Blake Berglund

The brand of Blake Berglund confidently sits alone. A story of independence that champions a beginning with the urban-like legend of an artist literally knocking on doors with a debut album after being recorded on a shoe-string budget. A hard-shell suitcase holds street maps of Western Canadian centres with crescents, boulevards and avenues blacked out once visited. A cold introduction to strangers and a conviction that would result in 10,000 albums, planted in homes like seeds awaiting their harvest.

This sense of drive was instilled through early childhood responsibilities of tending to 200 head of livestock outside the rural community of Kennedy, Saskatchewan, Canada. Formal piano training, grunge music and cowboy culture found their way into a handful of adolescent musical projects to begin the shaping of Berglund's consistent evolution. Following a couple years of post secondary education he began to develop his writing craft and study the independent movement of self-booking, representation and management.

Self-produced records spanned genres. With pop-sensibilities, he experimented with instrumentation slowly moving towards a country-esque sound with the 2010 release Ends of the Earth receiving awards through the Saskatchewan Country Music Association and The Independent Music Awards. Berglund relocated to Vancouver and attracted the attention of West-Coast Producer, John MacArthur Ellis. 

Ellis' influence created Berglund's breakout album, Coyote. Still taking advantage of hovering between genres, Ellis showcased Berglund's strength as a writer combining his wit with word-smithing. Songs breaking through the national radio charts were backed by more artistic numbers with rodeo storylines, historical references and political satire. Coyote also bragged a supportive cast with both Canadiana heavy-weight Tim Hus and three-time CCMA Female Artist of the Year Jess Moskaluke contributing feature duets. Berglund received recognition through both the Canadian Country Music Association as well as its Saskatchewan affiliate in 2013 as a "roots" artist. 

A yearly touring schedule continued finding comfort in one-hundred dates a year. His singer-songwriter persona was shed with the creation of The Vultures; a group of polished renegade honky-tonkers. At home at major festivals as they were in the depths of the beer-joint circuit, leaving stages at Prince Edward Island's 2014 Celebrations, Craven Countryfest, Calgary Stampede, Junofest, Canadian Music Week and BreakOut West conquered with their ever-increasing brand of hard country twang. 

Blake Berglund & The Vultures captured their bravado at a sold out show in Jasper, Alberta and released it as the 2014 album, Jasper. A back catalogue collection, unique renditions, and freshly written material consuming a front to back display of one of Canada's foremost real country acts. 

In true classic country fashion, Berglund found a partner. Fellow Saskatchewan Songstress, Belle Plaine, was soon to join the mission and in 2015 they released a limited edition 7" vinyl continuing the troubadour lifestyle extending into the United States. The sound accommodated to the folk society communities and they began selling out performances across the country and being booked as direct support for the legendary, Dwight Yoakam.

Berglund's creative mind and hustle opened up a new outlet in September 2016 as he developed a narrative to Reclaim the Spirit of America's Country Music. A five week exploration of the United States hunting for venues, artists, and communities dedicated to the traditionalisms of what's becoming a bastardized genre. His journalistic approach has his blog read by tens of thousands with a story described as 'Saving Country Music meets Hunter S. Thompson meets Lord of the Rings' and a cast of characters including Hayes Carll, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers, John Prine, Ryan Bingham and Todd Snider - its blog-style development continues into the release of his 2017 album, Realms.

Furthering his unique approach to story-telling, Realms is a concept album about the breadth of the human experience, the recognition of God and the powers within oneself. Based around a life-altering experience in December 2015, Realms is currently in discussions for release partnerships.

Berglund isn't slowing. His Vultures are preparing for a continuous year of movement and their fight to keep country country as he dedicates his time with them to his local communities throughout Western Canada and Nashville, Tennessee.