It’s been a year since I last sat down with Lake Porter—the “wholesome-threesome” Kingston-ish-based trio made up of Martina Lake, Johnny Porter, and Taryn McKenna. At the time, they were just gearing up for their very first show. Now, after a year of cutting their teeth on stages both big and small, the band is in full swing with their debut single “O+,” dropping May 21.

“We’ve had some really sweet shows, recorded some really great songs, and made a nice little release plan,” Martina shares with a grin. “We’re kind of in the thick of it right now.”

When asked to summarize the past year, Johnny jokes: “Big stages and small stages,” referencing their rapid-fire experiences, from intimate bar gigs to a last-minute, high-stakes opportunity opening for The Glorious Sons at Base31.

“That was definitely a highlight,” Taryn adds. “It was so surreal. We got off stage and were like, did that just happen?”

From barn-burners in rural Ontario to sweaty club shows with Boston Levi, Maple Drive, Feral Minks and more, Lake Porter has quickly become a staple of Kingston’s local scene—known for their harmonies, tight-knit chemistry, and playful stage presence. “We’ve gotten to know each other very well,” Martina laughs, with Johnny chiming in: “It’s been a musical journey. I’ve met some amazing people in this city—love you all.”

But let’s talk about O+. A dichotomy that is lyrically dark but musically uplifting. Imagine a gritty breakup ballad dressed in Western boots, walking into a saloon showdown—except instead of gunfire, you get heartache, harmonies, and a whole lot of emotion.

“It’s about love turning into war,” says Martina, who wrote the lyrics. “Kind of like a breakup that feels like a duel. But make it cinematic.”

Built around a grungy, minor-key riff from Johnny and elevated by the band’s signature three-part (sometimes five-part!) harmonies, the track dances between darkness and light—lyrically heavy but musically bright. It’s sad, it’s dramatic, and it kind of slaps.

The song was produced by Steve Kirstein aka local pressure!, and recorded with a little help from the extended Lake Porter family. A visualizer is on the way, and the band’s already dreaming up big music video ideas—including cowboy hats, blood metaphors, and possibly assless chaps. (You’ll have to follow them to find out.)

Taryn points to the tension in the arrangement itself: “There’s this gritty, minor-key country riff in the verse, and then suddenly, boom—this beautiful, bright chorus with full harmony. It catches you off guard in the best way.”

The song’s title, O+, is just as layered. “It’s the most common blood type,” Martina says, “and for some reason, the image of it running out really stuck with me. It just fit the emotional weight of the song.”

Mark your calendars: “O+” drops May 21, with a pop-up style release show to follow. The details are still hush-hush, but the band promises an intimate, community-driven celebration with some local acts joining in.

And for those wondering where to find the track? “Spotify, Apple Music—everywhere,” says Johnny. “We’ve got Instagram, TikTok, SoundCloud, even X. And yes, Bandcamp is coming.”

To close out the interview, I had to ask the hard-hitting question: Which Friends character is Johnny Porter most like?

Martina laughs: “You’re definitely a strong Joey. But with a Chandler rising.”

Taryn thinks for a moment. “You’ve got Ross tendencies. Like when you write a riff, it just bounces around in your noggin forever.”

But don’t let the jokes fool you. This band is built on genuine love—for each other, for the music, and for the community around them. “We’re fully in love with each other,” says Martina. “It makes everything easier.”

Lake Porter’s blend of grounded songwriting, warm harmonies, and infectious charm is only just beginning to bloom. And if O+ is any indication of what’s ahead, this trio’s journey is about to get a whole lot louder.

Pre-save O+ here: web link Posted: May 12, 2025