Meeting with twin sisters Alanna and Brianne Finn-Morris of Fionn is a breath of fresh air. As they step onto Montreal’s scene for the first time, the Vancouver-based duo is as sparkling as their on-stage personas, radiating a genuine excitement to be here. Already a favourite across Canada, with over 2 million streams and notable press features, these two are on the verge of something big.
“It’s our first time in Montreal, and we’re very excited,” they tell me. “We’ve been wanting to come here for ages.” The two are currently on tour with JJ Wilde, another powerhouse in the Canadian music scene. “She’s amazing,” they say. “It was such a great opportunity to get onto this tour, and we’re really enjoying it.“
She’s got that vibe, right? It feels like your new single ‘The Snake’ carries a bit of that same energy.
“I’ll take that as a compliment!” Brianne laughs. “It does feel like a rage anthem, and I think as female artists in rock, it’s a great way to get your anger out.” This song represents a shift from the pop-infused sounds of their previous album, Candid Constellations, a record rooted in electronic elements.
“We’ve experimented a lot,” Alanna explains. “We started out busking when we were 12 at Granville Island in Vancouver as a country duo. Then our first album had more folk-rock vibes, followed by an alternative record with a rock edge. Candid Constellations was a step toward pop, with a lot of electronic keyboards.”
After years of evolution, their current sound feels like a fusion of everything they’ve explored. “Now, it’s like we’re combining every genre we’ve done,” says Brianne. “We’re calling it Fem Rock.”
Is Fem Rock a new thing?
“I don’t even know,” they say, laughing. “We just started calling it that because it feels like feminine rock—rock for the girls.”
This style isn’t just about the sound; it’s also about the visual presentation. “We love getting on stage in a fun outfit, something glittery,” they share. “When we see artists who dress up, it adds to the experience. We don’t want to change who we are just because we’re doing rock music.”
They’ve often been compared to Canadian band The Beaches and even further back to Joan Jett’s original band, The Runaways. “We’ve heard that a few times, especially on this tour, and it’s amazing to hear because we’ve been Beaches fans for a long time,” says Alanna.
The more glam aspects of 1970s rock and the pop aesthetic of their earlier records are all part of their appeal. “We’re not inventing anything new,” they clarify, “but we’re happy to bring this aesthetic forward.”
When it comes to their lyrics, Fionn is refreshingly eclectic.
One of your songs has this line about a cordless vacuum cleaner. It’s quirky, but it makes sense in the context.
Brianne laughs, “You’re the first person to actually bring that line up! It sounds silly out of context, but I had it in my notes for a while because I have this vacuum with a very long cord, and it’s frustrating!” Alanna adds, “A lot of our lyrics are random things that come to mind. We write about what we know and feel, and sometimes it’s odd little things like that.”
In another of their recent songs, they explore the complexities of casual relationships, touching on the familiar high school game of “Fuck, Marry, Kill.” “It was in my head at the time because some friends and I had been playing it, and it just worked with the theme of the song,” says Brianne. “Sometimes love feels like that—you want to love them, hate them, and forget them all at once.”
Their latest singles showcase this mix of emotions. “We’ve had some rough experiences, and those singles, especially ‘The Snake,’ reflect that frustration. But we have some softer love songs coming on the next album too,” they promise.
Their upcoming album will be released as a series of singles over the coming year, which they hope will drop in full by the end of next summer. “We don’t want to rush it,” says Brianne. “We want to take our time and make sure it’s the best it can be. But we’ll be releasing singles along the way because we have a lot of songs ready.”
When they talk about their writing process, it’s clear that collaboration has its challenges. “We don’t usually write together because we fight,” Brianne admits with a laugh. “We’re best friends, but the twins out there will understand. Writing is one of the few things we get to do separately.” So, while each sister brings her own perspective to the music, they both contribute to the sound and harmonies that fans love.
“Our voices are quite similar, but mine’s a bit lower,” Alanna says. “I’d say I’m more of an alto, and Brianne’s more of a soprano. They sound different to us, but I think our voices really mesh well.”
The sisters, who describe themselves as “Pisces with Leo rising,” have a chemistry that goes beyond music. “We’ve always been a bit loud in how we present ourselves,” Alanna grins. “It’s just how we are.”
On this tour, they’re soaking in every experience. “We’re loving every minute of it,” they say. “This is where we’re supposed to be, and it’s why we can’t wait to plan another tour right after this one.”
They’re heading east after Montreal, then circling back to Ontario before wrapping up in Toronto. “We’ll get a break for the holidays, and then we want to get right back at it in the new year.”
Beyond their on-stage chemistry and unique sound, Fionn is also about creating a community of like-minded listeners who resonate with their honesty. “I just think at the end of the day, it’s about doing whatever is the most authentic to you. And that’s what’s going to come across the best.”
Watch the full interview below:
Annette Aghazarian
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