Nick Faye and the Deputies

Writing a concept album was as much a surprise to Nick Faye as it will be to fans of his music.

The album, titled Stumbling Distance, is scheduled for release on April 17 and in a recent interview to advance the April 14 cd release show at The Exchange, Faye explained how the concept album came to be.

“I didn’t set out to write a concept album. I wrote a few songs and I thought it was kind of a cool story to explore,” said Faye. “I kept writing and having fun with it and before I knew it, I realized that there was a story arc in the songs. What wound up happening is that once Michael (Wojewoda) wanted to work with us, we sat down one day and had a two- or three-hour Skype session. He pushed me to explain what the concept was for the album. He wanted to hear the story . . . His point was that if I was going to do a concept album, I needed to understand what each and every character was doing, thinking, even if they’re not involved in a particular song. He stressed that I needed to know these things because it would help the band emote in the studio.

“He said he liked the concept but that it needed to be flushed out. I needed to be able to tell him the complete story from front to back. So I just started to write the album, it turned into a concept album and Michael helped to refine it.”


Nick Faye & The Deputies have been regulars on the Regina music scene since 2010. The band, comprised of Faye, Adam Ennis (percussion), Byron Chambers (bass) and Jon Neher (keyboards), have consistently released original music over the past eight years. Their catalogue includes The Last Best West (2011), Harvest (2013), Worry (2014) and Lambswool (2016).

But Stumbling Distance is different, focused on a singular concept throughout the album. It tells the story of a summer romance following graduation in a small town on the Prairies.

Faye admitted that writing for a concept album was unlike writing for any other album.

“It was a completely different writing experience,” said Faye. “It was really, really cool because I’d never thought about characters. I just thought, ‘They’re just songs. They can be about whatever. They’re just themes.’ For this, I actually had to think about emotions and about what the characters were thinking and feeling. It needed to be real.

“It was fun to have a whole blank canvas.”


Hiring a producer was also different from the previous albums released by the band. In the past, Chambers handled the role with input from the other band members.

This time around, Faye decided to go with Wojewoda, an award-winning producer who has worked with the likes of the Barenaked Ladies, Rheostatics, Great Big Sea and Buffy Sainte-Marie.

Faye wasn’t entirely sure about trusting an outside producer, even someone with credentials like Wojewoda.

“I’ve had friends who’ve worked with outside producers before and the experience was, ‘They just did everything. They had a vision and they just did it,’ ” said Faye. “Michael has shown in his past work that he’s versatile and can tap into bands artistically, sonically, what the vibe is about. He was totally able to understand what we wanted for the album and what our sound was. Instead of making it different, he understood and helped us go a little deeper sonically . . . It’s a little intense putting your faith into someone that you don’t really know that well. It was an amazing experience.

“He tried to figure out ways he could contribute what we couldn’t to make it more interesting sonically and to push us to bring the best sounds, the best takes, the best emotions, the best playing that we could bring. He knew what we were going for and bought into it. He helped us dig deeper and I’m not sure producers always do that.” - Regina Leader-Post

Nostalgic and familiar, Nick Faye and The Deputies play a brand of late-90’s inspired pop-rock drenched in Canadiana. The band consistently delivers high energy live performances and has become renown for their comedic and outlandish stage banter. They are set to release their third studio full-length, Stumbling Distance which was produced by Juno/Polaris award winning producer Michael Philip Wojewoda (Barenaked Ladies, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Amelia Curran) on April 17, 2018.



In recent years, Nick Faye & The Deputies has toured alongside rising Canadian stars Megan Nash and Colter Wall. They have also performed alongside Andy Shauf, Arkells, July Talk, Elliot Brood, Library Voices, and Northcote and have appeared at a number of high profile festivals including Regina Folk Festival, BreakOut West, FOCUS Wales, Folk Alliance International, CMW, NXNE, and JunoFest.

