Canadian rock band The Sheepdogs are performing their latest album Outta Sight in Halifax this Saturday, Sept.17 at the Lighthouse Arts Centre.
The band was formed in 2004 at the University of Saskatchewan where members Ewan Currie, Ryan Gullen and Sam Corbett met.
The Sheepdogs were the first unsigned band to make the cover of Rolling Stone and have since gained multi-platinum album sales and four Juno Awards.
Outta Sight came out earlier this year and was recorded during the pandemic.
"This album was something that was recorded at a time when we were all kind of unsure what was going on. When the pandemic happened, we were very much stuck, and not really sure when we'd be able to get back to doing what we did. So as a result, we just sort of all got together and played music when we could," said bassist Ryan Gullen.
Gullen said a lot of the imagery theme in their latest album is futuristic. The band has also released a video for the first single from the album, Find The Truth. Their new album is a 'straight-ahead rock record', with the band spending a lot of time experimenting.
"Literally, all the songs were recorded, sort-of live off the floor, with us all looking at each other. And I think there's a certain energy to that. It's a lot more of a straight ahead, rock and roll record compared to other records we've done recently. But we're not trying to reinvent ourselves or change what we do."
The Sheepdogs were the first unsigned band to make the cover of Rolling Stone and have since gained multi-platinum album sales and four Juno Awards. Photo credit: Mat Dunlap.
A lot of the inspiration from this album came from what the band was dealing with throughout the pandemic, with some feelings of "uncertainty and nervousness." Gullen recalled his experience of being stuck in London with his band, unable to fly out for almost two weeks, cutting their UK tour trip short after testing positive for COVID-19.
"We were trying to make music that was the soundtrack to the future, which was hopefully not being in lockdown, and all that kind of stuff. We wanted to have good energy and good vibes."
Gullen said he grew up listening to rock and roll music from the East Coast and is excited to be back in Halifax, and touring again.
"We have multiple platinum records and gold records and four Juno Awards, but I think just we feel very fortunate and happy that we're able to make the music we like and tour around and do what we do," said Gullen.
Canadian musician and songwriter Terra Lightfoot will be joining them as a guest at the Lighthouse Arts Centre this Saturday.
Listen to the full interview below: