SPIN is a modern concept record – a collection of catchy, hook infused songs that have at their centre, both as inspiration and instrument, one thing: the bicycle. By taking a bike – an object that hasn’t changed its function or form in over 100 years – and fusing it to modern technology, we have created a contemporary instrument that is completely unique. You’ve never heard a record like SPIN. Innovative Canadian songwriter, poet and theatre artist evalyn parry takes takes the listener on a journey through the last 150 years – tracing the bike’s evolution and underlining it’s significance as a catalyst of social change. From 19th century women’s emancipation to 21st century consumer culture; from social history to contemporary social comment, SPIN is build around the bicycle-as-instrument, creating a completely distinctive foundation for evalyn’s award–winning songwriting. The album (which is the soundtrack to the theatrical production of the same name) features evalyn parry on electric and acoustic guitars and lead vocals, Brad Hart on the 1972 CCM Galaxie Bicycle , bicycle pump and vocals, and sound artist Anna Friz on bike lights, imbira, harmonica, accordian, melodica, leatherman and vocals. The 1972 CCM Galaxie model is hooked up to contact microphones, a loop station and reverb/delay pedal; played by percussionist Brad Hart, it becomes an evocative and versatile instrument. At times recalling the “junkyard soundscapes” of Tom Waits, there are moments on the record where you are not sure what you are listening to. The natural spring reverb of the vinyl bike seat creates an amazing “bass drum”; tuned spokes play melodies; fenders, pedals and frame all make wildly different sounds when played with hands, brushes or sticks; not to mention the otherworldly noise of a violin bow playing the spokes, or the techno-beat made by the amplified buzz of bicycle lights. On some songs, like the catchy “She Rides” and the anthemic “Progress”, the bike functions as a driving rhythm section, pushing guitars and voices forward. The bicycle also creates sinewy, hypnotic rhythms, heard on the trip–hop influenced “World of Spin” as well as on the record’s centerpiece, the 12-minute groove-heavy, radio-play styled “Ballad of Annie Londonderry”. On this track, vintage microphones and turn of the century jingles collide with modern rhythm and melody to create a unique sonic hybrid – over which evalyn spins an unforgettable tale of perseverance and adventure: Annie Londonderry, the first woman to ride around the world on a bicycle, in 1894. SPIN is a collaboration between songwriter evalyn parry, musicians Brad Hart and Anna Friz and producer Don Kerr. Don brings the variety and scope of his music career to the production of SPIN. As a member of the legendary Canadian art-rock band The Rheostatics, Don is well versed in the world of progressive and conceptual music. The same spirit that lies behind that group’s seminal “Group of Seven” record can be found here – the mixing of the modern and the historical, the layering of melody, rhythm and soundscape to create a unique experience for the listener. But Don also has a keen ear for a great songwriter and song – as illustrated by his longstanding association with Ron Sexsmith – and it is with this skill that Don has helped to sculpt the great, contagious songs found at the centre of SPIN. His skill as a producer is clearly evident on this record – along with co-producers parry and Hart, Don Kerr has created deep sonic landscapes that are dense and fascinating, drawing the listener in and building that interest as the songs progress. Melodies and sounds from one song creep into another, giving the record the cohesion of a classic concept album – while still being a collection of great stand-alone songs. Blessed with “an ethereally beautiful singing voice” (NOW Magazine), evalyn is a captivating performer, who’s outspoken, personal and political performances are inspired by a powerful vision of social activism, spinning language and ideas as deftly as Hart spins, plucks and bows the wheels of the bicycle. SPIN is full of brand new ideas and sounds, unlike any record that evalyn and her collaborators have made before. For bicycle enthusiasts, and music and story lovers alike, SPIN is a uniquely captivating record: well worth taking for a ride. Want to know more about the theatrical production SPIN? Read on! SPIN premiered at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in March 2011, where it sold out its two week run. Now, OutSpoke Productions is taking it on the road! (For more info about tour dates, see evalyn’s website) “part theatre, part musical gig, part spoken word poetry & part documentary...whatever it is, it is brilliant.” Toronto Star Innovative, award-winning Toronto artist evalyn parry takes her audience on an uncommon theatrical and musical journey in SPIN, her tour-de-force performance celebrating the Bicycle as muse, 
musical instrument and agent of social change. “..a welcome breath of fresh air….Parry makes something beautiful
 out of taking life into your own hands...” The Globe & Mail Inspired in part by the incredible true tale of Annie Londonderry -
the first woman to ride around the world on a bicycle in 1894 - parry
 spins a web of stories which travel from 19th century women’s emancipation to 21st century consumer culture, peeling back layers of history to ultimately reveal a profoundly contemporary and personal heart to her performance. “this magnetic artist and her winning production team invest the work with such intelligence and playfulness, it’s hard not to be charmed.” (NOW Magazine) parry’s “co-star”, a vintage bicycle, is suspended in a mechanic’s stand on stage. Backed by her unusual and highly accomplished band, the bike is played by percussionist Brad Hart, using brushes on the fenders, bows on the 
spokes and drum sticks on a variety of tuned bells, conjures an astonishing array of sounds with this iron horse, while, on the other side of the stage sound artist Anna Friz plays instruments from the more traditional (accordion, harmonica) to the even more unusual (amplified buzz 
from flashing bike lights), creating a richly textured and utterly unique sonic accompaniment to Parry’s songs and monologues. Projections by acclaimed designer Beth Kates add a captivating visual layer to SPIN, which directed by award-winning theatre artist Ruth Madoc-Jones. "the depth Parry gives to the concept of the bicycle through her script is quite staggering...an ingenious mixture of songs, monologues, video projection, and modern technology " Torontoist