Apartment-based music projects rarely see the light of day. Artists tend to keep their creations to themselves rather than ascending to a level of performance and professionalism. When dj/producer Christian Awad and singer-songwriter Whitney Delion decided to share their sonic gems with their friends, Sound of Lions found more than just an audience; they found genuine fans.
With a decade of producing hip hop tracks for various artists, Christian was hunting for a new sound, one that became complete when he began working with Whitney. The result was layers of soul-inspired vocals and conflicted lyrics over drum-heavy beats that were at some times driving and other times spacious and dismal. A taste of serendipity led them downstairs to meet neighbor and bassist, Joel Soucy. When conversation stemmed to songwriting and recording, the three musicians instinctively began working together. 
                Christian and Whitney began to play shows around Ottawa as Sound of Lions. Seasoned for the stage, performance was like second nature for the duo. Christian delivered the instrumental element behind the confines of his turntables, while Whitney’s voice commanded the audience with a lurid resilience. Though Joel watched the show from off-stage, his rumbling presence was heard through every decibel of the loudspeakers. After much positive feedback, the three members began entertaining the idea of turning Sound Of Lions into a full band. And so, after months of searching, they came to find two eager candidates to fill their void: drummer Marco Campagna and guitarist/vocalist, Will Assaad.
                The five members worked feverishly, transforming the digitally crafted tracks into full-band anthems; the process of which endured for a year in various rehearsal spaces around town. The tracks came together quickly, as a result of immediate chemistry and a ton of previous experience brought forth by each individual band member. Throughout this creative period they still played live, opening for the likes of Skratch Bastid and Aloe Blacc and headlining the Ottawa School of Art fundraiser.
                When the time inevitably came to release a full length record, Sound of Lions appointed the task of producing, mixing and engineering to Jason Fee (Amos the Transparent, The Love Machine). The album title “11:44” references a superstition, that, to the band, represents the effort and dedication behind the album and the hopeful prediction that diligence pays off. From the solid and simplistic labyrinths coming from the rhythm section to the jarring disconnected guitars; it’s apparent that each member stayed true to their musical core. Songs like “Enders” and “One” are testaments to their love for the 90’s-early 2000’s trip hop movement.
 For a debut album, the sound is disciplined and mature and for a young band, the hype and drive behind them is explosive and deserving. Sound of Lions is coming to blow up a set of speakers near you.