Canadian rockers The Damn Truth signed with Frontiers Music for the reissue of their 2025 Juno-nominated self-titled album. Vocalist Lee-la Baum gives us a scoop on the re-release and numerous other topics.
Chad Bowar: How did you come to sign with Frontiers for the re-release of your self-titled album?
Lee-la Baum: We’d been talking with Frontiers for a little while, and the timing just felt right to start this new chapter together. The Damn Truth 4 is an album we’re incredibly proud of, and would love to get it into the hands of as many like-minded rock ’n’ rollers around the world as possible. Frontiers has the reach and the passion for this music to help make that happen, so it felt like a pretty natural fit.
You’ve worked with producer Bob Rock on a couple of records. How did that collaboration come about, and what does he bring to the table in the studio?
Yeah, Bob is the fucking best. Our former manager knew Bob personally, but every time we asked him to send Bob some demos, he’d basically say, “No. You guys aren’t ready yet.” So eventually we started pressing him pretty hard, and he finally sent the songs. Bob got back to us almost immediately and said he’d love to make the record with us.Obviously, we’d all heard the stories about Bob. You hear all kinds of shit about people when they get to that level. Most of it wasn’t true. But going into it, we all agreed on one thing: keep our ears open, and treat the whole thing like a masterclass. And holy fuck, did we learn.
We learned a ton about making records, but even more about taste. Bob has this ridiculous depth of musical knowledge. He can hear something once and immediately understand what’s missing, what needs to move, or what needs to get the fuck out of the way. But the thing I love most is that he’s never intrusive. He’s not trying to turn you into somebody else. He’s always trying to elevate what’s already there to make the band sound more like itself, only better.
Has your songwriting process been similar over your four albums, or has it evolved?
Nothing stays the same. We change, we evolve, and as we do, the things that hit us in the heart change too. So naturally, the songwriting changes with us. For me, a song is basically a moment in time. And the funny thing is, the best songs I’ve written are usually the ones I didn’t really mean to write. I don’t sit down thinking, okay, this song is going to be about this, and it’s going to sound like that. You just start playing, something happens, and it kind of pours out of you. Then you’re sitting there at the end going, holy fuck… where did that come from?
That part has never really changed. The other thing that’s always stayed the same is that we’re a BAND. We’ve always been a band, and we always will be. So whatever a song starts out as in the songwriter’s head, it eventually goes through the Damn Truth machine. And that machine has a mind of its own. It comes out the other side louder, stranger, more alive and somehow it sounds more like us. That’s the magic of being in a band. You start with an idea, but you never really know what it’s going to become until the four of us get our hands on it.
What was your reaction to your Juno nomination?
We were at the airport on our way to a gig. Tom was doom scrolling when he came across a post that showed the nominees for Rock Album of the Year and saw our name come up. I remember there was complete shock and disbelief, knowing that most of what you see online is fake news and the fact that no one advised us prior… we were quite sure it was a fake post, a bad prank by some of our friends. (laughs) But turns out it was real! Amazing!
The album is being released on vinyl. Are you a collector?
We are all vinyl collectors. My father gave me my first record player and his complete Beatles collection when I was 6 years old. It was my favorite game: to sit in my room listening to those records until I knew them inside out – every lyric on every album. Every inflection in the voice. Those albums touched me so profoundly at such a young age and I’m sure they have shaped the human I became. Vinyl has been an obsession ever since. We always knew we had to release our albums on vinyl, that’s the best way to listen to rock n roll music, the warmth and vibe is unmatched.
What were some of the highlights of your recent UK tour?
We always have such a blast whenever we’re in the UK. It feels like the UK crowds really get what we’re all about. They are ROCK N ROLL! It was also our first time playing Stonedead festival and it was an awesome time ! We heard that the whole team are volunteers and you can tell how much they care about their festival, making it a wonderful experience for the fans and the bands alike. We had a blast!
Do you remember the first time you heard a The Damn Truth song on the radio?
Absolutely. I’ll never forget it. Montreal used to have a “made in Mtl” show every Sunday night from 10 to midnight and they would play only local bands. I got the courage to send in our song “Kinda Awkward” and the whole band sat around together drinking and hoping to God that they played it. At 23:55 we almost gave up hope but then it was on and we were all dancing around the table like madmen. After that first time apparently people started calling in to request it and that’s how we got added to the rotation. Btw, it never gets old. I still dance around every single time.
How did your Truth Serum hot sauce come about?
The rock n roll community is FULL of very interesting people indeed. We connected with Chef Matthew Lapointe through our sound man. We met Matt for drinks and tasted his sauces and we just knew that we had to do something together. Over 12 months we went back and forth refining a TDT sauce and flavour profile that we felt was unique and definitely Rock n Roll! Our Truth Serum recipe even includes some vodka. It’s become a fun project, our fans seem to love it and so do we!
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
What’s that? (laughs) Music is a lovely master.
What’s the best thing you binge-watched recently?
I normally don’t watch much of anything, haven’t had much time or desire to, but lately we’ve been on a lot of cross Atlantic flights and I’ve been enjoying Seth Rogan’s The Studio a lot. I find the script hilarious and the acting and costumes are ridiculously rad!
What’s currently in your musical heavy rotation?
I’ve been on a pretty heavy Paul Simon trip lately. Discovering a lot of his back catalogue as well as indulging in his most recent masterpiece which I fear might be his last. It’s like a goodbye, a prayer, it’s beautifully crafted and so special to listen to… having lost my father a few months ago it’s been like an old friend, comforting me as I cry.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
We’re about to go on a 19 date tour with Europe throughout Europe celebrating 40 years to their Final Countdown album. We start in Glasgow and end a month later in Sweden. We got to meet up with the Europe guys in Stonedead and they seemed like a super cool bunch of guys, not to mention they put on an INCREDIBLE show! It was epic! Gonna be a fun run if there ever was one. Can’t wait!
(interview published September 11, 2026)
