by Lauren Rosier
Photo by Mat Dunlap
It has been quite the ride for Canadian rock and roll band, the Sheepdogs, who formed nearly a decade ago. The five-piece has had a plethora of opportunities and experiences, each one helping to shape and form them into the band they are today. You may remember Rolling Stone’s competition when the Sheepdogs became the first unsigned band to be featured on the cover. Their journey has been incredible. Recently, I had the honor of interviewing frontman Ewan Currie, about the band’s experiences and the release of their new album, Future Nostalgia.
“We’re getting a fantastic reaction – people are really digging the tunes, singing along, and after the shows they come and tell us what their favorite songs are,” Currie explains. Tonight, the band is at Johnny Brenda’s here in Philadelphia. After a few more US stops, the band will “head across the pond for an 11 day blitzkrieg of Europe and the UK.”
There’s no denying that the Sheepdogs have that special, old, throwback sound – reminiscent of Creedence Clearwater Revival and Allman Brothers Band in particular, but of course with their own twist and a sound all their own.
“The album title is free for whoever to interpret whatever they feel it to be,” Currie says. “Music is very linked to nostalgia for me and I think for a lot of people. There’s something so powerful about the music made in the old ways. We’re trying to tap into some of that special sound.”
For Future Nostalgia, the band wanted to do something a little bit different than how they approached previous records. They still went through the usual process of writing, selection favorites and recording; this time, though, the band created a more natural, organic sounding record. To do this, they decided to rent a house in the country to hide out and focus.
So many things have changed for the band since the beginning of their journey with the biggest change that musicians strive for: being full-time musicians. “We no longer have to work non-music jobs on the side, which is the greatest thing of all – to make a living as a full time musician,” Currie says.
Nearly ten years into the band’s career and a story all their own, the Sheepdog’s have been able to learn one important thing: “To be thankful for every day getting to play music for a living and to play as best you can every single damn night, no matter where you are.”
Tickets are still available for tonight’s show with Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown.
