Of all the local bands made good, I’m always surprised by how little attention we give Caledonia. The boys write solid songs, stand for something and aren’t afraid to pile in the van and tour the shit out of their songs. In this era of blog TUMBLR-born and praised bands, it’s refreshing to see a band still go out and earn fans the old fashioned way.

 

The band has taken a pause, but refuse to idle. Zac Crouse just completed an epic Ottawa-Halifax sea kayaking journey to show we don’t need to rely of gasoline (watch the webisodes, they are fantastical), and Steve Gates has been holed up in vans touring with The Warped 45s to introduce friends and fans to his new solo material.

 

Gates will release the full length LP in 2012, but in a few days you can pick up the Hello Jesus EP and I suggest you do. The four-song trailer shows why Gates is such an engaging performer and song writer. The songs offer a sense of humor and compassion alongside his appreciation of where he comes from and the songs that helped him find his voice. The title track oozes Prine; Gates sings of true love, passion and drunken stumbles without regret or judgment. Life is meant for living, and whether that’s an extra drink or the shameless display of making love under the stars you can feel the warm embrace Gates offers our city by the sea.

 

The most immediate song on the EP is the touching tribute to the women that have disappeared on Highway 16. I first heard the song at Crouse’s solo LP launch, and I’ve been waiting for a year to hear it in recorded form. The “oh oh ohs” added to the chorus will warm the hearts of any Caledonia fan, but the message will tug at your heart strings.

 

The cherry on top of this audio Sunday is the sincere rework of the Brenda Lee classic, “You Were Always On My Mind.” Gates shares vocal duties with the criminally underrated Catherine MacLellan and while their version might not reach the same stratospheric heights of Willie Nelson or Elvis’ take, it represents what a solo record is all about. It’s a chance for Steve to share songs that mean a lot to him and sit outside of the Caledonia sound, and if these four songs are an indication of that love, we are in for a treat.

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MP3:: Steve Gates ft. Catherine MacLellan – You Are Always on My Mind

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MP3:: Steve Gates – Hello Jesus