Stumbling Distance is a concept album that was produced by Polaris and Juno award winning Michael Wojewoda (Barenaked Ladies, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Amelia Curran). The album details a youthful summer romance during the summer following graduation in a small town in Saskatchewan. It explores the dynamic between “those who stay” to work in the rural community they grew up in and “those who leave” to seek out new opportunities in bigger cities. It was recorded at Studio One in Regina, SK with financial support from Creative Saskatchewan and Rawlco Radio.



What’s the most ‘rock star’ thing that you’ve ever done?

Sometimes I go to Tim Hortons on tour and get TWO bagels for breakfast instead of one. I don’t make a lot of money on the road and neither do most most musicians, so this might be one of the most “Rock Star” things.

What do you like better studio or stage and why?

We sound better in the studio (especially on this new album) and I really love the production aspect of recording. I also really love performing live and acting like a goofball onstage so that’s a tough one!

If you had to give up music – what would you do to be creative?

I used to do improv in High School and then just kind of got busy in University and music stuff. I stopped doing it a long time ago, but I think I’d have a lot of fun doing that if I couldn’t do music.

Strangest venue or gig you’ve ever played? I’ve played a lot of weird gigs.

I’ve driven out to the middle of nowhere in Saskatchewan to play in a high school gym to play for 3 people, played a weird 2012 “End of The World Party”, and I’ve also played a shows at a venue that had a KISS tribute band loudly setting up behind us while we were playing acoustic and unplugged. Too many to pick just one.

What is the best advice you were given in the music business?

Go be an engineer or doctor or something and save yourself a lot of headache and stress…. Just kidding.

Honestly though, it’s a brutal industry. People get easily discouraged and you gotta just keep picking yourself back up and keep on lumbering along. A lot of bands and artists think that it’s a sprint to glory. I see the music industry as more of a marathon. Just gotta keep yourself healthy and always remember where you came from, why you started, and what your end goal is. - BreakOut West

Regina, SK-based band, Nick Faye & The Deputies have released a live-off-the-floor version of “Whisper” from their upcoming album, Stumbling Distance which is set for release in April 2018.

When asked about the video, they responded,

“The video was done in our jam space which is called “The Lamp Lounge”, we were just trying to capture the live feel of one of our jams”

Watch the video below, and find out more about Nick Faye & The Deputies in our newest Five Questions With segment.



Care to introduce yourself to our readers?

Totally. My name is Nick Faye. I play in a band called Nick Faye & The Deputies, and we’re from Regina, SK.

Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.

Our music has definitely evolved over the past few years. I started writing acoustic folk-pop songs out of my basement in high school and in my dorm room in Saskatoon. I kept going to amazing local shows in Regina and Saskatoon and being inspired by all the amazing Saskatchewan artists such as Andy Shauf, Zachary Lucky, Sylvie, Rah Rah, Volcanoless in Canada, etc and really wanted to be a part of the scene, and I kept pushing myself to write better songs and play more shows around the Prairies and tour Canada.

About 7 years ago, I asked our bassist Byron if he would record some new songs that were more rock focused. He wound up joining the Deputies alongside Adam (our drummer), and eventually Jon (keys) and we just kind of grew into a more indie rock-pop sound with folk-country flourishes that you hear today.

“Stumbling Distance” is actually a concept album that details a youthful summer romance in the summer following graduation in a small town on the Canadian Prairies. It explores the dynamic between “those who stay” to work and live in the rural communities that they grew up in and “those who leave” to seek out new career and education opportunities in bigger cities. We’ve never done a concept album before, but it was really cool to work with Juno/Polaris winning producer Michael Wojewoda to flush out the concept and really explore some cool new soundscapes that eventually made it onto the album!

Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?

We’ve got a bunch of shows lined up! We’re pumped to play some Western tour dates in AB/SK, and we’ll be announcing some Eastern dates in a little bit as well! (See below for tour dates).

Our live performance is definitely a fun time. It’s mostly us rippin’ our songs and having a really good time chatting with the audience. Our stage banter is one of our most unique characteristics. A lot of people come up to us after shows and tell us that we should do stand-up comedy, but it’s honestly just us acting like goofballs onstage. I hope people watching us have as much fun as we do when we play because it’s such a privilege every time we get to take the stage!

