Cycles define life. Seasons come and go. Relationships begin and end. Feelings appear, disappear, and re-appear stronger than before. On his first full-length album for Nettwerk Records, CICADA, Liam Titcomb found inspiration within that cycle.

"Cicadas are those prehistoric looking bugs that make a high-pitched buzzing sound in the summertime," explains the Toronto-based singer and songwriter. "There's a cicada that has a 13-year cycle. It disappears underground for years and then it comes back in a massive swarm. This record captures a feeling of re-emergence for me. The album has been a long time coming, and that's one of the reasons I called it CICADA."

In 2010, shortly after ending an intense relationship, Titcomb stole away to London for a month-long songwriting retreat. Exploring everything the UK had to offer and forging some incredible friendships in the process, he hit his stride as a writer and began penning the material that would eventually become his latest offering.

"My world opened up immensely while I was over there," he goes on. "There weren't any rules when it came to making music. Form and structure went out the window, and the goal was to simply write a great song. You learn the rules and structure. Then, you forget them and just create. London forced me into that mentality. It was a great shakeup, and I came home with some very different songs."

Among those songs was a demo for "Landslide". With a vulnerable acoustic melody and an unforgettable hook, it encapsulates a vivid bookend to a relationship. The track came across the desk of Nettwerk Records C.E.O. Terry McBride. He contacted Titcomb and quickly signed him to the label. The artist then spent the next year prolifically composing between London and Nashville.

"Landslide" holds a special significance beyond being a centerpiece of the final CICADA. He reveals, "Days before leaving to London, I'd left the most significant relationship of my life to date. I had a sudden realization that it wasn’t going to work out long term. We had a tear-jerking conversation, and I got on a plane. A landslide is unavoidable. It's not one person's fault or another. When the earth falls out from underneath your feet, there's nothing you can do. You just need to somehow deal with it and find a new way. The song captures that fresh, raw feeling.”

Embracing both classic folk and pop, Titcomb entered a Nashville studio with producer Jay Joyce [The Wallflowers, Cage The Elephant, Patty Griffin] in December 2011. After spending over a year writing, he jumped feet first into recording. In a little less than a month, playing everything alongside Joyce, the ten songs comprising the record were committed to tape.  On Christmas Eve, the artist returned to Toronto with a finished record in his hands.

The album's first single, "Love Don't Let Me Down", is a powerful collaboration with Joyce who wrote the song. The producer had played the original idea for Titcomb years before, and the singer always wanted to record it for a record. It finally felt right. Boasting a cinematic storyline and the singer's palpable delivery, the track remains both irresistible and inspiring. A plaintive banjo line rolls elegantly as Titcomb paints this poetic lyrical portrait.

"The song is dedicated to a brother or a best friend," he affirms. "When you're in an extremely dark place or you're sitting on the edge, you think of giving up hope because you don't see the light. You can lose faith and end up falling into the darkness. The song pleads with love or a higher power to pull you through. It's about being at the breaking point and begging."

On the other end of the spectrum, "Angeline" tells the tender story of a free spirited friend, while the title track “Cicada” rekindles a flurry of feelings complete with that familiar buzzing sound. While in Nashville, the cicadas had returned, and it only felt a propos to write a song about that natural phenomenon. "It's a metaphor for the cycle of love," he adds. "Emotions can lay dormant underground for years and then return as powerful as ever. They never really go away."

The same could be said for his love of music. His father was a folk singer and songwriter himself, and Titcomb grew up completely immersed in art, practically splitting his time between being backstage and at school. Falling in love with songwriters like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell at a young age, his fate as an artist was sealed.

At 16-years-old, he released his first album in Canada, and he became a presence in his home country. He toured alongside established artists such as Great Big Sea, Tom Cochrane, David Usher & Colin James. In 2006, he even received a nomination for "Best New Group" or "Solo Artist" at the Canadian Radio Music Awards. However, CICADA is truly his proper introduction to the rest of the world.

"This is a fresh start," he says. "I'm ready to go after the whole globe. There's a little bit of everything on this album. It's bittersweet at times. It's fun at times. This is who I am at the end of the day. There's no persona. I try to be genuine. I make music because I love it."

Audiences are going to love it too. "The most beautiful thing is when you connect with fans in the live setting," Titcomb concludes. "I hope fans find their own relationships with the songs. I just want to get the emotions across. That's the purest essence of music."

Liam Titcomb's new cycle truly begins with CICADA, and it's going to last a long time. 

