SPILL NEWS: THE SHEEPDOGS KEEP THEIR FOOT ON THE GAS WITH NEW EP ‘HELL TOGETHER’

THE SHEEPDOGS KEEP THEIR FOOT ON THE GAS WITH NEW EP HELL TOGETHER

NEW ERA OF FULLY INDEPENDENT RELEASES CONTINUES ON SELF-OWNED LABEL ‘RIGHT ON RECORDS’

Beloved Canadian rockers The Sheepdogs unveil their new EP, Hell Together. Riding high on the success of Paradise Alone, the multi-platinum, four-time JUNO-winning quintet now deliver the second release on their own label, Right On Records. Marking twenty years of classic, no-frills rock, Hell Together is a celebration of a career forged on their own terms. Stream Hell Together HERE.

A companion piece to their recent EP Paradise Alone, Hell Together was recorded just months after its predecessor and raises the compelling question: is it better to be in paradise alone, or hell together? The EP explores deeper into Americana territory than the Sheepdogs have gone before, all the while keeping the band’s signature hooks, harmonies and classic-rock spirit intact. Despite its often upbeat and sunny sound, Hell Together doesn’t shy away from heavy themes that resonate with anyone who has worked long and hard. The album is full of relatable struggles: overworking, finding a sense of home, and balancing healthy habits along the way.

Recorded in the heart of Toronto at Taurus Recording, Hell Together brings back trusted engineer Thomas D’Arcy, who previously worked with frontman Ewan Currie on Changing Colours (2018) and Outta Sight (2022), both of which were nominated for JUNO ‘Rock Album of The Year’. “It was good to be back with Thom,” shares Currie. “We’ve known each other a long time, and there’s this dynamic where we’re always learning from each other. You never stop growing as a band – it’s an education every time.”

After 20 years together, The Sheepdogs’ chemistry is palpable, lending an effortless vibe to the tracks, while still allowing them to push new boundaries without losing their essence. They may be searching for answers thematically, but musically, they’re rock-solid, wielding a warm, familiar tone. Ewan Currie’s powerful, buttery vocals; the tight, locked-in rhythm section of Ryan Gullen and Sam Corbett; newly minted member Ricky Paquette’s masterful guitar work, and Shamus Currie’s multi-instrumental prowess paint vibrant scenes that feel as breezy and bright as they are introspective.

Hell Together kicks off with “Now Or Never”, a track rich with harmonies and steeped in a hopeful familiarity. A steady acoustic strum and classic Farfisa organ evoke a nostalgic longing for home, striking a balance between reflection and forward momentum. Then there’s “My Home Is Burning”, gently ushering listeners in with acoustic guitar and shimmering electric riffs, setting a serene scene while lyrically confronting the harsh changes life can bring. “Jeroboam” (named after a hefty 3L jug of wine) feels like a campfire sing-along in which its namesake is being passed around, with guitars in hand and a communal spirit. Finally, title track “Hell Together” captures the essence of the band’s collective journey, lost in time and reflecting on everything they’ve faced side by side.

“We’ve been through ‘hell together’,” says Currie. “But that’s what makes us a brotherhood. Being in a band, you’re constantly out there, united against the world, and it builds a strength like no other. This song captures that bond.”

After parting ways with Warner Music Canada in 2022, The Sheepdogs have since been able to buy back a large portion of their award-winning catalogue and will distribute the music along with future releases via Right On Records, through The Orchard worldwide. This newfound freedom has empowered the band to make a major shift in how, and how often, they release music.

“We want to keep the music flowing constantly. In a world flooded with content, there’s no better way to stay connected with our fans than by recording and releasing music regularly,” says bassist Ryan Gullen. “With Right On Records, our vision was always to step up the pace—to get our music out there faster and more freely. We have so much more to share, and this gives us the freedom to release it in new and exciting ways.”

With newfound independence from their own label, The Sheepdogs have embraced the freedom to stretch out sonically, building the kinds of sprawling guitar jams more typical of their live shows. Paquette slips right into the band’s groove, his distinct flavour blending seamlessly after nearly 200 shows together since 2022.

Hell Together feels like a meditation on where The Sheepdogs have been, and where they’re headed, looking forward and backward as they confront some of life’s big questions. In a world of uncertainties, the album closes on a powerful note, reminding fans and themselves that The Sheepdogs are far from done. “Feeling lost in time and we won’t be ‘round forever…all I know is we ain’t finished yet.”

Tour Dates

EU Tour Dates – FALL 2024
Nov 09 – Santiago de Compostela, ES @ Outono Codax Festival – Sala Capitol
Nov 10 – Madrid, ES @ Sala Mon Live
Nov 11 – Barcelona, ES @ Sala La Nau
Nov 13 – Munich, DE @ Strom
Nov 14 – Dresden, DE @ Beatpol
Nov 15 – Berlin, DE @ Frannz
Nov 17 – Hamburg, DE @ Bahnhof Pauli
Nov 18 – Aarhus, DK @ HeadQuarters
Nov 20 – Stockholm, SE @ Debaser
Nov 21 – Oslo, NO @ John Dee
Nov 22 – Copenhagen, DK @ Loppen
Nov 24 – Groningen, NL @ De Oosterpoort
Nov 25 – Utrecht, NL @ TivoliVredenburg (Pandora)
Nov 26 – Cologne, DE @ Luxor
Nov 27 – Paris, FR @ Badaboum
Nov 29 – Porthcawl, UK @ Planet Rockstock
Nov 30 – Bristol, UK @ Strange Brew – SOLD OUT
Dec 01 – Manchester, UK @ Band on the Wall
Dec 02 – Glasgow, UK @ Oran Mor SOLD OUT
Dec 04 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
Dec 05 – London, UK @ Islington Assembly Hall

Artist Links

Background Photo Credit: Mat Dunlap

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