NICK FAYE & THE DEPUTIES – WESTERN TOUR DATES
SAT, MAR 24 – Swift Current, SC – The Lyric Theatre w/ Red Moon Road
SAT, APR 14 – Regina, SK – The Exchange w/ Andino Suns
FRI, APR 27 – Saskatoon, SK – Amigos
FRI, MAY 4 – Calgary, AB – Nite Owl
SAT, MAY 5 – Twin Butte, AB– General Store

If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?

Oh man, I don’t think I can suggest just one off the new album! “Told You” and “Whisper” are great, but my favorite is probably “Ex Pats”. There are some swears, but it’s an angry punk song about people who move away from small town SK and think they’re better than the people they left behind.

Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?

I think there is an amazing wave of strong, exceptional music being put out by Canadian women these days. It’s ridiculous how much talent there is in the country. Skye Wallace, Megan Nash, Hello Delaware are all amazing. Land of Talk probably put out the best album of the last year.

Locally, Surf Dads and Poor Nameless Boy are some other wicked SK bands too! - Canadian Beats

In the rural province of Saskatchewan the winters are cold, the skies are huge and the dreams are big. Growing up in the hardcore and punk scene alongside Andy Shauf at legendary venue the Buffalo Lounge, Nick Faye & The Deputies also catalogue the minutiae of growing up in a small town, but musically take a very different approach.



Faye is often called upon by his beloved WHL Hockey Team the Regina Pats to perform the national anthem before their home games at the Brandt Centre, and will shortly be performing the anthems at The Brier, Canada's national curling tournament. It is difficult to tell if the feeling of playing in front of a packed arena fed into his writing process, but the upcoming album Stumbling Distance certainly has a sound that seeks to fill them.

Packed full of swooning pedal steels, horns, hammond organs, and big, anthemic choruses there is no lack of ambition on display on lead track 'Told You'. The band recruited Barenaked Ladies and Buffy St. Marie producer Michael Wojewoda to give things an extra pop sheen.

If former tourmate Colter Wall is a Prairies Johnny Cash, and Shauf is their Elliott Smith, then perhaps, given time, Faye could be their Tom Petty. - The Line of Best Fit

7 Questions with Nick Faye

Nick Faye & The Deputies are a band from the deepest depths of the Canadian Prairies (Regina, SK). They make music that sticks to your ribs… We chatted to him ahead of his European tour which includes a show at The Bluebird Cafe in Edinburgh on 14th May.

For those who haven’t heard about you; can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your music?

As a kid I spent my summers camping and helping my Dad at our family farm in Saskatchewan. I was always surrounded by music around the campfire and always had top 40 pop-rock radio on while helping my Dad work in the fields and around the yard. Eventually in high school I started listening to metal and punk and started to go to shows in that scene. I guess my current sound is heavily influenced by all 3 of those musical experiences: Acoustic pop campfire songs, top 40 90’s pop-rock, and the passion/work ethic/high energy live set of DIY punk rock.

You hail from Regina, Canada. What was the music scene there like when you were growing up?

It was a really great experience when I started going to shows and playing shows in high school. Most of my friends and other bands who got their starts in Regina grew up in the punk/hardcore or acoustic scene. It was a really big thing in Saskatchewan. Some really big and great bands doing great things today got their start playing coffee shops and small town gymnasiums as kids. Northcote, Andy Shauf, Rah Rah, Library Voices, Teen Daze, Surf Dads, Close Talker, and Zachary Lucky are all examples of great bands or artists doing well that were involved in the Saskatchewan punk rock and acoustic folk scene when I was growing up. I was just fortunate to get to go to a show on any given night, watch great artists and high energy bands, and get motivated to go home and push myself to write better songs because I wanted to be a part of the scene.

What was it like working with Michael Wojewoda on the album you’ve just finished recording with your band (Nick Faye and The Deputies)?

