The Latency Explained

The Latency
Origin:Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
Years Active:2006–2011
Label:MapleMusic
Past Members:
  • Brandon Lehti
  • Ryan Stead
  • Mathew Gendron
  • Jonny Wiebe

The Latency was a Canadian pop rock group from Maple Ridge, British Columbia. The band formed in 2006 and signed with MapleMusic Recordings, before releasing their debut self-titled album on September 8, 2009. In 2010, they began working on their second studio album, before the group disbanded in 2011.

The band consisted of rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist Brandon Lehti, lead guitarist Ryan Stead, bassist Mathew Gendron and drummer Jonny Wiebe.

History

Vocalist Brandon Lehti, guitarist Ryan Stead and bassist Mathew Gendron were 15 when they met at a Battle of Bands contest, while attending Garibaldi Secondary School.[1] They decided to form the band in 2006 after their separate bands broke up.[2] Lehti started on drums before moving up as the band's vocalist while Jonny Wiebe joined as the drummer.[3] The name, "The Latency" was thought of by the band which refers to potential energy.[4] The group was discovered by bassist Tommy Mac of Hedley, who helped produced their debut album.[5] According to Lehti, the band met Mac who came to their high school as a guest speaker and later became their manager as soon as the band got started.[5] They posted their first track onto YouTube in April 2007, a song titled, "Your Time's Been Up for a While Now".[6] On July 1, 2008, the band released their debut EP, Chomp!![7] and supported Hedley on their Western Canadian tour.[8] In the spring of 2009, the band went on tour in Ontario.[2] The group also headlined the Samapalooza festival in March 2009.[9] They were nominated for Favourite Pop Artist/Group at the Independent Music Awards in 2009.[10]

Without any label support, the group released their debut single, "Tonight, I Love You" in 2008.[1] The song received nation-wide radio airplay, and peaked at number 93 on the Canadian Hot 100.[11] The success of the song led to the band attracting the interest of several record labels. The Latency were soon signed to MapleMusic Recordings.[1] A music video for the single was released in 2009 and reached number one on the MuchMusic Countdown. The song was also featured on the Canadian teen drama television show, Degrassi.[12] On May 19, 2009, Chomp!! was re-released digitally onto iTunes.[13] The second single released from their debut album, "Kids", was sent for radio airplay on May 26.[14] In September 2009, the group released their debut studio album, The Latency and joined Simple Plan, Marianas Trench and Plain White T's on tour in support of the album.[1] They also supported Shiloh on the Scene tour,[15] as well as performing on MuchOnDemand in September 2009.[16] "All You Wanted" was released as the album's third single and premiered on MuchMusic on July 24, 2009.[17] The Latency was nominated for Pop Recording of the Year at the 2010 Western Canadian Music Awards.[18] The fourth single released from their debut studio album, "Fork in the Road", was released in February 2010.[5] "Tonight, I Love You" was nominated for Hot Adult Contemporary Song of the Year at the 2010 Canadian Radio Music Awards, but lost to Karl Wolf's "Africa".[19] In March 2010, Lehti took part in Young Artists for Haiti to raise funds to support the victims of the 2010 earthquake performing K'naan's "Wavin' Flag".[20]

In April 2010, the group embarked on the SASS tour, in promotion of the School Alliance of Student Songwriters program.[21] The band later supported Faber Drive on the Can't Keep a Secret tour along with These Kids Wear Crowns, Jesse Labelle and The New Cities.[22] During the tour, the group began working on writing songs with Faber Drive after Dave Faber asked them.[23] The band also confirmed that they were working on their second studio album and had already finished four tracks.[1] In November 2010, the band made a guest appearance on the American comedy-drama television show, Hellcats.[24] The album's lead single, "Music to Me" was released on June 23, 2011.[25] The group performed at the Maple Ridge Music Fest in July 2011.[26] On December 4, 2011, the group announced that they would be parting ways, ultimately cancelling the release of their second album.[27] The band released the three remaining tracks intended for their second album, "Break The Ice", "Hero" and "Still Believe In You" on MySpace before splitting up.[28]

To date, Lehti releases music as a solo artist independently.[29] He has released two EPs, Heartbreak Getaway and Bridges.[30] Stead formed the band, The Millennials.[31] He also releases music independently and has worked as a session and touring guitarist for many artists including, Fefe Dobson, Carly Rae Jepsen, Luke Combs and Meghan Patrick.[32] He released his debut album, Useless on April 14, 2020.[33] Weibe currently works as a brand partnerships manager.[34] He also drums on occasions for Canadian artist, Jessia.[35]

