Sheepdogs

Here's my original first draft before the paper edited it, followed by a link to the article printed in the Nexus: "On Saturday February 20 The Sheepdogs are returning to Victoria BC armed with a brand new setlist and their ever-growing following. The up and coming Canadian boys have quickly gained momentum since claiming their title in 2011 as the first unsigned band to dress the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Their newly released album has been enthusiastically received by critics, and greatly reflects their individual and collective growth as musicians. Lead singer Ewan Currie and bassist Ryan Gullen have been jamming together since high school, and met drummer Sam Corbett in university. In early 2006 the trio released an EP under the name The Breaks before finding Leot Hanson later that year, playing guitar at a party. As a foursome they changed their name to The Sheepdogs and released their first album “Trying To Grow” in April of 2007. Nine years later, the band’s current tour is endorsing their fifth album. With Vancouver Island as the halfway point, they kicked off from Montreal on January 29. “The crowd was fantastic” says Currie, “we thought the set list went over great in Montreal. The flow was really nice.” Promoting the newly released album Future Nostalgia, The Sheepdogs are amidst a Canadian tour that brings them to the west coast and will end back in the Maritimes on March 19. After a three year hiatus since the release of their self titled album in September 2012, Future Nostalgia boasts 18 fresh tracks recorded at a cottage in Stony Lake, Ontario throughout the summer of 2015. Their first new single “Downtown” was released in July to ensure fans that the music was continuing after a shift in the band’s lineup. Leot Hanson parted ways with The Sheepdogs to open a music venue in the crew’s hometown of Saskatoon. Instead, longtime friend Rusty Matyas stepped in as guitarist. “Future Nostalgia is somewhere between the homemade vibes of Learn & Burn and the more polished studio sound of our self titled album” says Currie. “We wanted to take the best things we learned in both experiences and make em happen on this album.” This includes Currie’s younger brother Shamus whose trombone can be heard on some of the band’s earlier tracks, but holds a more prominent role on Future Nostalgia. He also plays keys and guitar. Currie once again took on the role of producer and the latest LP was released on October 2, 2015. Promotion for the new album has already taken The Sheepdogs overseas this year. Through January they toured the UK with group The Temperance Movement, and were greatly inspired by the reception they received. After playing 10 shows with the international band, The Sheepdogs booked a second string of gigs through Europe, to kick off immediately following their current Canadian tour. “It went really well so we wanted to get back there and keep building it in the UK” says Currie. Similarly, The Temperance Movement are scheduled to commence their own tour across Canada later this month. The two bands didn’t know each other prior to the January shows, but Currie says “they’re really cool and I hope people will go out and see them”. As for what the Victoria audience can expect, Currie says “we’re doing a lot of stuff from [Future Nostalgia] but throwing in a bunch of the old favourites as well.” With their 2012 album attaining “Gold” certification in Canada, and a nomination for “Rock Album of the Year” at the 2013 Juno Awards, It’s safe to say The Sheepdogs are going to deliver a show not to be missed. Come on down to Sugar for a dose of feel good rock and roll on February 20!" ~ a link to the edited article printed in Nexus Newspaper: http://www.nexusnewspaper.com/2016/02/17/the-sheepdogs-return-to-town-a-changed-band/