Working with Michael was one of the most challenging, rewarding experience of my life. It was also the most creatively uncomfortable, in a good way. He really pushed me in preproduction to dig deeper as I was writing the songs, and pushed our band to approach recording in a completely different manner than which we had ever done before. We were not anticipating the amount of work, production tweaks, and energy that recording would take. We’d also never handed partial creative control over songs and recordings over to someone not in our band, so that took a bit of getting used to. That being said, we’re a better band and I’m a better songwriter for having worked with him, and we’re so fortunate to have gotten that opportunity.

You’re playing at the wonderfully tiny Bluebird Cafe in Edinburgh on the 14th of May, do you prefer playing smaller venues like this one or big arenas?

Haha well usually I only play arenas so……. Just kidding. It’ll be pretty standard for where I am in my career right now. The band has started getting booked for some festivals but usually it’s smaller clubs. I’m really excited to play shows in a new culture though. It’s always interesting to note the little cultural nuances even throughout Canada, so touring the UK should be a really cool experience!

You’re playing on the same bill as “Poor Nameless Boy” at The Bluebird. Have you played with him before and might we get you both “on stage” together?

Yeah! Poor Nameless Boy is great. We’ve shared the stage a few times over the years, and we’re in the same “musician pal circle” in Regina. He’s been working really hard over the past few years, and I love his songs. The last album is a real great listen. Yeah, him and I usually do a two part version of Bohemian Rhapsody whenever we share the stage so we’ll probably do that again…. Just kidding… Or am I? People will have to show up to find out!!

Who are you listening to just now and are there any bands you think we should definitely be checking out?

Most times I listen to local bands. Lately Surf Dads and Close Talker from Saskatchewan have been in my playlist. Outside of Saskatchewan, I’ve been going through a weird mid-00’s indie-emo-punk inspired rock phase and listening to Pinegrove, The Hotelier, and Microwave.. Guilty pleasure would probably be The Chainsmokers…. Good songs are good songs.

You’re playing Paris on the 24th of May how much are you looking forward to that and what’s next for you and The Deputies?

Really excited! I’ve never been to Paris before. This whole trip was meant to get out and get a taste for a few different cities and markets and network with awesome people in anticipation for our album release in Spring 2018. This summer will be all about developing content and getting our ducks in a row for our release. I’m planning to return to Europe likely in Fall 2018 with The Deputies to promote the album, so we’ll see everyone then as well! - Channel7A - Edinburgh

Nick Faye

This Canadian guitarist from band Nick Faye and the Deputies played a whole number of solo shows during the event. 3 shows, for clarification, and each one brought along new fans. We only saw one, the event at the Fat Boar venue, but plenty were chatting to us about each event. The attraction to this show was the music, of course, but also Faye himself, who was much more than an artist, but a performer, talking to the crowd, asking for questions and regaling tales of home. Top behaviour and thoroughly enjoyed. - GetintoThis - UK

Regina's Nick Faye and his band The Deputies recently released a six song EP called Lambs Wool.

They are playing a few festivals this summer before heading back into the studio to record a full length album.

One of the places you can see them live onstage is at the Regina Folk Festival but first Nick Faye joined us on his own in an Empty Room to perform Wild Bones from the Lambs Wool EP. - CBC Saskatchewan

The life of a travelling musician isn’t all sunshine, rainbows and unicorns — just ask Nick Faye.

Actually, rather than ask Faye about the toll touring can take on a musician, just listen to Lambswool, a four-track EP that was released March 6 by Nick Faye & The Deputies. The songs are rooted in the mental and physical challenges that artists face when tackling an active road schedule.

Faye admitted that when he first started touring, the trips were akin to a holiday but the reality of the day-to-day grind eventually caught his attention.

“There’s this stereotypical vision of what life is like on that road, that it’s some epic adventure. For the first few times, it was. That’s what the album was rooted in, experiencing my feelings during that weird time of transition,” explained Faye.

“I just found that lifestyle is tough — you’re not eating right, you’re not sleeping right. You can do it for a while but eventually it catches up to you.”