Musical style

Their music has been described as pop rock,[2] pop punk[9] and emo pop. Lehti and Stead who both come from broken homes, used that experience to write songs that listeners can relate to.[2] The band blends vocal hooks, metal riffs and strong beats to help connect them with the audience.[2] While working on their cancelled second studio album before the band broke up, they took a different approach with their sound opting for a more organic sound, featuring more instrumentation, piano, strings and horns.[1]

Members

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" style="width:16em;"
Album details
The Latency

Extended plays

Title! scope="col" style="width:16em;"
EP details
Chomp
  • Released: July 1, 2008
  • Label: MapleMusic
  • Format: CD, digital download

Singles

Title! rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
CAN
CAN
HAC

[36]
"Tonight, I Love You"200893 28Chomp!
"Kids"[37] 2009The Latency
"All You Wanted"[38]
"Fork in the Road"[39] 2010
"Music to Me"2011
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Music videos

TitleYearDirector(s)
"Tonight, I Love You"2009Colin Minihan[40]
"Kids"John Poliquin[41]
"Fork in the Road"2010[42]

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryNominated workResultRef.
2009Independent Music AwardsFavourite Pop Artist/GroupThe Latency
2010Western Canadian Music AwardsPop Recording of the YearThe Latency
Canadian Radio Music AwardsHot Adult Contemporary"Tonight, I Love You"[43]
Chart Attack Readers' PollSexiest Canadian ManRyan Stead[44]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Latency headlines Maple Ridge battle. Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News. Monisha Martins. May 4, 2011. January 26, 2024.
  2. Web site: The Latency makes stop in Newmarket. yorkregion.com. March 10, 2009. January 26, 2024.
  3. Web site: Making Contact - May 2nd, 2016 - 9 AM Edition. Spencer Paul. SoundCloud. Evolution Podcast Network. May 2, 2016. March 4, 2024.
  4. The Latency Is Getting All Fired Up. Faze. Breanna Myles. January 26, 2024.
  5. Canadian Band The Latency Show A Little SASS. Faze. January 26, 2024.
  6. Web site: Your Time's Been Up for a While Now. YouTube. January 27, 2024.
  7. Web site: The Latency - Bio. thelatency.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090821083415/http://www.thelatency.com:80/bio.php. August 21, 2009. January 26, 2024.
  8. Web site: The Latency - Website. thelatency.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20080913043754/https://thelatency.com/. September 13, 2008. January 26, 2024.
  9. Web site: The Latency to headline Samapalooza concert. The Squamish Chief. Kim Thompson. March 6, 2009. January 26, 2024.
  10. Web site: 2009 Nominees/Winners. Indies.ca. January 26, 2024.
  11. Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of February 28, 2009. Billboard. January 26, 2024.
  12. Web site: Throwback Thursday - The Latency - Tonight, I Love You. Canadian Beats. Jenna Melanson. July 4, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20200918103138/https://canadianbeats.ca/2013/07/04/throwback-thursday-the-latency-tonight-i-love-you/. September 18, 2020. January 26, 2023.
  13. Web site: Chomp!! - EP by The Latency. iTunes. Apple Store. https://web.archive.org/web/20131104034238/https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/chomp!!-ep/id315758722. November 4, 2013. January 26, 2024.
  14. 1932151519. TheLatency. New single "Kids" at radio now! Request it on your local radio station. May 26, 2009.
  15. Web site: Shiloh happy to be positive pop influence. Red Deer Advocate. Leo Paré. September 8, 2009. January 27, 2024.
  16. Web site: MuchOnDemand: The Latency Live Performance - Sept 4, '09. MuchMusic. https://web.archive.org/web/20090911040313/http://watch.muchmusic.com:80/muchondemand/2009/the-latency-live-performance---sept-4-09/. September 11, 2009. January 31, 2024.
