Brandon Isaak Releases ‘Walkin’ With The Blues’ – A Raw, Soulful Journey into Classic Electric Blues

Brandon Isaak, the Whitehorse-born bluesman known for his gravelly voice and deep respect for tradition, returns with Walkin’ With The Blues—his most authentic and electrified blues album to date. Recorded live off the floor with minimal mics, vintage gear, and a soul soaked in the genre’s deepest roots, the record is a love letter to classic blues—gritty, emotional, and defiantly old-school.

“This is the most straight-up blues record I’ve ever made, and I could not be more pleased with how it turned out,” Isaak shares. “I wanted to make a record with strong lyrics, soulful playing, and zero tolerance for wanking—and I think I’ve achieved this.” The album marks Isaak’s first time producing and engineering on his own, a feat he describes as both a challenge and a dream realized.

The lead single and title track, “Walkin’ With The Blues,” captures Isaak’s hallmark songwriting style—equal parts heartbreak and hard-won wisdom. Lyrics like “With the blues as my companion / down this long hard road / we’ll keep on walkin’ / and share this heavy load” show Isaak’s emotional range, drawing listeners deep into his world of lost love and gritty perseverance.

Themes throughout the album stretch from life and love to death, sex, and even murder—all delivered with what Isaak calls “gusto and passion.” Each track is infused with the vintage tones of electric blues, channeling the spirit of legends like T-Bone Walker and Ronnie Earl. “I’ve always dreamed of making an electric blues album that captures the feel of the records I grew up on,” he says. “This one’s for the guitarists I worshipped as a kid.”

The record was made with Isaak’s touring band, The Saints of Swing, on Vancouver Island. “We built this in a single room with ribbon mics, cold beer, and heart,” he says. “Every note played was real, unfiltered. The drums, the guitars, the feel—it’s all there, honest and alive.” That honesty translates to every track, from rollicking shuffles to mournful ballads.

A true blues craftsman with over 37 years on the road, Isaak has toured across three continents and earned accolades including a 2024 Juno nomination for Blues Album of the Year. His performance resume includes 13 European tours and four nominations at the 2023 Maple Blues Awards, where he was recognized for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album/Producer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Acoustic Act of the Year.

To celebrate the release of Walkin’ With The Blues, Brandon Isaak will embark on an extensive tour across Western Canada, bringing his new album to life with performances full of storytelling, humour, and heart. 

Whether performing solo or backed by a powerhouse band, Isaak’s shows are rooted in the blues tradition—one part celebration, one part confession, all heart. “I’m not trying to reinvent the blues,” he says. “I’m just doing what it’s always done—telling stories, sharing truths, and keeping the fire burning.”

Downchild’s Donnie Walsh Named to the Order of Canada for Outstanding Contributions to Canadian Music and Culture

 

The Governor General of Canada has appointed Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh to the Order of Canada, recognizing more than five decades of extraordinary contributions to Canadian music and culture. The honour—the nation’s highest civilian recognition—celebrates Walsh’s lifetime of dedication to the blues and his role in shaping Canada’s musical legacy.

 

Founded in 1967, the Order of Canada’s motto, Desiderantes meliorem patriam—“They desire a better country”—perfectly reflects the spirit Donnie Walsh has brought to Canada’s stages and recording studios. As leader and co-founder of The Legendary Downchild Blues Band, Walsh has spent the past 55 years spreading joy, soul, and that unmistakable jump-blues sound across Canada and around the world.

 

The Order of Canada is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the country. In Walsh’s case, his influence has been both profound and far-reaching—from helping to spark the blues scene in Canada, to inspiring Hollywood history as a foundational figure behind The Blues Brothers. Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi based their iconic characters on Donnie and his brother, the late Richard “Hock” Walsh, covering Downchild songs “Shotgun Blues” and “I Got Everything I Need (Almost)” on their 1978 multi-platinum album Briefcase Full of Blues.

