Singer-songwriter Tal Bachman, best known for his 1999 hit She's So High which garnered him international success, has found a new home and a renewed sense of joy on the Peninsula.
Since moving from Cadboro Bay in 2020, Bachman and his family have settled into the peaceful rhythm of North Saanich.
"It's really nice out here," Bachman shared, highlighting the tranquility of the area.
Living with his wife, KoKo and their adorable four-month-old baby, Dahlia, Bachman describes his daughter as their "most incredible source of joy and sunshine.
"Every morning when she sees me, she just busts out and smiles and giggles...it's quite extraordinary. Even when she was just a few weeks old, you could start to see that she could understand when it was silly playtime and that's incredible."
While the Peninsula has been their home for five years, Bachman admits that busy schedules have limited their exploration to a few rewarding forest trail walks in North Saanich.
Currently, Bachman is preparing for a major tour with his father, Randy Bachman, the driving force behind legendary rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO), known for hits like Takin' Care Of Business and You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet and a founding member of The Guess Who.
The Bachmans are gearing up for their coast-to-coast Back in Overdrive Tour, kicking off April 1 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria before heading eastward to Halifax, Nova Scotia, for their final show on May 8.
Following the Canadian leg, they'll embark on a two-month U.S. tour starting July 18 in Iowa.
Adding a unique twist to the family affair, KoKo Bachman joins Tal and Randy on stage, playing drums for the band.
"It’s an absolute honour to take on this role and lay down the beats for one of my favourite drummers, Robbie Bachman," said KoKo. "When Randy asked me to join the band, I felt incredibly humbled and grateful – especially knowing how much he appreciated the way I studied and embraced his late brother’s unique drumming style."
For the upcoming tour, Bachman acknowledged the extra thought and preparation required, considering the five-week duration of the tour and his soon-to-be 82-year-old father. His daughter Dahlia is coming along too.
"Being on the road together, especially with our baby, is truly a blessing," KoKo adds. "Music and laughter have always brought us closer and I can’t wait to experience that every night on this tour."
On March 28, BTO released a new single, 60 Years Ago, which is now available for streaming everywhere.
One wonderful hit
Five years after relocating to Vancouver Island following his 2000 Juno wins for Best Solo Artist and Best Songwriter, Tal Bachman's 1999 hit She's So High continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, a testament to its enduring appeal.
While often labeled a "one-hit wonder," Bachman embraces the song's success and reveals the surprising story behind its rise to fame.
"I just got a note a few days ago from a friend who's in Thailand right now and he said they played She's So High at the bar," Bachman shared, highlighting the song's global reach even after 25 years. "There are worse things than writing a song that will live forever and touch probably tens of millions of people, maybe more around the world."
Contrary to popular belief, the music video for She's So High wasn't filmed in Calgary.
"The whole video was shot in one day at some warehouse in Los Angeles... I showed up and we played through the song with the guys in the band maybe three times...the cameras kind of moved around and then that's it – we were in and out in an hour."
While some might bristle at the "one-hit wonder" label, Bachman takes it in stride, revealing that She's So High wasn't even intended to be the breakout single from his self-titled album.
The record company had different plans.
"She's So High was supposed to be a 'setup track,' that would appear on radio, make a splash, chum the waters, so to speak, get my name out there, create some forward momentum and then come with the big song the record company felt really had legs," Bachman explained.
That big song was a power ballad called If You Sleep, the very song that landed Bachman his record deal.
Ironically, it never achieved the same level of success as the unassuming She's So High, which radio stations played relentlessly for months.
"I wrote If You Sleep and did a little demo and it got into the right hands – the record company heard it and thought it was a smash – they signed me up because of it."
Despite the unexpected trajectory, Bachman remains philosophical about his success.
"Everyone wants more than one hit, of course, but then if you have five big hits, everyone wants six and so on. Honestly, it's no different if you have one or ten."
Whether it's the infectious melody or the relatable lyrics, She's So High continues to capture the hearts of listeners around the world, proving that a single, well-crafted song can have an enduring impact, even decades later.
Asked if he will be singing his hit song during the tour, Tal says, “We're doing a little snippet of She's So High. I didn't really want to do that one because it's supposed to be a BTO concert, but Dad wants me to do it, so I'm gonna do it.”
