Mutual Benefit. Whitney Lee photo.

Preview – Mutual Benefit’s Love’s Crushing Diamond tour

– by Katie Maki

Touring their album Love’s Crushing Diamond in the New Year, Mutual Benefit plays the Cobalt Jan 21. Opening the show is Vancouver’s White Poppy, aka Crystal Dorval, who released her debut album only a few months back.

Mutual Benefit was founded by multi-instrumentalist Jordan Lee in 2009 when he started releasing songs on his bandcamp page. Besides the frontman, the band has an ever-changing line-up. Their live show in 2014 will feature Jordan and Whitney Lee on vocals, guitar and synth, plus a guitarist, bassist and percussionist.

Past collaborators have included Andrew Morehart, Katie Pierce, Bradley Will and Samuel Yager. The recent record includes Marc Merza on guitar, Cameron Potter on drums, and Jake Falby on violin.

Lee has released six records as Mutual Benefit, all which were digital albums. But Love’s Crushing Diamond is his first LP record. It features the tracks “Advanced Falconry” and “Lets Play”, both which are available for a listen on his bandcamp page. Mutual Benefit also released a new music video for “Advanced Falconry”. It was created by BANGS and directed by Allie Avital Tsypin.

Video – Mutual Benefit, “Advanced Falconry”:

Due to the album’s success, Mutual Benefit’s 2014 tour was increased to include several European and Canadian dates. The record has received recognition as Best New Music, along with two Best New Tracks on Pitchfork, along with a Stereogum feature “Band to Watch”.

Lee has also gained coverage from several music sources, including the Rolling Stone, and Entertainment Weekly. The New York Times gave the album a rave review stating, “The album carries a haunting power that couldn’t help but find a larger audience.”

Vancouver is the only Western Canadian city on the tour so far. The only other Canadian dates are in Montreal and Toronto. His record can be purchased now on Other Music Recording Co.