 

From recording their debut album Bootleg, one of the first indie records in Canada, in the underground parking garage at Toronto’s Rochdale College, to sharing the stage with legends like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and James Cotton, Donnie Walsh has remained a pioneering force in Canadian music. In 2019, he was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, joining icons Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell.

 

The Order of Canada announcement comes on the heels of Downchild’s emotional Farewell Tour, which wrapped in 2024, after a final run of shows celebrating their milestone 55th anniversary. Known for their Juno Award-winning sound and unforgettable live performances, Downchild offered fans one last chance to dance, laugh, and groove with one of the greatest blues bands of our time.

 

Over 2.5 Million Streams: Vancouver's Honeybear, The Band Drops Blues Revival Debut 'I Was Wrong'

 

Honeybear, The Band, steps into the spotlight with a compelling self-titled album that speaks the language of blues with sincerity and vigor. Fronted by the charismatic Ian Beaty on vocals and bass, with Colin Brumelle’s guitar cutting through the mix, Mike Kenney’s keyboards coloring the soundscape, and Tim Watson’s steady drumming locking the groove, Honeybear offers a refreshingly honest blues experience for today’s listeners.

From the first note of their single “I Was Wrong,” it’s clear Vancouver-based Honeybear is not retreading old ground but charting a new course. The song’s lyrics — penned by Beaty and Brumelle — evoke the universal journey of reflection and growth, balancing vulnerability and strength with a bluesy authenticity that is both timeless and immediate. "There were times when I was wrong / And I didn’t know it / There were times when I was wrong / And it knew it well," Ian sings, with a voice that carries the weight of hard lessons learned and the grace of acceptance.

Produced by Jeff Zipp and released on their own Playmor label, the album showcases the band’s tight interplay and dynamic range. The music moves effortlessly between heartfelt balladry and upbeat grooves, with a sound rooted in classic blues tradition yet unafraid to embrace contemporary nuances. Honeybear invites listeners into a world where each song is a story, a confession, and a celebration.

The band’s Vancouver roots run deep, and their live shows are a testament to their commitment to connection and authenticity. Whether playing the intimate corners of local venues or larger festivals, Honeybear’s energy is palpable, and their musicianship impeccable. Their sound bridges generations, inviting longtime blues aficionados and new fans alike to rediscover the power of the genre.

“I Was Wrong,” the lead single set for release on June 20, 2025, is already generating buzz on Spotify, SoundCloud, and YouTube, capturing attention with its raw emotion and catchy melodic hooks. The song’s lyrical honesty resonates widely, reminding listeners of the redemptive power of owning one’s mistakes and moving forward.

The band describes their creative process as deeply collaborative. “We write what we live,” says Ian Beaty. “Our songs come from real experiences, moments that stick with you — the kind of stories that belong in the blues.” Colin Brumelle adds, “We want the music to feel alive, something that makes people feel they’re part of the story.”

Honeybear’s lineup reads like a blueprint for success in modern blues: Ian Beaty’s soulful vocals and commanding bass; Colin Brumelle’s expressive guitar work; Mike Kenney’s rich keyboard textures; and Tim Watson’s solid, tasteful drumming. Together, they create a sound that is robust and nuanced, commanding attention without overpowering.

With their new album poised to make waves, Honeybear, The Band is hitting the road with a tour that brings their compelling blues to audiences across British Columbia and beyond.

Steve Marriner Releases 'Hear My Heart' Album

 

Acclaimed Canadian blues artist Steve Marriner is back with the new single "Straight Line," the third release from his solo album Hear My Heart, out now via Cordova Bay Records. Following the swaggering success of his first single — a blues-soaked reinvention of Genesis’s “I Can’t Dance” and “I Don’t Know What To Say.”

 

With over twenty years of relentless touring and recording, Steve Marriner has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most versatile and hard-working musicians. Nicknamed "The Swiss Army Knife" for his multi-instrumental talents, Marriner is a celebrated harmonica player, baritone guitarist, soulful vocalist, and creative producer.

