Over the course of a complete shutdown of the music industry, one thing, and one thing only, has saved the Saskatchewan-based band. Shepherd dogs; Rock and roll is the problem caused by the epidemic. And today, with the release of their new album Outta Sight, The Sheepdogs hope rock ‘n’ roll can also save you. The hard-working, hard-living Canadian band — Ewan Cory, Ryan Jolin, Sam Corbett, Jimmy Bouskill, and Shamus Cory — were confused, as were the rest of us, and felt isolated during COVID, but taking it out while at the time produced the most amazing, simpler, and most breakthrough in their career. With no roadmap and general uncertainty hanging over the universe, The Sheepdogs, plugged into their loudspeakers, shared beams and melodies, leaning on each other for inspiration. Guys say she’s been the least prepared as they’ve been breaking records since their self-titled album in 2012, but guitarist Ryan Jolin calls the music they made a “life raft,” claiming that their initial sessions for Outta Sight saved them from their fears. “Playing rock made us stop… it made us keep working.”
Fans can hop aboard The Sheepdogs lifeboat today and listen to it Mashhad and Ta on this link. The group is also on an international tour this fall, with a slew of stops in Canada, Europe and the United States
The power of The Sheepdogs in full force appeals to your senses. Without pretension, it is urgent, rhythmic, clear, and enjoyable; It’s a break from sweet production, staring at your navel and declaring joy and glee on drums, bass, trumpets, and electric guitar. The Sheepdog makes tones that make you nodding. Yet the art, beneath the joists of the pitch—harmonies, multiple guitar parts, and groove behind the percussion section that dangles together when they’re not on the clock—sharpened and shined among trucks and garages, thousands of audio reviews, and yes, headlines.
“The no-nonsense style, the hands-on ability to put our heads down and play, resulted in a real feel and liveliness on the record that I think is special,” Corey says. “It’s something that could have saved us and the feeling on the album is that we take that negative pandemic energy and express it, and transmit it, through unsuspecting rock ‘n’ roll.” Outta Sight is the biggest, brightest, brightest, lighters lit in cheap seats, the rocky record of COVID stadium smiling out of the pandemic gloom. It is humorous, contains tracks, and was performed and recorded by five brothers from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan who are grateful to meet and play with rock fans.
“Rock and roll is our encouragement,” says Cory. “We hope our music will do the same for listeners at a time when things are still very difficult. There is no greater truth than rock and roll.”
For more information, please visit thesheepdogs.com.
Catch Shepherd Dogs on Tour:
September 16 – Fredericton, Note: Harvest Music Festival
September 18 – Charlottetown, PEI – PEI Brewing Company
Sept 20 – Burlington, VT – High ground
September 22 – Montreal, QC – Mtelus
September 23 – Quebec City, QC – Montcalm Palace
Sept 24 – North Bay, Ontario – Capitol Center
October 7 – Bristol, UK – Tekla
October 8 – Manchester, UK – gorilla
October 9 – London, UK – Electric dance floor
October 13 – Toronto, Ontario – Massey Hall
October 14 – Belleville, Ontario – Empire Theater
Oct 15 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios
Oct 17 – Boston, MA – The Sinclair
October 18 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
October 20 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall
October 21 – Washington, DC – Union Theatre
October 22 – Durham, North Carolina – Motorco Music Hall
Oct 24 – Asheville, NC – Gray Eagle
Oct 25 – Nashville, TN – East Basement
October 26 – Atlanta, Georgia – Masquerade – Purgatory
Oct 28 – Houston, Texas – White Oak Music Hall (upstairs)
October 30 – Dallas, Texas – tulips
November 1 – Austin, Texas – Ballroom
November 3 – Indianapolis, Indiana – Hi-Fi
November 4 – Detroit, Michigan – The club
November 5 – Kitchener, ON – Center in the Square
November 18 – London, ON – London Music Hall
November 19 – Chicago, Illinois – Lincoln Hall
November 20 – Minneapolis, MN – Turf Club
November 22 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
November 23 – Regina, SK – Casino Regina
November 25 – Saskatoon, SK – TCU Place
November 26 – Calgary, AB – Palace Theater
November 27 – Edmonton, AB – Midway
November 28 – Red Deer, AB – Bo’s Bar & Grill
December 1 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Commodore Hall
December 2 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Commodore Hall
December 3 – Seattle, Washington – Tractor Pub
December 4 – Portland, Oregon – Dog Fair Lounge
December 6 – San Francisco, California – The Independent
December 7 – Los Angeles, CA – Moroccan Lounge
Dec 8 – San Diego, CA – Alcazaba
Dec. 9 – Phoenix, Arizona – Valley Bar
December 11 – Denver, Colorado – Globe Hall
Dec 12 – Omaha, Nebraska – Slowdown
December 14 – Lexington, Kentucky – The Burl
December 15 – Cleveland, Ohio – Beachland Concert Hall
December 16 – Buffalo, NY – City Hall