer's death, in January 2020.[11] The record was ranked as the eighth best guitar album of 2022 by Guitar World readers.[12]
In 2022, Envy of None released a single to support UNHCR after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, raising close to $100,000 through this effort.[13]
On April 20, 2023, the group announced the June 9 release of an EP titled That Was Then, This Is Now, featuring remixes of two previously released tracks and three new compositions.[14]
Lifeson has stated he does not intend to participate in concert tours but will "do a few shows here and there".[9]
Band members
edit- Alfio Annibalini – guitar, keyboards, programming
- Andy Curran – bass, programming, guitar, stylophone, backing vocals
- Alex Lifeson – guitar, mandola, banjo, programming
- Maiah Wynne – lead vocals, keyboards
Discography
editAlbums
- Envy of None (2022)
- That Was Then (EP, 2023)
Singles
- "Liar" (2022)
- "Look Inside" (2022)
- "Enemy" / "You'll Be Sorry" (2022)
References
edit- ^ "Alex Lifeson announces highly emotive Neil Peart tribute song 'Western Sunset'". Planet Rock. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Rolli, Bryan (January 12, 2022). "Alex Lifeson Sets Envy of None Debut: Track Listing, Release Date". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Rolli, Bryan (June 15, 2021). "Rush's Alex Lifeson unveils two new solo songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Wardlaw, Matt (June 21, 2021). "Alex Lifeson has recorded 10 songs for new 'Envy of None' project". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Laing, Rob (January 12, 2022). "Alex Lifeson returns with new band Envy of None and Nine Inch Nails-esque new song Liar". MusicRadar. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ "Alex Lifeson's Envy of None Project Releases 'Look Inside' Single". Blabbermouth. March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ Rapp, Allison (March 9, 2022). "Alex Lifeson's Envy of None Release New Song 'Look Inside'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Wheeler, Brad (April 9, 2022). "With a new band, a new album, and the giveaway of his guitars, Alex Lifeson says farewell to Rush". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- ^ a b Krewen, Nick (April 8, 2022). "The Alex Lifeson of Envy of None isn't the Alex Lifeson of Rush — and he's good with that". Toronto Star. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (January 12, 2022). "Rush Guitarist Alex Lifeson Readies Debut LP from New Band Envy of None". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ Friend, David (April 6, 2022). "Alex Lifeson looks to move beyond Rush with new rock project Envy of None". Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
- ^ Horsley, Jonathan (December 21, 2022). "The best guitar albums of 2022". Guitar World. Future plc. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ "Rock band Envy of None play for Ukraine". UNHCR CANADA. July 19, 2022.
- ^ Ewing, John (April 20, 2023). "Envy of None return with new That Was Then EP". LouderSound. Retrieved May 2, 2023.