Picture by Ryan Wagner
ABOUT
Emerging from Vancouver’s dynamic music scene and now based in the Okanagan Valley, Down The Lees crafts a blend of heavy guitars, driving bass, and propulsive drums, anchored by founder Laura Lee Schultz’s distinctive vocals. Her lyrics deliver stark truths with a balance of intensity and vulnerability.
Growing up in the 90s Vancouver live scene, Laura Lee played in bands like Queazy, New Years Resolution, and Skinjobs, touring Canada and the USA. In 2005, she started Down The Lees as a solo project, writing and performing all the parts on her debut album 360 1/4 DEGREES. The album marked the beginning of a sound that combined personal storytelling with layered, dynamic arrangements.
Her second album, THE GUEST ROOM (2008), featured guest musicians and was recorded at Vancouver’s Mushroom Studios. In 2012, she released the WEAR ME OUT EP, recorded in her home studio with additional guest performances. These early releases captured a period of exploration and growth in her songwriting.
In 2015, Laura Lee moved to Belgium, where she found a strong connection to Ghent’s noise rock scene. There, Down The Lees shifted from a solo project into a full band. With drummer Jonathan Frederix and bassist Kwinten Gluehorse, the group developed a heavier, more direct sound and played frequently across Belgium, France, and The Netherlands.
In 2019, they recorded BURY THE SUN with Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago. The album was tracked and mixed over the course of a week and focused on capturing the raw energy of the trio. Released by Off White House Records and Wagonmaniac, BURY THE SUN led to a European tour and an invitation to support The Sisters of Mercy on tour in Italy.
Picture by Ryan Wagner
The pandemic brought a pause to touring and prompted Laura Lee’s return to Canada. After some time off, she reformed the band with a new lineup: Chris Carlson on bass and Andy Ashley on drums. Together, they continued to build on the band’s earlier work, bringing new ideas and energy to their sound.
In 2024, Down The Lees released an EP produced by Jesse Gander at Raincity Recorders. The lead single, Douse, won Best Song at the OSIF Awards, and the band was featured in the RCA Presents series, which highlights standout live acts from the Okanagan Valley and beyond. It was also funded by Creative BC to film and record as a live concert album.
Over the years, Down The Lees has shared stages with KEN mode, Brutus, Sparta, Dead Bob, Cult Dreams, among other notable acts and appeared on numerous festival stages. Known for intense live performances, the band continues to evolve while maintaining a focus on honest, emotionally driven music.
Outside of the band, Laura Lee co-founded Girls to the Front, an Okanagan-based festival that celebrates female, non-binary, and 2SLGBTQIA+ artists. She also founded Off White House Records, an artist collective and label supporting bands from Canada, Europe, and the USA.
From small clubs in Vancouver to DIY spaces in Ghent, to festival stages and beyond, Down The Lees continues to move forward, grounded in community and a commitment to making meaningful music.