From basement jams to festival stages, The Lionyls reflect on evolution, honesty, and the art of playing without fear.
Ottawa’s music scene has long had its staples—and The Lionyls are one of them. Known for a genre-bending fusion of rock, soul, funk, and R&B, the five-piece band has spent the past decade building a sound that’s equal parts raw and refined, and a live show that’s nothing short of electric.
The Lionyls were born from a merging of two bands, but their sound defies anything singular. Drawing on deep roots in classic soul and rock with the improvisational spirit of jazz and funk, they’ve evolved into one of the city’s most respected acts, sharing stages at the likes of Ottawa Bluesfest, NXNE, and the Ottawa Jazz Festival, and winning accolades from both fans and fellow artists.
As they gear up for the release of new music in 2025, we caught up with vocalists Zach Raynor, guitarist Robbie Rigg, and bassist Alex Jee, to talk evolution, community, and the power of mistakes.
How did the band come together—and where did the name come from?
Robbie: Zach and I met through a mutual friend while in different bands. Mine was The Mongrels with Alex, and Zach was in The Lionyls. We merged our two groups and just kept going.
Zach: The name came from a pun—“lion” and “vinyl.” Lion is fierce, vinyl is timeless. That tension is part of our sound.
Tell us a bit about each of your musical backgrounds.
The band’s diverse roots shape our layered sound. Zach grew up listening to everything from Al Green and Led Zeppelin to Busta Rhymes, drawing inspiration from genre-defiers like Prince and D’Angelo. Alex was inspired to pick up bass by Geddy Lee and shaped by grunge, funk, and jazz. Robbie grew up on blues and classic rock, with Hendrix as a gateway into funk, afrobeat, and soul. Adrian learned drums in church as a toddler and brings an instinctive, groove-heavy style. Nathaniel, classically trained through the Royal Conservatory, adds jazz-informed harmonic richness on keys.
Your music is described as timeless and modern. How do you balance that?
Zach: It’s a natural process. We consume a lot of old and new music, but we’re creating through a modern lens. We also don’t over-polish. Sometimes a mistake adds humanity and honesty.
How have festivals shaped you as a band?
Robbie: Whether it’s 5 or 5,000 people, each show teaches us something. Learning to give your best every time, no matter the size of the crowd, is a standard we always try to uphold.
What are you trying to create in a live show?
Zach: Connection. Songs create moments. We want our performances to feel like shared emotional space—joy, frustration, love, whatever it is. That kind of release is real when your intention is.
What’s your songwriting process like now?
Alex: It’s collaborative. We’ll jam or bring in rough song ideas and shape them as a group. Once it’s close, our producer Jason Jaknunas helps us refine it. The real magic happens in the studio.
You’ve stayed involved in Ottawa’s music scene. What does community mean to you?
Zach: Community is everything. Art thrives when shared. When we collaborate, give feedback, and show up for each other, we all grow. Ottawa has such a strong network of artists and creatives—it’s alive and inspiring.
How has your sound changed since your first releases?
Robbie: There’s more space and intention. When you’re young, you throw everything into a song. Now, we’re more focused. Sometimes that means exploring simplicity or letting things breathe.
What themes are you exploring on the next album?
Zach: Honesty. I want the lyrics to reflect real emotion—personal or collective. It’s about making something that connects on a deeper level.
Where do you hope The Lionyls go next?
Alex: We want to help put Ottawa on the national map. The talent here is serious.
Zach: I’d love to tour internationally, bring back inspiration, and keep Ottawa as our creative home base.
What’s coming up this year?
Alex: We’ve got shows lined up in Ottawa and festivals like River & Sky and Howe Island. Two new singles are coming this summer, and our next EP drops in the fall. We’re planning a full-length for 2026.
What’s your best advice for new bands starting out in Ottawa?
Zach: Just start. Try things. Expect mistakes. Feedback—especially from messing up—is how you grow. It’s a process. Take time, revise, and keep showing up. That’s how you build something solid.
