Watching the "Gemini" music video feels like catching a glimpse of a private rehearsal that accidentally turned into a high-gloss production. There is a DIY grit beneath the neon-soaked 80s aesthetic that anchors the debut single from Harlette, the Canadian duo comprised of Michelle Owen and Martina Lake. It is not just another synth-pop throwback. It is a calculated, sharp-edged reintroduction of two women who have spent years navigating the perimeter of the industry before finally deciding to occupy the centre of the frame.
The track itself hits with a heavy, gated reverb on the drums and a melodic hook that feels familiar yet strangely urgent. But the polish of the recording belies the organic, almost accidental nature of the group’s formation. Owen and Lake did not meet in a boardroom or at a cattle-call audition. They bonded in the trenches of the Canadian rock circuit. Since Owen stepped into the role of tour manager for The Glorious Sons in 2017, she has been a fixture in the orbit of guitarist Jay Emmons. Lake, who is Emmons’ partner, was already there.
And while the connection started through proximity to one of Canada’s biggest rock exports, Harlette is its own beast entirely. The transition from the background to the spotlight was facilitated by 745 Music, an artist development company Owen and Emmons launched a few years back. It provided the infrastructure, but the creative spark was purely internal.
When I sat down to talk with the duo about the "Gemini" release, the conversation immediately turned to the songwriting process. Lake is the primary architect of the track, a song that manages to be both infectious and deeply personal. I asked her about the origins of the song, and she is quick to clarify that the title is less about the zodiac and more about the reality of her upbringing.
Martina says, "Yes, yes I did. 'Gemini', I wrote it a couple years ago and it really stemmed from the relationship that I have with my sister. I am a twin, and I’m actually not astrologically a Gemini at all. Leo for life. But I’m a twin and that’s the side of the Gemini and this kind of song is about never being alone."
There is a specific kind of claustrophobia that comes with being a twin, a sentiment Lake leans into with the lyrics. It is a subversion of the typical pop trope of wanting connection. Here, the connection is so constant it becomes a defining weight.
Lake continues, "I truly have never been alone for a single minute in my entire life being a twin. And then being someone who is super co-dependent on relationships and friendships and even touches on my relationship with Michelle and two faces and two sides to myself. It’s just about being really co-dependent and never having a second to myself my entire life."
The synergy between Owen and Lake is obvious, but the road to this specific collaboration was long and winding. Owen’s history in the music world is a decade deep, involving a series of serendipitous encounters that eventually led to the formation of Harlette.
Michelle says, "In terms of songwriting, it would be 10 years ago. I just stumbled upon Steve one day and he kind of became my go-to partner in terms of songwriting and recording. And then one day I also met Jay Evans because I also worked in the music business. So I worked for him in his band at a record label and then was his tour manager."
It is a small world in the Canadian music scene, and those connections eventually solidified when Owen and Lake finally shared their creative ambitions.
Owen explains, "And when we were on the road, that’s when I met Martina and it all kind of came together, serendipitously. Then one day Martina had this song. She showed it to me a couple years ago and was like, I want you to sing this. And I was like, this is so rad. And luckily we were fortunate enough to get together last year to try it out together and it was one of those magical moments where the song just came together very easily between the four of us, we all brought our strengths to the table and that’s what you hear in the song now."
The global shutdown of 2020 was a death knell for many projects, but for Harlette, it served as a much-needed pause. Without the constant grind of touring and label obligations, the duo finally had the bandwidth to experiment. Lake notes that having her partner, Jay, home from the road was the catalyst they needed.
Martina says, "Definitely gave us the time. And especially with my partner, Jay who’s touring quite a bit at the time. So to have him home for a couple of years now, I guess it really gave Michelle and Jason some time to work on their label, which is our label 745 Music and develop that and a bunch of other artists, but it actually gave him and Michelle some time to sit down together and let Steve and I join in and just play around."
What started as a casual exploration of sounds in a home studio quickly evolved into something more substantial. The quality of the material forced them to take the project seriously.
I had a very poor experience early on as a songwriter and singer where I lost ownership of my masters and it was a really hurtful and infuriating experience. So I decided that I wouldn’t move forward without learning the business side. ... I think it’s really important for any artist to understand their business and what it’s all about.
Lake adds, "It was truly a fun project until we realized the greatness in it. Then we’re like, okay, we need to do something with this. This needs to be shared, and it birthed Harlette, which is great, and there’s no going back and we have an acoustic version of 'Gemini' that’s coming up really soon that we’re excited to share. And then we have our next single ready to go as well. So lots of exciting stuff coming out soon."
The momentum is not slowing down. While "Gemini" serves as the opening salvo, there is a larger body of work on the horizon. Owen confirms that they are looking toward a more comprehensive release in the coming year.
