The Can-Rock Revolution: Issue 1

Why The Sam Roberts Band is still a contender in the game of Canadian Rock.

With Canadian Music Week drawing to a close, I figured it only made sense to dedicate this week’s blog to the emerging Canadian rock scene. In its 34th year running, CMW hosts music industry wizards, all the while highlighting our nation’s movers, shakers, and music makers. Though the week-long event features more than a handful of big names, the real objective is bridging the gap between aspiring musicians and industry professionals. In honour of the bands who consistently serve up a tasty slice of Canadiana – this one’s for you. Lookin’ at you, Sam Roberts Band.

While the Lo-Fantasy boys aren’t set to appear at this year’s Canadian Music Week, their reputation for delivering boogie-worthy tunes certainly precedes them. Hailing from The 514, Roberts is no stranger to a Hard Road, having had his fair share of setbacks before the 2002 breakthrough release of The Inhuman Condition. By 2006, Roberts had signed with Universal and released his sophomore album, Chemical City. It was also at this point that he solidified the members of the Sam Roberts Band with Dave Nugent playing lead guitar, Eric Fares on keyboard and guitar, James Hall on bass, and Josh Trager on drums. I guess you could say the rest is history.

Having since released three full-length studio albums and an EP to satiate us, SRB has announced via twitter that they are back in the studio.

So what can we expect from the guys this time around? Well, getting back to their EP, entitled Counting the Days, I think it’s fair to say that the new album is likely to feature some elements of psychedelia. While Lo-Fantasy incorporated a tasteful amount of funk and synth, Counting the Days really showcases the band’s natural progression in terms of sound. Sure, tracks like Mind Flood (from Chemical City) were applauded for adding a nostalgic touch to the band’s already celebrated sound…but they were just getting their feet wet. If Counting the Days is SRB even waist-deep in the waters of their creativity, I’m anxious to see what it looks like when they dive right in.

Having seen them perform live not once…not twice…but thrice, I can attest for their incredible chemistry. Although there has been no mention as of yet when we can expect their 7^th studio album to drop, the boys were reportedly putting finishing touches on the album in early April. I have a sneaking suspicion that they are going to emerge from the studio with a gem of otherworldly proportions.

If you haven’t familiarized yourself with the True North tunes of the Sam Roberts Band yet, here’s a taste that’s sweeter than fresh-tapped maple syrup and just as Canadian. Enjoy alongside an ice-cold Molson, eh?

Until next time, stay groovy.

-A