Faye and his band, comprised of Jon Neher (keyboards), Byron Chambers (bass) and Adam Ennis (drums), has fashioned a stellar reputation in Saskatchewan and across Canada with pop/rock/folk songs. Lambswool is the band’s fourth release, coming on the heels of Worry (June, 2014), Harvest (February, 2013) and Last Best West (May, 2011).

Their sound is split between full band tunes with a rock sound and stripped down tracks with an acoustic touch. Faye says the response to the EP has been good and he attributes that to the mix on the disc.

“We tried to make it kind of a half and half, combining the more serious stuff with the up-tempo rock stuff that we do,” said Faye. “Those tracks seem get the most airplay and that, for me, is the most rewarding stuff to write. That’s when we get the band together and we work on a song together. It’s a lot more sonically and musically engaging but then the down-tempo acoustic stuff, there’s still a big market for it. I find that a lot of our fans really like that stuff, too.

“It just organically seemed to fit together so I think I’ve managed to appease both sides of the equation.”

Given the tone of the material on Lambswool, one might assume that Faye has decided to pack it in when it comes to touring. That, however, is not the case. As a musician, Faye understands he needs to play in front of live audiences but given his experiences from the road, he also understands that his touring schedule has to be one part of a balanced life.

He’s got slots confirmed at the Long Days Night Festival in Swift Current in June and the Regina Folk Festival in August. In addition, he’s also working on a full-length album. Faye was a recent recipient of a Rawlco 10K20 grant of $10,000 to record an album so he’s looking forward to getting into the studio with new material.

“I’ve got about eight to 10 songs in various forms. It’ll be more of a pop album but it still will be relatively rooted in the Prairies. The concept will be authentic and genuine to Saskatchewan.”

jdedekker@postmedia.com - Regina Leader Post - QC

I’m old enough to remember Nick Faye being a no-namer guitar player whose songs were the musical equivalent of burnt hair. I also remember Faye impressing some ears with an album about five years ago that hinted at some real growth. In 2016, Faye has been maturing as truly great country/folk singer and songwriter, and The Lambswool EP reflects this with earnest vocals, challenging chord progressions, honky tonk piano, and a few playful winks to the listener throughout. /AS - Ominocity

reviewed by Eleni Armenakis a2969048095_16

Regina’s Nick Faye and The Deputies aren’t in the habit of shying away from difficult conversations. Their third release, Worry, delved into mental illness and their latest EP—a full length album is expected this fall—takes an honest look at the struggle behind the glory of life on the road.

For the four-track album, the folk country quartet took advantage of the support from Creative Saskatchewan, SaskMusic and Rawlco Radio (that latter funding their upcoming album through their 10K20 project), pulling in several extra hands to piece together the shorter collection—and adding a little extra weight and muscle to share the burden.

Lambswool opens bleak, calling out the demands of the audience, the people left behind, and what always being “on” feels like. Between devastated croons and the agony coming through in the repetition of “Head in your hands,” lead Nick Faye admits, “And when you want me to be charismatic/ I’ll be charming and I’ll be humble.” Set over a classic country slow roll, the raw open sets up the confessional.

Homecoming “Kansas” feels worn out and heavy by the constant state of motion. Cold hotel halls contrast with Faye’s soaring call to home and the one waiting for him, the ultimate anchor of the song that can’t entirely “shake these ghosts.”

But midway through, “Wild Bones” finds a more upbeat tempo, and the vaguely melancholic lyrics are spirited away by jaunty notes and Faye getting the “wild back in [his] bones.” As a piano kicks in and chirps along the keys, there’s a sense of renewed life in the EP.

Lambswool closes with the rocking kind of hit the band likes to include to balance an album out. “Oh, I’m never going to be the one to give you up/ I’m never going to say it’s good enough,” makes for an odd romance—feeling like half a nod to love and another half to the road.

But that love/hate duality is at the core of this latest EP. The inescapable role touring plays and the unspoken toll it takes are eerily similar to those relationships you can’t give up, at least through the way Faye sees it. But as “Wild Bones” reveals, there’s a part of him that’s still hungry—and maybe all he’s asking for is, once again, just a little more honesty.

