The Long Haul

The members of the Long Haul commuted across the country to meet & unite as a single musical group one fine winter morning in Toronto, Ont. As these common minded newcomers weave their way through the heart of the Ontario, they continue to write and perform their exciting new original music. They bring songs of small town waitresses, wildflowers, cold north winds, and out of work miners that all walks of life can relate to. With Port Perry Ontario’s own Matthew Bailey being the principal writer of the band, some common themes in the Long Haul’s music are the internal turmoil of an individual who has moved from a small town to the big city, love, and youthful uncertainty. The Long Haul converts these universal & communal feelings into music and art, making emotional connections with all their listeners and fans. They can have your heartstrings in a knot one second and have you jiving on the dance floor the next.

“The emotional spectrum that this band covers is incredible and is executed with honesty and precision beyond their years” (contemporary songwriter Kirsten Scholte)

The Long Haul’s sound is defined by bittersweet harmonies, lush dobro textures, subtle yet solid grooves and then peppered with acoustic and electric guitar. Often times you will see vocalists trading off verses and chiming in on choruses. This can be reminiscent of the great stage vibe that Rick Danko, Levon Helm, and Robert Manuel captured in The Band. Influenced equally by the raw power of bands like Neil Young & Crazy Horse and The Band as well as the tender beauty of Leonard Cohen or their contemporary Justin Rutledge, The Long Haul have managed to carve out their own niche in the roots music scene which continually has them gaining supporters and fans.

“I would gladly work with this band…really great songs” (Ian Terry – Leonard Cohen, David Bowie)

Canadian writers are one of the bands largest lyrical influences. The literary works of Alden Nowlan, Alistair Macleod, and Margaret Laurence are just naming a few of the talented artists who have inspired the songwriting of the group. The band has been praised for lines like,

“The rain is falling on that rusted sleigh,
I dream about the past,
in the orchard where we used to play,
she whispers do not be afraid”,

The subtle poetics of lyrics like these can be credited to the teachings of these celebrated writers.

The Long Haul has been honing their skills for the last year scattering the chime of the tambourine and the wail of the harmonica out the doors of many Toronto and Southern Ontario music venues. After spending countless hours learning and perfecting the tradition of folk/country/rock and then distilling it through their own filters Matthew Bailey, Jennah Barry, Joshua Cockerill, Lucas Gadke, Michael Eckert, and Joshua VanTassel have arrived at the unique sound that they now call their own. In it for the long haul, these young artists are sure to be carrying their music and good spirits far beyond the borders of Ontario and Canada in the years to come.