The Young Novelists @ Hugh’s Room

The Young Novelists @ Hugh’s Room

w/  Merival

Sunday, Oct 5, 2025

Hugh’s Room - Toronto, ON

In the days leading up to the pandemic, something changed for The Young Novelists. The Toronto-based husband-and-wife duo, consisting of Graydon James and Laura Spink, were trying on various side projects with friends, and Laura joined in a “Rock Lottery”, where musician names were drawn from a hat to form instant bands that then wrote a few songs together.

This was Laura's first time writing songs, and while working with her temporary bandmates to write “All Of My Friends Are Leaving”, a song about artists dealing with fiscal heartbreak and featuring an anthemic chorus, she called on Graydon's experience to help finish the song. Then everything shut down, and they were sequestered at home, along with an explosion of creativity between them that formed the basis for the songs on their new album: “These Dark Canyons”.

Featuring Laura's haunting, emotive vocals and delivering songs largely told from her point of view, the album represents an artist literally finding her voice. Blistering takes on systemic misogyny (“Break The Whole Thing Down”), the quiet devastation of assault (“One Of Mine”), and an anthem for those finding the strength to speak up (“Raise Our Voices”) combine with Graydon's songs about losing a loved one (“Fade To Black”) and crafting songs from personal pain (“Into Glory”) to form an album that explores the

dark canyons we all experience.

“These Dark Canyons” will be released September 26, 2025, with an album release show at Hugh's Room on Sunday, October 5.  

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