In 2000, Our Lady Peace released the track Spiritual Machines, marking their emergence as one of Canada’s most successful alternative rock bands. Their global fame, however, skyrocketed with the release of their next album, Gravity, produced by Bob Rock, which yielded numerous hits and established OLP as an international force. Today on torontoski, we delve into the band’s formation, the ideology behind their albums, their accolades, and their Canadian tour.
Band Members and Awards
Our Lady Peace consists of Raine Maida (vocals), Duncan Coutts (bass), Jason Pierce (drums), and Steve Mazur (lead guitar). They have sold over five million albums worldwide, won four Juno Awards, and garnered ten MuchMusic Video Awards—making them one of MMVA’s most decorated artists. The band has toured globally alongside acts like The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses, Van Halen, and Goo Goo Dolls. Additionally, they founded their own music festival, Summersault, and performed at legendary events such as Woodstock ’99 and Live 8.
Their debut album, Naveed (1995), became part of the North American post-grunge wave, leading to the release of nine more albums, many achieving double-platinum status.
The Ideology of Spiritual Machines
The concept album Spiritual Machines, inspired by futurist Ray Kurzweil’s book (whose voice features on the album), marked a departure from OLP’s typical rock formula. It merged guitar anthems with futuristic themes of artificial intelligence and the legal status of computers. While the album’s sales were moderate, it became a critical and fan favourite over time, now regarded as one of Canada’s most influential alternative rock records.
Twenty years later, with 86% of Kurzweil’s predictions realized, OLP felt compelled to craft new visions of the future. This led to the creation of Spiritual Machines 2, a highly anticipated sequel produced by Dave Sitek (TV on the Radio) and Jason Lader. Kurzweil returned to provide fresh predictions on AI, universal basic income, and global issues like hunger and poverty.
The Creation and Concept of Spiritual Machines 2
Spiritual Machines 2 opens with the lead single, Stop Making Stupid People Famous, inspired by the art of Plastic Jesus and featuring Nadya Tolokonnikova from Pussy Riot. Anchored by a bassline reminiscent of Talking Heads, the track evolved under Sitek’s guidance into an upbeat, danceable anthem echoing David Bowie and U2’s Zooropa. The song critiques society’s obsession with fame, calling for meaningful aspirations.
Other highlights include:
- Future Disease: A track embodying “future rock” with a blend of irony and urgency.
- Holes: A sister song to OLP’s earlier hit Superman’s Dead, exploring life’s darker moments.
- 19 Days: A contemplative piece on healing and technology’s role in it.
- Temporary Healing: The album’s closing track, emphasizing resilience and renewal.
The album was recorded remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, challenging the band to adapt their creative process. Themes of progress, contradictions in technology, and questions about humanity’s future are woven throughout, with tracks like Simulation and Good Die Young posing deep existential questions.
Kurzweil’s contributions include spoken segments offering fresh insights, such as the possibility of living in a simulation and achieving breakthroughs in universal income and AI.
The Wonderful Future Tour
In June 2022, OLP launched The Wonderful Future Theatrical Experience tour across Canada, named after the final track on their 2000 album. The tour featured innovative holographic display capsules showcasing pre-recorded videos with band members and special guests, including Sarah Slean, Nadya Tolokonnikova, Ray Kurzweil, and former OLP guitarist Mike Turner.
Turner also performed live at select locations, marking his first appearance with the band since his departure in 2001.
In December 2022, OLP released their rendition of Jane’s Addiction’s Mountain Song, further showcasing their musical versatility.
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