Top Track: “Head in Your Hands”

Rating: Proud Hoot (Really Good) - Grayowl Point

“Hey Man, do you want to go check out the Nick Fay CD release tomorrow night?”


Those words, spoken in 2014 by the immortal king of social media, Taron Cochrane, led me down a steep, fast path toward Nick Faye fandom. I was new to the Regina music scene at the time, trying to figure out the MusicReginaLive.ca thing and connect with all these artists I knew nothing about. Nick Faye opened my mind, and ears, to a whole new level of local musicianship. My focus switched from thinking about big name touring bands, to all of the amazing talent we have right here at home.

His songs are catchy, relaxing, exciting, meaningful, and fun. It is noteworthy that Nick seems to surround himself with some pretty amazing talent. Recognition on his previous recordings is given to contributors such as John Neher, Byron Chambers, Ian Cameron, Adam Ennis, Eden Rohatensky, and Carmelle Pretzlaw: All involved in amazing Regina bands. Nick’s Deputies really are a cast of local superstars.

The new Lambswool EP from Nick Faye and the Deputies is a collection of four extraordinary songs. They remain relatively true to the sound we know and love from Nick, though this effort feels more polished. Not to diminish the quality of the previous releases, rather noting the evolution and growth of the songwriting. Lambswool is an improvement which rings proud and confident.

The first track, Head in Your Hands, will be the first song I play outdoors this spring. I cannot wait to sit back in the sun on my deck, listen to that slide guitar twang freely and hear the harmonized vocals fill my yard.

Hearing Kansas while watching a recent snowfall, I fell deeply in touch with my thoughts. The effect was brilliant and calming. The self reflection was a much needed bonus. In contrast, I can’t wait to drive down the grid roads this summer with the windows down and Wild Bones turned up loud. The bluesy, jazzy vibe of this track will have me singing loud and wheel tapping right to the end. The thundering drums and flowing horns on Big Sunrise are a perfect close to this collection. The entire band sound is so full and bright.

This Friday night, at the Artesian, Nick Faye will run two sets, and in the middle the always amazing Bears In Hazenmore will take the stage. I heard in a recent interview with Jeff ‘Redbeard’ that members of Bears In Hazenmore will be joining Nick Faye and The Deputies on stage to add in some extra horn parts. This collaboration is not to be missed. The immense talent in these two bands will come together for some of the best live music you will ever hear.

Christopher Mercer is the founder of local music website MusicReginaLive.ca. - Runaway Pup

Last year, Nick Faye & the Deputies paid homage to Sheryl Crow with a video single named after the famed singer, and now they're ready to get their own name out there with a brand new EP.

Titled Lambswool, the new set of songs is due out on March 25. It hears the Regina-based folk-tinged rock'n'rollers exploring "the social consequences of mental and physical fatigue that touring musicians frequently experience."

Despite the trying touring lifestyle, Faye will be hitting the road for a string of solo acoustic dates in March and April to support the new material. Before you catch the fresh batch of music live, though, Exclaim! is giving you the exclusive first listen to Nick Faye & the Deputies' latest single "Wild Bones."

It's a dramatic, melodic folk-pop number that may be given a more stripped-down treatment at the upcoming shows — but you can hear it in its full band glory right now in the player below. Scroll past the list of gigs and hit play to give it a listen.