Michelle says, "Yeah, I think that’s the goal for next spring. We still have some writing to do. We want to get back into studio and shape some of these ideas we’ve been working on, but definitely going to have an EP sometime in the spring of 2022."
One of the more fascinating aspects of Owen’s career is her pivot into the business side of music. It was a move born out of necessity and a desire for self-preservation. Many artists talk about the predatory nature of the industry, but Owen lived it. Her decision to learn the mechanics of management and labels was a defensive play that turned into a professional advantage.
Michelle says, "Honestly, I had a very poor experience early on as a songwriter and singer where I lost ownership of my masters and it was a really hurtful and infuriating experience. So I decided that I wouldn’t move forward without learning the business side. I ended up doing a program that was focused on entertainment business management."
This education led to a series of roles that eventually eclipsed her creative output for a time. But Owen views that period as essential training for what she is doing now with Harlette and 745 Music.
Owen continues, "I looked for an internship at a label. Then I was offered a job and the opportunities kept coming after that. So it was really hard to say no. Before I knew it, that was the centre of my life, as opposed to the singing and songwriting, which has been a little bit difficult, but I’m very grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had because now I have my own company with Jay, like Martina said, and get to do music. So it was the best of both worlds. And I think it’s really important for any artist to understand their business and what it’s all about."
In the current landscape, this kind of literacy is mandatory. The days of being "discovered" and having a team handle the heavy lifting are largely over. Most independent artists are now their own marketing departments, booking agents, and distributors.
Michelle says, "Yeah, for sure. I think there’s two sides of it where artists are really lucky now, because there are so many platforms that are pillars and allow artists to achieve success independently. But at the same time, if you want to work with anyone in the industry, they’re definitely looking for you to do most of the heavy lifting for them."
The recording of "Gemini" was a testament to this new independent reality. It was a family affair, recorded in a home studio with dogs underfoot and a relaxed atmosphere that allowed the song to breathe.
Martina says, "It was really super fun because we have an at-home studio at Jay’s place. So it was quite relaxed and we were able to come in, the four of us and dogs and all that fun stuff and just right across the hall, literally. So it was fun to be able to do it on our home turf. And like we said, it was a super like relaxed experience. We were just doing it because we believed in the song and it turned out to be this like really fantastic tune that started our inspiration for this whole thing."
The music video for the single is equally impressive, especially considering Lake was eight months pregnant during the shoot. It is a detail you might miss on the first watch, but once you see it, the physical effort involved becomes the focal point of the visual.
Martina says, "Making maneuvers there. It was definitely a challenge rolling on a hardwood floor at eight months."
Owen was struck by Lake's endurance during the shoot. The DIY nature of the production meant everyone was wearing multiple hats, with wind machines being operated by the band members themselves.
Michelle says, "Martina was honestly such a champ. It was a fun experience because it was a DIY video. Jay and Steve had wind machines behind the camera, but to see her eight months pregnant and just seeing such a force still and working an eight hour day was pretty incredible to witness."
As for the live aspect of Harlette, the duo is still figuring out the logistics. They have a live cut video out now, but the permanent touring lineup remains a work in progress.
Michelle says, "That’s kind of an inner circle of musicians that we know from working with other artists, but our actual band is still TBD, that’s something we need to figure out in the future for shows, but we’re hoping to do some sort of super rad all-girl band."
Before the full band takes the stage, fans can expect a more intimate look at the material. An acoustic version of "Gemini" is slated for release on Nov. 10, featuring Owen, Lake, and a piano.
Martina says, "I believe we have it in the books for early November. We have an acoustic version, so it’s Steve, Michelle and I, and a piano. It’s a really stripped down version of 'Gemini', but it’s super powerful, and Michelle’s voice sounds incredible next to just simple, instrumental. It’s something really special and it’s so different than the live video or the music video that we just released. Even the radio edit itself. But I think it’s going to have its own presence and standalone all its own, because it’s super powerful. Just wait till you hear this girl."
The conversation ends on a note of resilience. Owen recalls a moment early in her career when a competition judge told her she should give up singing entirely. It is the kind of comment that could end a career before it starts, but Owen used it as fuel.
Michelle says, "Yeah, I think for me the part that bothered me most is you can never tell someone to quit creating. That’s just such a part of being human. But when I go back to listen to the audio from that day, I’m like, okay, I did sound like shit. So maybe some harsh criticism was warranted, but I don’t think anyone, regardless of their position in the industry has the authority to tell someone to quit, that’s just ridiculous."
Lake, ever the optimist, points out that the industry is full of people who were initially rejected only to find massive success later.
Martina says, "Some of those rejects had quite a nice career after."
And she is right. Harlette is proof that the only opinion that truly matters is the one you hold of your own work. "Gemini" is a strong start, and if the upcoming EP matches its energy, Owen and Lake won't need anyone's permission to stay in the spotlight.
