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Frontwoman Rose Cora Perry came up with her band name, The Truth Untold, based on her own deeply personal experiences.
The name originates from a lyric in her song “Curtains Close,” which is about realizing and accepting the fact that innocence has been lost.
“It was this idea of coming to terms with something that is true, but you wish you hadn’t heard,” Perry says.
Perry, who performs with bassist Jessie Taynton, drummer Steve Skrtich, and lead guitarist John-William Kostecki, is also a songwriter who often delves into a motif of hard truths. The band will perform at the Irondequoit Arts & Music Festival this month.
For example, the themes of the Canadian band’s latest single, “Excuses,” are abstract enough to be a metaphor for many different scenarios. The singer is fed up with the excuses they have been given, and an outpouring of righteous anger is a natural step.
“I used to believe you were good for me,” Perry sings over an aggressive driving rock instrumental. “Show me responsibility/Let’s talk, how you’re helping me/Show me accountability/Let’s talk.”
Ease of connection is important for Perry, who believes that music with a metaphor and message can be what draws audiences in the most.
“I was always drawn to lyrics and artists who were speaking about a piece of their life,” Perry says. “For me, when there’s that sea of people at a concert, but I can see them connect with the emotion of it, the anger and heartbreak and being a rebel, that’s the most powerful.”
The music video for “Excuses” itself touches on elements of rebellion and hidden truths in a narrative of conspiracy theories, pirate radio broadcasts, the FBI, and secret identities. It is the latest in an ongoing storyline featuring a performing persona for Perry, Kathryn “Smoking” Gunn.
Gunn is a mysterious and complex character who spreads doubt, disruption and the questioning of authority figures throughout the two other videos she features in (“Not My Time” and “The Cure”). Perry hints there may be “more going on under the surface” and says the audience could question the character’s actions as for good or ill.
The entire affair reflects Perry’s childhood of performance and theater, something that was encouraged by her parents and started at the age of four.
“It definitely was an experience gaining my footing in the rock world as a musician with classical (vocal) training,” reflects Perry. “But (The Truth Untold) is making some of the best music I’ve ever been a part of now.”
After finishing their “Phoenix Rising” 2025 North American tour in late October, Perry says more is on the horizon for the band. The group is planning to go into the studio for another EP as well as create the next chapter in the “Smoking Gunn” music video saga.
Rose Cora Perry and the Truth Untold will be performing as part of the Irondequoit Arts & Music Festival at I-Square on Aug. 30 at 4 p.m.
Jacob Schermerhorn is a Rochester Beacon contributing writer and data journalist.
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