FASHION Reporters

Charlottetown: New (fashion) Royalty

15 comments

It might come as a surprise to some that Charlottetown has a killer local music scene. The Danks, Smothered in Hugs, The Robots and Two Hours Traffic (whose music has been featured on The O.C., and who were recently nominated for a couple of Verge music awards) are just a few of the local bands that are beginning to make serious waves on a national scale.

However, despite the growing prominence of Island rock music, the all ages crowd continues to be constantly overlooked.  New Royalty is one of these often ignored bands, but with a fashion sense that matches their musical skills, this will probably change.

The group consists of Tristan Gray (drums), Ben Schulman (guitar), Chris Francis (bass), Morgan O’Leary (keys) and Lily Forsythe (vocals). New Royalty have been around less than two years, but have already released an EP entitled Sleepover!, received a grant from non-profit group Music PEI and created a sound that’s somewhat reminiscent of The New Pornographers and Los Campesinos!.

On top of that, the band is super fashionable. Lily and Morgan rock out in the tiniest of dresses with the toughest of boots, while Chris and Ben have a tendency towards sweater vests and nerd glasses. Drummer Tristan Gray wins the band’s most unique dresser award—with his hodgepodge of bright colors and acid wash jeans, he looks like something straight out of the online pages of Hel Looks.

Check out New Royalty at myspace.com/newroyaltypei or catch them live on the Confederation Centre of the Arts Mainstage on Saturday, January 17 for the PEI Music Awards.

Photography by Sam Stewart

Join the discussion

  • New Royalty Fandom

    I really love this band. The song Green Canoe completes me, and Chris Francis is hot.
    Vote New Royalty!

  • anoy

    Tristan Gray is pretty.

  • from Jim frant

    Their myspace rules. Keep up the great work

  • Jonah

    great photo–who is the photog?

  • Sarah

    New Royalty makes me want to dance. Great article, Amanda, I’m glad to see this band getting some great coverage!
    And Morgan’s blue shirt/dress is adorable.

  • Yes

    Yes YEs YES. New Royalty is my favorite! I came over from New Brunswick just to watch them play at the Music Awards this weekend. Please pay attention to this band-they are going places!!!

  • Jill

    Amanda, I have never heard of this group, however since I started reading your articles I find myself shopping in neat little vintage stores, wearing island jewelry and just looking hip. So where do I purchase this cd NEW ROYALTY ? Hey maybe i will just catch their show at the confed. Centre. Great Article Amanda

  • Kerri-Anne

    are all of the boys in this band as hot as the look in this picture?

  • Bruce Wayne

    Chris Francis looks like he knows the answer and can’t wait to tell the teacher. Great article Bulman!

  • Argh!

    love this band…love Chris Francis’s pretty face even more.

  • ifeellikeacougar

    Is it weird that I have a Zack Efron type crush on Ben and Chris?

  • ialsofeellikeacougar

    I think the message I want to portray in in my name.

  • fan

    While perhaps the members of the bands are not ugly I appreciate their musical talent much more. Their songs are great and catchy and they have a very unique style. It is appreciated on P.E.I!

  • Julia

    I agree with fan. Their music is what keeps me dancing to their EP. I’m not really sure what good looks have to do with anything.

  • fan # 2

    Morgan – I love that dress . . .

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