 

As a co-founder and frontman of the acclaimed blues-rock band MonkeyJunk, Marriner has won two JUNO Awards for Blues Album of the Year and became part of Canadian blues history when MonkeyJunk became the first Canadian band to win a Blues Music Award in Memphis. His 2021 solo album Hope Dies Last earned a 2022 JUNO nomination, cementing his place as a powerhouse solo artist.

 

Beyond MonkeyJunk, Marriner has collaborated with legends including Buddy Guy, Colin James, and Blue Rodeo, as well as produced two albums — Yeah! by David Gogo and This Old Life by Big Dave McLean — both nominated for Blues Album of the Year at the 2025 JUNO Awards.

 

With Hear My Heart, Marriner continues to evolve, bringing new emotional depth and musical grit to his work — and solidifying his status as one of the most compelling voices in modern blues.

Bluesy R&B Unfiltered: Tribz Bring Southern Heat & Indigenous Power With “Long Black Cadillac”

Sometimes the funkiest, fiercest music comes from the most unexpected places — like a garage jam during COVID that led to Long Black Cadillac, the newest release from Indigenous Bluesy Rock collective TRIBZ. This tight four-piece unit is more than just a band — they’re a genre-melting powerhouse of lived history, raw groove, and unshakable heart. And in an industry that still doesn’t know where to place bands like them, TRIBZ is carving out their own lane — with whitewall tires and a V8 engine.
 
Composed of Errol Starr Francis (vocals), Earl Johnson (guitar), Donny Hill (bass), and Dave Davidson (drums), TRIBZ blends their deep roots in Six Nations and Hamilton with decades of blues, Motown, southern rock, reggae, and R&B lineage. Juno winners and nominees, Indigenous trailblazers, and genre-defiers — they’ve shared stages with everyone from King Biscuit Boy to AC/DC, Big Sugar to Blue Rodeo. But their most important legacy is the one they’re building together, now.
 
The single Long Black Cadillac is as much a statement of intent as it is a sonic ride. “We want the listener to come for a ride in our Long Black Cadillac,” the band says. It all started with Earl’s riff in Dave’s garage. “We jumped into the groove,” they recall. From there, the lyrics took shape — fun, soulful, and drenched in southern imagery. Lines like “Silky black stockings be lookin’ so fine, I can’t hide what’s on my mind” and “Since the day you came around, my bad boy image came crashing down” marry cheeky nostalgia with heartfelt confessions.
 
The track pulses with sweat and swagger, pulling listeners into a world where moss hangs from trees, stilettos click down humid streets, and love rides shotgun in a long black Cadillac. Errol’s smooth-as-honey vocals glide across the beat, channeling his Juno-winning soul/R&B chops with a gospel-tinged grit. “Errol takes us to places where Georgia peaches grow and that Southern Belle is waiting for us to get back to where we used to be,” they explain.

Each member brings their own fire:

Errol Starr Francis (Adopted ASMINTI Metis member) is best known for the Soul/R&B hit “Angel,” and delivers every note like it’s a sermon.
Earl Johnson (Six Nations Tuscarora) cut his teeth with King Biscuit Boy and Moxy, and his blues-rock attack is fierce and fluid.
Dave Davidson (Hamilton native) toured globally with The American Rogues, anchoring every beat with the depth of four decades.
Donny Hill (Six Nations Mohawk) has played with Murray Porter and the cast of RUMBLE, his fretless bass laying down seismic soul.
 
TRIBZ is fiercely proud of their Indigenous heritage. “Earl and Donny are Six Nations tribe members. Errol is an adopted member of ASMINTI,” they affirm. “We were all born on Turtle Island.” Their work doesn’t just entertain — it uplifts the power of Indigenous music in the present, outside the boxes and expectations.
 
Why are people falling in love with TRIBZ? Because their sound defies categories. Because their funk is raw, their stories are real, and their spirit is unstoppable. And it’s catching on — one groove at a time. As they put it: “Take me home, Long Black Cadillac.” This band is on the move — and the world is along for the ride.