Artist Information
Biography
What started out as adventurous bluegrass quartet has fast become a sharply focused roots music outfit that owes as much to The Band and Blue Rodeo as it does to Bill Monroe.
With a strikingly original repertoire, and a lively on-stage show, the band made a strong name for itself at festivals and clubs across the country. Last year the group earned two nominations at the Canadian Folk Music Awards — for Emerging Artist(s) of the Year and for Vocal Ensemble of the Year — and won a nomination for “Americana Album of the Year” at the Independent Music Awards.
Now, with Heartwood, the band’s signature sound remains, but members Matthew Lawson, Archie Pateman, Ben Rogalsky and Lee Watson are moving in a new, exciting direction. Now you’ll also hear touches of soul, classic r&b, a bit of old country and a solid taste of roots rock and roll.
The band’s new record fits perfectly into the roots/rock “Americana” / “Indie Folk” genre, There are 10 original songs by band members Pateman and Watson. — and a song from the reclusive Toronto singer Mary Margaret O’Hara, which the band found on her only album, released in 1988. The CD’s opening song, “Back to the Start” has been distributed to radio across Canada.
Like Ben Franklin with his kite, The Breakmen are messing with electricity — and in fact Lee (who is a guitar builder) has made two Telecaster-styled electric guitars for the band -- new directions can be challenging and inspiring at the same time.”
With the launch of the new album, The Breakmen are looking forward to major tours in Canada, the U.S., and in Europe. “We truly believe in this record. Now we want to get on the road and play the new material.”
Instrumentation
Ben Rogalsky: Percussion, Mandolin, guitar, harmonica, banjo, vocals
Lee Watson: Guitar, mandolin, vocals
Matt Lawson: Upright bass, vocals
Archie Pateman: Guitar, 5-string banjo, vocals
Discography
The Breakmen-2006 Outside Distribution-CAD/Burnside Distribution-US
Whiskey Hollow Bound-Compilation CD including 2 tracks by The Breakmen-2007 Outside Distribution
When You Leave Town-Oct 10, 2008 Outside Distribution-CAD/Burnside Distribution-US
Heartwood - November 7, 2010
Official Website
Links
Video
Photo Gallery
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Hi Res Promo 1
Download print quality (high-res) version (Right Click -> Save As) -
Breakmen Standing
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the claw
Press
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Penguin Eggs
"The Breakmen continue to impress...."
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The Georgia Straight
[+ Show ]
"Meticulous craftsmanship of the songwriting, the strength of the lead vocals, and the tightness of ...
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San Francisco Bay Gaurdian
[+ Show ]
“To the already long list of Canadians who bleed pure Americana please add The Breakmen. Like their ...
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Folk World
[+ Show ]
"With their new album The Breakmen have established themselves on top of the Americana scene, for me...
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The Vue Weekly
[+ Show ]
"Much like The Band used to do so well, each of the Breakmen’s vocalists covers his own area in a sh...
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Rogue Folk Club
"Vancouver's kings of harmony...." - Steve Edge
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McGill Tribune
[+ Show ]
"As The Breakmen continue to achieve their own pure and raw brand of folk music, there is no questio...
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Bluegrass Unlimited
[+ Show ]
"....When You Leave Town” is dynamic acoustic music blending elements of bluegrass, jazz, and countr...
Setlist
When You Leave Town (Pateman)
Play Me Another One (Watson)
Jethros Chocolates (Rogalsky)
Brookmere (Pateman)
Leavin' California (Watson)
Belong To That Band (Trad)
Racing in The Streets (Springsteen)
Come and Gone (Pateman)
Cold Nights of Darkness (Watson)
Thats Where I Lay Down (Rogalsky)
Hospital Moon (Pateman)
Long Time Mama (Watson)
Cool me Down (Watson)
Buy me a Ticket (Pateman)
Sweetheart of the Rodeo (Watson)
No More Cane (Traditional)
Heavy on my Mind (Watson)
Didn't He Ramble (Traditional)
Red Dress (Willie P. Bennett)
Mama Knows Best (Pateman)
Leavin' on a Midnight Train(Watson)
Km 19 (Pateman)
Cold Nights of Darkness (Watson)
Cocaine Blues (Traditional)
Never Shine Sun (Greg Brown)
*One to three sets, 40-60 minutes each.
