Pike accepts his calling by Dave Veitch, Calgary Sun Tuesday, July, 18, 2000

Looking back, Bryan Potvin realizes he was never cut out to be a record company guy. When his band The Northern Pikes dissolved in 1994, the singer-guitarist put aside his own musical career and found employment at Mercury Records Canada where, for the ensuing four years, he discovered and developed young talent. There was just one problem.

"Honestly, I didn't like the gig that much," recalls Potvin. "All the instruments in my house were cased and collecting dust and I really began feeling this void in my life.... There was something missing."

That something, of course, was writing and singing his own songs. He has since left his Mercury job and gone back to what he says he is meant to do. "I am so, so happy to be singing for my dinner again," says Potvin, whose debut solo album Heartbreakthrough arrives in record stores today.

Largely dealing with the emotional issues arising from his divorce, Heartbreakthrough mostly stays within the immediate vicinity of the Pikes' crunchy guitar-pop, although he does stretch out on such haunting, ambitiously arranged songs as Darling, You Live in a Dreamworld and the title track. "I knew I wanted the lyrics to be very straightforward. I didn't want to shroud it in some bizarre David Byrne metaphor. My heart was broken and I wanted to write: 'My heart is broken.' I wanted to make a dignified album, but I also wanted to make something produced and lush." As if to make up for lost time, he's already written many songs for a new studio album by the reunited Northern Pikes.

The group plans to enter the studio in August and hopes to have the record out early next year.

Potvin would like to make more solo albums, but relishes the chance to record again with the band that gave him his start. "I look at the Northern Pikes as three solo artists (songwriters Potvin, Jay Semko and Merl Bryck) and a drummer who does the books and keeps us in line.

"The good thing about the Pikes is it's a great vehicle for a songwriter. It's a very supportive and encouraging environment."