Montreal’s alternative music scene has always been a breeding ground for fearless artists, and Dead Stick People are the latest to emerge from its creative chaos. The quartet’s latest single, “Lose Control,” released this past August, marks their sixth release since forming just two years ago.
Most bands take years to find their sound, but Dead Stick People seem to have fast-tracked the process. Each of their six singles has pushed them closer to something genuinely their own. “From the very beginning, our main goal was to be as true to ourselves as possible, and establish a strong sense of who we are while having fun,” the band explains. “The 6 songs we released so far have helped us experiment, be as raw and unapologetic as possible, and find our most authentic sound.”
“Lose Control” came together the way great rock songs should: spontaneously, in drummer Aïsha Po’s living room during an evening jam. The band was feeling stuck, creatively restless. “At the time, some of us had been feeling rather boxed and felt the need to let it out,” they recall. Guitarist Jeffery St-Jacques had this riff that just wouldn’t quit, energetic and impossible to ignore.
But here’s where Dead Stick People showed their creative instincts. Instead of matching brooding lyrics with equally dark music, they went the opposite direction. “When we started experimenting with the lyrics to ‘Lose Control’, we wanted the song’s instrumentation to sound punchy and lively, contrary to the dismal words expressed, as that would be the most authentic way to express ourselves.”
That contradiction runs deeper than just one song. “All of us are rather rebellious and believe in pushing back and not staying stuck where we are, emotionally or musically,” they say. The tension between light and dark, upbeat and melancholy, has become their signature without them even trying.
The band owes a lot to Montreal’s music community. Vocalist Jasmeen Kaur Ahluwalia had worked with bassist Timmy Conlan and drummer Aïsha Po before, but it was the city’s supportive scene that brought them together as Dead Stick People. “We definitely owe it to the Montreal music scene to have formed this band,” they admit. “The scene has definitely given us a platform to showcase our sound and collaborate with other similar artists on various live shows.”
Their sound pulls from 90s alternative rock and modern indie, though that wasn’t some master plan. “While we draw influence from 90’s alternative rock or even some grunge, this blend was definitely not deliberate from the start,” they explain. “As we made more and more music together, we started finding our sound and what felt most authentic to us.”
The contrasts in their music happen naturally. Heavy moments give way to tender ones, aggressive guitars soften into something more soulful. They don’t sit around discussing these dynamics. “So far it has been happening instinctively,” they note. “It was not something we initially expected, but realized we resonated with the most, as more and more of our songs came into fruition.”
Rock music still has a representation problem when it comes to women, something Jasmeen addresses head-on. “Female presence is certainly less represented in the rock scene, which is why I feel more of us need to come forward and show what we can do!” Montreal’s scene has given both her and Aïsha the confidence to claim their space. “Montreal’s music scene has given myself and our drummer Aïsha the confidence and support that we never thought we could get,” Jasmeen says. “Now, I feel at-home and completely at ease when performing live shows, or even at the studio.”
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. “We have been told time-and-again by the audience that they felt it was refreshing to hear a female voice in this genre and that they could not wait for more!” Montreal audiences don’t sugarcoat their opinions either. “They are really not afraid to ‘tell it how it is’.”
In the rehearsal room, Dead Stick People keep things loose and open. “For the majority of the time, we go into the rehearsal room with a completely empty mind and no expectations of what’s to come,” they describe. “It allows us to just let the creative process flow and build something that lights a fire inside each of us.”
Take “Burn Alive” as an example. After jamming most of the song together, Timmy went home and worked on a bridge, drawing from his punk and metal background. “With his background in Montreal’s punk and metal scene, he felt the song was naturally calling for a heavy breakdown,” they recall. When he brought those ideas back, the group found their middle ground. “The result is a beautiful song with heavy movements that can only be written by Dead Stick People.”
Working with producer Jake at Fly Away Recording + Media Studio has been a perfect match for their collaborative approach and perfectionist streak. “Jake does a splendid job in taking everyone’s creative opinion into consideration and delivering excellent results,” they say. His one-stop-shop setup lets them focus on what matters most: the music.
Dead Stick People have bigger ambitions for 2025. “‘Breaking out’ definitely means performing in not just Montreal, but doing live shows anywhere and everywhere music lives!” They understand streaming can reach anyone, anywhere, but nothing beats the real thing. “The personal touch that a live show with a supportive audience brings, cannot be competed with.”
With more music coming next year and audiences clearly hungry for their particular brand of authentic alternative rock, Dead Stick People are positioned to make some serious noise beyond Montreal’s borders. Sometimes the best way forward is to lose control and see where the music takes you.
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