  17. Web site: First Spin Singles: Jay-Z, Paramore and More. MuchMusic. July 24, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20120726072026/http://blog.muchmusic.com/first-spin-singles-jay-z-paramore-and-more/. July 26, 2012. May 11, 2024.
  18. Web site: Western Canadian Music Award Nominations!. vancouverisawesome.com. Christine Mcavoy. August 10, 2010. January 26, 2024.
  19. Web site: Drake, Nickelback nab Canadian radio prizes. CBC News. March 13, 2010. January 27, 2024.
  20. Web site: Watch Young Artists For Haiti's 'Wavin' Flag'. MuchMusic. March 12, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100317003605/http://blog.muchmusic.com/watch-young-artists-for-haiti-wavin-flag/. March 17, 2010. March 4, 2024.
  21. Web site: The Latency performs at Durham schools. DurhamRegion.com. April 9, 2010. January 26, 2024.
  22. Web site: Faber Drive's Andrew Stricko's Crazy Tour Blog. MuchMusic. April 30, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100810184443/http://blog.muchmusic.com/faber-drives-andrew-strickos-crazy-tour-blog/. August 10, 2010. May 11, 2024.
  23. Web site: The Latency to Pen Songs For Faber Drive. MuchMusic. April 28, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20121022185656/http://blog.muchmusic.com/the-latency-to-pen-songs-for-faber-drive/. October 22, 2012. May 11, 2024.
  24. 2458345348792321. TheLatency. We're on @HellcatsTV tonight! Keep your eyes pealed! Watch it on CTV or the @CW_network.. November 10, 2010.
  25. Web site: Music To Me - Single by The Latency. Apple Music. January 26, 2024.
  26. Web site: Local talent at Friday's Maple Ridge Music Fest. Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News. July 19, 2011. March 4, 2024.
  27. 143515621412438017. TheLatency. The Latency Says Goodbye. December 4, 2011.
  28. Web site: The Latency - MySpace. MySpace. https://web.archive.org/web/20120205231104/https://myspace.com/thelatency. February 5, 2012. February 27, 2024.
  29. Web site: Your EDM Premiere: KYFRA X Eche Palante FT. Brandon Lehti - I Got You [Tipsy Records]]. YourEDM.com. Jeffrey Yau. May 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160504142149/https://www.youredm.com/2016/05/03/edm-premiere-kyfra-x-eche-palante-ft-brandon-lehti-got/. May 4, 2016. March 6, 2024.
  30. Web site: Brandon Lehti - Bandcamp. Bandcamp. January 27, 2024.
  31. Web site: Maple Ridge father/daughter team nominated for five B.C. Country Music awards. Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News. Ryan Uytdewilligen. October 12, 2019. March 6, 2024.
  32. Web site: Industry Feature Friday: Ryan Stead (Guitarist). Studio B Podcast. Sarah Scott. February 24, 2023. January 27, 2024.
  33. Web site: Artist of the Day - Ryan Stead. Starlite Sessions. May 17, 2020. March 6, 2024.
  34. Web site: Jonny Weibe - Linkedin. LinkedIn. January 27, 2024.
  35. jonnywiebe. Cfk31hgD3WR. "Conviction" by @jessiamusic on Canada Day 2022 @saugalive. July 4, 2022.
  36. Canada Hot AC: Week of March 14, 2009. Billboard. January 26, 2024.
  37. Web site: Kids - Single by The Latency. AllMusic. January 26, 2024.
  38. Web site: Spotlight: The Latency. The Eddy Riverside. 7. March 11, 2010. February 15, 2024.
  39. Web site: Fork In the Road / Drops of Jupiter [Digital 45] - Single]. Apple Music. January 26, 2024.
  40. Web site: The Latency - Tonight, I Love You. MuchMusic. https://web.archive.org/web/20091016054825/http://watch.muchmusic.com/muchondemand/2009/the-latency-live-performance---sept-4-09/clip156854#clip156854. October 16, 2009. August 10, 2024.
  41. Web site: The Latency - Kids (Closed-Captioned). YouTube. January 27, 2024.
  42. Web site: The Latency - Fork In The Road. YouTube. January 27, 2024.
  43. Web site: Nickelback, Karl Wolf lead race for radio airplay awards. CBC News. January 13, 2010. January 27, 2024.
  44. Web site: 16th Annual Year-End Readers' Poll – Sexiest Canadian Man. Chart Attack. December 8, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20150310042726/http://www.chartattack.com/news/2010/12/08/16th-annual-year-end-readers-poll-sexiest-canadian-man/. March 10, 2015. August 10, 2024.