“Liam Titcomb… has stardom written all over him… both his acoustic guitar work and lyrics are highly accessible yet also reveal tremendous depth and character – commercially-friendly but still plenty rooty; and his stage personality is confident bordering on cocky without being arrogant or pretentious.” - The Live Music Report

“…like a strong pull on an engine cord – it fires up right away and never stops sparking. …what lingers is Titcomb’s utterly captivating voice, lyrics and distinctive musical energy…” - The Hamilton Spectator

“…a very elevated, go-get-’em disc… your new road trip companion.” - Exclaim Magazine

“…a well written, propulsive collection…” - Eye Weekly

“…one of the best rising singer/songwriters in the country…” - 24 Hours

“…he’s got a lot more going on than connections…” - Now Magazine

“…the potential to be a successful radio artist for years to come…” - Chart Attack

“…Liam delivers a spirited yet diverse rock ’n’ roll sound…” - Tandem News

Liam Titcomb One of the Stars of Canada Day in N.B." - East Coast Music with Bob Mersereau

CICADA
Tracklisting:
1) Cicada
2) Landslide
3) Ricker Than We Know
4) Brick By Brick
5) Shift
6) Angeline
7) Love Don't Let Me Down
8) Jaded
9) Games
10) Reach Up

Cicada

Remember every step
Every blade of grass
No I can't forget
Your bare feet and your summer dress

All this time I'm waiting underground, way down
Everything is screaming cicada

You and me, we gotta circle back
How it used to be, yeah just like that
Wanna make you mine, can't get enough
'Cause it won't be long till mother earth's gonna swallow us up.

All this time I'm waiting underground, way down
My love is not fading, cicada
Hear me buzzing 'round, summertime
Everything is screaming cicada

All this time I'm waiting underground, way down
My love is not fading, cicada
Hear me buzzing 'round, summertime
Everything is screaming
Everything is screaming
Cicada
Everything is screaming cicada

(back to top)

Landslide I'm not always right but I'm sure of this
I just wish tonight, you'd see it my way
Broke our own hearts, was that not enough
We had to fall in love then watch it fall apart

We can't hide at all
Oh, the writing's on the wall

But you can't run from a Landslide
It's like trying to count all the tears you've cried

It's too late and god knows we've tried
But you can't run from a Landslide

This is hard to say, no good in goodbye
How do you walk away, how do we even try

And we can't hide at all
Oh, the writing's on the wall

But you can't run from a Landslide
It's like trying to count all the tears you've cried
It's too late and god knows we've tried
But you can't run from a Landslide

No way to escape, no place left to hide
Guess it's just too late, you can't run from a, you can't run

You can't run from a Landslide
It's like trying to count all the tears you've cried
It's too late and god knows we've tried
But you can't run from a Landslide

But you can't run from a Landslide
It's like trying to count all the tears you've cried
It's too late and god knows we've tried
But you can't run from a Landslide

(back to top)

Richer Than We Know

And it's a bliss that we're living in
Underneath each other's skin
Hold on tightly to this memory

'Cause there's nothing that we need
Nowhere we gotta go
As long as love as free
Baby we're richer than we know

A fight breaks out, across the street
By the park where the night birds meet
In slow motion, hearts beat

Though we don't have much to call our own
My heart just keeps overflowing
Holding tightly to this memory

'Cause there's nothing that we need
Nowhere we gotta go
As long as love as free
Baby we're richer than we know

There's nothing that we need
Nowhere we gotta go
As long as love as free
Oh we're richer than we know

Nothing that we need
Nowhere we gotta go
As long as love is free
Baby we're richer than we know

(back to top)

Brick By Brick

I don't even think you know

You tear me down, so bittersweet
Walls are falling, brick by brick
You ruin me
You shake the ground under my feet
Brick by brick you ruin me

Addicted to the pleasure pain
Draw you up into my veins
Slowly numb me
I don't care what people say
I'm gonna love you anyway
I'm way past saving

I don't even think you know

You tear me down, so bittersweet
Walls are falling, brick by brick
You ruin me You shake the ground under my feet
Brick by brick you ruin me

I could never give you up even if I tried

You tear me down, so bittersweet
Walls are falling, brick by brick
You ruin me
You shake the ground under my feet
Brick by brick
You tear me down, so bittersweet
Walls are falling, brick by brick
You ruin me

(back to top)

Shift

No, it won't take much
Oh, for each and every one of us

I can feel it in my bones, something is changing
We are not alone, can't you feel it shift
Everybody raise your voice, let your words be heard
Are you with me now brothers and sisters

No, it won't take much
Oh, for each and every one of us

Make the ground shake
Make the ground shake
Make the ground shake
Shake it like an earthquake
We are the people

No, it won't take much

Oh, for each and every one of us
No, it won't take much
Oh, for each and every one of us

(back to top)

Angeline Well you lived your whole life like a high wire act
No safety net and the wind at your back
Bet you gave your poor dad a heart attack, yeah
Craziest girl in the whole dame school
Had us all wishing that we were you
But no one had the balls or the follow through

Oh, Angeline I like your style
Saw everything through the eyes of a child
You only gave us a little while to see
Well you burned a hole right through this life
Came out clean on the other side
I guess you're finally where you're s'posed to be
Angeline

I can still see you dancing naked in the rain
Playing chicken with that cross town train
If I didn't know you I'd have called you insane

Oh, Angeline I like your style
Saw everything through the eyes of a child
You only gave us a little while to see
Well you burned a hole right through this life
Came out clean on the other side
I guess you're finally where you're s'posed to be
Angeline

When they called me to tell me you'd met your demise
Well, I let the tears fall from my eyes
'Cause I was stunned but I was hardly surprised

Oh, Angeline I like your style
Saw everything through the eyes of a child
You only gave us a little while to see
Well you burned a hole right through this life
Came out clean on the other side
I guess you're finally where you're s'posed to be
Angeline

