By Beverly Kreller.
Toronto chanteuse, songwriter, performer and radio host Lily Frost has earned her place in Canada’s music scene elite, moving deftly from jazz to Latin, to pop, and to balladry, with the ease and fluidity of an expert vocalist. After 15 critically acclaimed albums to date, her touching, soulful anthem "You’re Not Alone," is striking an emotional chord now, as we navigate a third lockdown. The song, out on all major platforms, will be included in a live-streamed performance on Friday, June 4, at 8:00 pm, via the Union Trust from the Dakota Tavern in Toronto.
During the third lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, many are finding it harder to cope and that it’s more mentally and emotionally challenging than the previous lockdowns. As a result, people are currently relating to Lily Frost’s poignant song “You’re Not Alone,” on a very deep level. “It seems to be resonating with my listeners, who’ve been sharing it a lot on social media and personally connecting with me. We’re in a kind of purgatory and I want to share the song more widely in hopes of providing some relief to the depression and isolation we’re all facing,” says Frost, who includes herself as one who finds this experience very difficult on many levels.
"You’re Not Alone" takes the form of a Gospel hymn to offer a heartfelt message of comfort and compassion to anyone afflicted with loneliness and isolation. Lily Frost co-wrote the song with her friend, producer Tom McKay, as an expression of her own life-long struggle with the pull of depression and for it to serve as an outreach of hope to others who are suffering.
Workman Arts/CAMH's Bruised Years Choir producer Jim Le Francois was so moved by "You’re Not Alone," that he added the song to the choir's repertoire. They were invited to perform it live at Toronto's renowned Luminato Festival, where the song was featured live on CBC TV.
Video director Steve Munday interlaced a visceral, pre-pandemic, live performance by Frost, shot at the Monarch Tavern in Toronto, with footage of the Humber River Valley, to create a music video. Watching Frost's powerful video performance from our quarantined homes seems to be the perfect balm for the current climate.
Frost not only reaches out through her music, but has been doing weekly volunteer work at the Beeton Cupboard Foodbank at St. Michaels All Angels Church. "It's been rewarding, as it feels like I'm actually doing something to help," she says.
To donate go to Beeton Cupboard Instagram
A live-streamed performance on Friday, June 4, at 8:00 pm, via the Union Trust from the Dakota Tavern in Toronto. It’ll be airing on
and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lilyfrostmusic.
Website: lilyfrost.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lilyfrostmusic
Twitter: twitter.com/lily_frost
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lilyfrostcom