For Immediate Release:
January 20th, 2014
Saskatoon, SK - Saskatoon band Gunner & Smith are set to independently release their first full-length album 'He Once Was a Good Man' on February 24th. The band will kick-off a tour in support of the album on February 21st with a showcase at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, MI and then head to Western Canada for the remainder of the dates. For a full listing of tour dates, see below.
It’s been an eventful past four years for Gunner & Smith. Starting in 2010 as a solo project by folk artist Geoff Smith, the band evolved into a multi-member indie country rock ensemble that traverses the rocky line between post-prairies balladeering and grit-covered rockers for those given to heavy highway drives and long, expansive thoughts. Initially emerging from Smith’s one-man vision, Gunner & Smith released their first EP, 'Letter of Marque', in 2011. Featuring the lithe, lonely swaying sounds of Saskatchewan folk, country and rock, Smith quickly followed up his sparse debut release with his second EP entitled 'Compromise is a Loaded Gun' in August 2012.
After releasing their first two EP's, Gunner & Smith began to tour relentlessly throughout Canada, playing extensively throughout Alberta and their home province of Saskatchewan, as well as a sojourn through the eastern half of the country, which saw front man Geoff Smith spreading his wings and returning to his solo roots. Along the way, Gunner & Smith’s reputation as a live band began to grow as the group made appearances at festivals such as OMFEST, MoSo Fest, Lilac Festival and the prestigious Ness Creek Festival.
When it came time to record their first full length album 'He Once Was a Good Man', Gunner & Smith headed to The Avenue Recording Studio, located above Saskatoon's legendary music venue Amigo's Cantina. Joining the band in the studio were recording engineers Jordan Smith and Scott Neufeld along with The Deep Dark Woods’ Ryan Boldt at them helm in the producer’s chair. In addition to producing the album, Boldt (who has previously worked with prairies folk act Kacy and Clayton) also makes several appearances playing on the album.
On 'He Once Was a Good Man', Gunner & Smith find themselves with their most realized sound to date despite taking several different directions. It wasn’t until the band hit the studio that things became apparent and cohesive – a concept that was unintentionally synonymous with the band’s own journey into maturity.
“I like to write songs that are a story. I like to write about a feeling or something that I’ve experienced but I like to displace myself from that,” says Smith. “The title track is about a character who experiences life changes in a way that he can’t control. It’s about compromises and the consequences of those things.”
After a showcase at Folk Alliance International on February 21st, Gunner & Smith will hit the road with a string of Western Canadian tour dates through to March 9th. Don't miss out on your chance to see the band live! Gunner & Smith's first full-length album 'He Once Was A Good Man' will be available on iTunes and other fine digital retailers on February 25th. Additional tour dates may be added; check gunnerandsmith.com for the most up-to-date tour schedule.
GUNNER & SMITH 'HE ONCE WAS A GOOD MAN' TRACK LISTING
RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 25th (Independent)
1. Ease My Mind
2. The Burning Days
3. He Once Was A Good Man
4. Drifting
5. Towns
6. Jesus Help Me
7. Open Door
8. River Of Stone
9. Nothing That's Mine
10. The Traveler
GUNNER & SMITH WESTERN CANADIAN TOUR DATES
February 21 - Kansas City, MI - Folk Alliance International
February 24 - Calgary, AB - The Ironwood
February 25 - Edmonton, AB - Wunderbar
February 26 - Olds, AB - Tracks
February 28 - Kelowna, BC - Fernando's
March 2 - Vancouver, BC - The Railway Club
March 3 - Golden, BC - Rockwater Grill
March 5 - Banff, AB - Elk and Oarsman
March 6 - Lloydminster, AB - The Root
March 7 - Regina, SK - Artful Dodger
March 8 - Saskatoon, SK - Amigo’s
March 9 - Moose Jaw, SK - Bobby’s
“Gunner & Smith put forth honest roots rock with a compelling amount of grit, given a special sparkle” - Saskatoon Star Phoenix
“Gunner & Smith carry a full, hard-hitting sound that is both expansive and lush” – Ominocity.com
MEDIA TOOLS
STREAM Gunner & Smith - 'He Once Was A Good Man' here
CLICK here for high-res album art
CLICK here and here for high-res press photos (Photo Credit: Matthew Smith)
WATCH/POST 'He Once Was A Good Man' promo video here
STREAM/POST Gunner & Smith track 'Towns' here (includes posting/embedding info, just click on 'Share')
FOR MORE INFO: www.gunnerandsmith.com