(back to top)

Love Don't Let Me Down

Love don't let me down
Love don't let me down
Love don't let me down
Oh I'm counting on your love, right now

Something about your face
Helps me keep my faith
I get so tired of carrying this weight
Gotta let it all go before it gets too late

Love don't let me down
Love don't let me down
Love don't let me down
Oh I'm counting on your love, right now

Maybe I got nothing' to lose
I got nothing but time
Maybe I don't wanna miss you
Maybe I wanna give it one more try

Love don't let me down
Love don't let me down
Love don't let me down
Oh I'm counting on your love, right now

(back to top)

Jaded

The lunatic's inside my mind or maybe I'm
So over medicated, my blood's contaminated,
I don't know if it's real or just hallucinated

I can't seem to find, any peace of mind

I'm jaded, you can't phase me
Jaded, you can't amaze me
And if you really see all the tragedy
Than you're jaded just like me

Big brother's got his eye on me, can't you see
My soul's been violated by incorporated,
Syndicated propaganda made to make the world indoctrinated

I've sunk as low as I can go, don't you know
My hearts asphyxiated, can't be resuscitated, think I'll have it
Amputated and donated to a charity

I'm jaded, you can't phase me
Jaded, you can't amaze me
And if you really see all the tragedy
Than you're jaded just like me

(back to top)

Games

I used to lay awake trying to figure you out
But there's no way in hell you'd catch me doing that now

No more scissors, paper, stone and tic tac toe
You can make a million dollars on the radio
Snakes and ladders and one-eyed jacks
Ain't playin' like that, I'm done with all these games

You're always saying something but you really mean something else
And you tell me that you love me but you really only love yourself

It used to make me think I'd done something wrong
But I'm through with all that thinking, I'm moving on

No more scissors, paper, stone and tic tac toe
You can make a million dollars on the radio
Snakes and ladders and one-eyed jacks
Ain't playin' like that, I'm done with all these games

No more games, this time I'm through
No more games, this time the table's turned on you

No more scissors, paper, stone and tic tac toe
You can make a million dollars on the radio
Snakes and ladders and one-eyed jacks
Ain't playin' like that, I'm done with all these games

No more scissors, paper, stone and tic tac toe
You can make a million dollars on the radio
Snakes and ladders and one-eyed jacks
Ain't playin' like that, I'm done with all these games

(back to top)

Reach Up

How's he s'posed to walk
In a sacred way
If we can't keep our word
And don't mean what we say

Smoke signal rises
Over the clouds
Thunder and lightening
Spirits sing loud

Smell the sweet grass
Hear the drum pound
Do a ghost dance
Feet off the ground

Reach up for something higher
We gotta reach up for something higher

First robin sings
A brave first song
She's calling in the spring
No, it won't be long

Stop and give thanks
To the light of the dawn

Wise grey clouds
Sing another song

Reach up for something higher
We gotta reach up for something higher

Smell the sweet grass
Hear the drum pound
Do a ghost dance
Feet off the ground

And reach up, yeah reach up
Come on, reach up, reach up
Whoah reach up, yeah reach up
Come on, reach up, reach up
We gotta reach up for something higher
We gotta reach up, reach up, reach up

(back to top)

CREDITS

Cicada written by Liam Titcomb, Jay Joyce
Landslide written by Liam Titcomb, Grant Black, Jerry Abbott
Richer Than We Know written by Liam Titcomb, Colin Linden
Brick By Brick written by Liam Titcomb, Shelly Poole, Jez Ashurst
Shift written by Liam Titcomb, Jay Joyce, Blu Sanders
Angeline written by Liam Titcomb, Jason White
Love Don't Let Me Down written by Jay Joyce
Jaded written by Liam TItcomb, Jason White
Games written by Liam TItcomb, Grant Black, Jetty Abbott
Reach Up written by Liam Titcomb, Jay Joyce

• Produced by Jay Joyce except for Landslide, co-produced by Thomas 'Tawgs' Salter, Jerry Abbott and Grant Black.
• Mixed by Jay Joyce.
• Mastered by Andrew Mendelson at Georgetown Mastering, compiled by Craig Waddell.
• Engineered by Jay Joyce, Jason Hall and Liam Titcomb. Assistant engineer; Matt Wheeler. Except for Landslide, engineered by Jerry Abbott and Tawgs Salter.
• Recorded and mixed at: Tragedy/Tragedy Studios in Nashville, USA. Except for Landslide, recorded at Rhodeshouse Studios in London, UK and The Shack Point in Abino, ON. 
• All instruments played by Liam Titcomb and Jay Joyce.
• Except for Landslide. 
• Liam: vocals, acoustic/electric guitars. 
• Tawgs Salter: keys, programming, percussion. 
• Rich Moore: bass. 
• Lyle Molzan: drums and percussion. 
• Jerry Abbott: acoustic/electric guitars, keys, programming, percussion. 
• Additional vocals on Brick by Brick by Leigh Nash. 
• Additional vocals on Jaded and Shift by Blu Sanders.
• Photography by Saam Hashemi.