Tour dates:

02/10 Regina, SK - The Exchange $
03/04 Hamilton, ON - Homegrown Hamilton *
03/05 Utopia, ON - Utopia Hall *
03/08 Montreal, QC - Casa Del Popolo *
03/09 Vankleel Hill, ON - Blueberry Hill Bistro *
03/10 Ottawa, ON - Avant Garde Bar *
03/11 Toronto, ON - The Painted Lady *%
03/12 St. Catharines, ON - Mahtay Cafe *
03/24 Winnipeg, MB - Handsome Daughter ~
03/25 Regina, SK - The Artesian (EP release show) ^
03/29 Calgary, AB - Ironwood Stage and Grill ~
03/30 Lethbridge, AB - Attainable Records ~
03/31 Medicine Hat, AB - Twist ~
04/01 Twin Butte, AB - General Store ~
04/02 Edmonton, AB - Empress Ale House ~
04/08 Saskatoon, SK - The Undergound Cafe

$ with Elliott Brood
* with Colter Wall
~ with Eagle Lake Owls
^ with Bears in Hazenmore
% with Skye Wallace - Exclaim!

Nick Faye & The Deputies give “Sheryl Crow,” a highlight from their 2014 album Worry, a fun DIY music video treatment. Done in a vlog style, the easy sounds of “Sheryl Crow” are the soundtrack as we follow the band through parts of Saskatchewan having a bunch of fun bowling and testing out a remote control helicopter before settling down to a buffet meal. – Laura Stanley - GrayOwl Point

If you think there aren't enough bands comparing their sound to that of The Drew Carey Show, look no further: Nick Faye & the Deputies are here to fill that quota. The Saskatoon outfit are ready to bring their "dusty" Canadian folk-rock to the small screen with their debut music video, and Exclaim! has got the premiere.

"Sheryl Crow" is described by the band as a "slow burning alt-rock gem drenched in regret," though exuberant horn sections pick up the pace and keep the doom and gloom in check. As for the clip, it follows the band on a fun-filled weekend road trip through the prairie landscape that includes shenanigans at the local bowling alley, salad bars and some quality time spent in nature.

It was directed by Eric Hill, and you can scroll past the band's upcoming shows to give it a watch in the player below.

Tour dates:

08/27 Saskatoon, SK - Vangelis *
08/28 Regina, SK - The Exchange *
08/29 Winnipeg, MB - Wee Johnny's Pub *

* with Eagle Lake Owls and Future Forests - Exclaim!

Regina, Sask., has long been a hot spot for indie-rock greatness (think Library Voices, Rah Rah and, way back, Despistado). Now you can add Nick Faye and the Deputies to that list. "All the Way Around" is upbeat, acoustic-electric pop with flourishes of horns that harken back to classic Canadian bands like Sloan and Barenaked Ladies. - Grant Lawrence, CBC Music

December 27, 2014
(excerpt. Made two local "top 10" lists)

Taron Cochrane
Leader-Post freelance writer

7. Worry, Nick Faye the Deputies Prominent on social media and well known across the province, Nick Faye the Deputies continue to deliver honest, passionate music that everyone can relate to.

Christopher Tessmer
Leader-Post freelance writer

6. Worry, Nick Faye The Deputies Based in Regina, this local singer/songwriter doesn't get the attention he deserves. This thoughtful offering cements that injustice. - The Leader Post

"Review: Nick Faye and The Deputies"
By Katrina Pridgeon
November 27, 2014

Nick Faye and the Deputies, a Regina, Saskatchewan-born band, have just released a new album entitled “Worry.” The band states that the album, “explores the complexities that mental illnesses introduce to an individual attempting to lead a healthy and happy lifestyle.”

The gang includes Nicholas Faye on guitar and lead vocals, Byron Chambers on bass, Adam Ennis on drums, and Jonathon Neher on keyboard and trumpet.

Through their curious and interesting sound, and through their meaningful lyrics, the yearning for health and happiness in disorder is evident. An important topic to consider, as mental illness is often a subject that does not receive enough support or discussion, the songs on the “Worry” album are current and maintain a sense of gravitas.

The album “Worry” features, outside of the classic bass-drums-guitar-keyboard-vocals, a few ‘big band’ type instruments including the trumpet, saxophone, violin, and pedal steel. The inclusion of these diverse instruments builds an interesting, country-folk sound behind an indie, alt-rock exterior, giving their music great depth.

Nick Faye and the Deputies have currently produced two full-length albums, “Worry” and “The Last Best West.” The band also has an EP, “Harvest EP.”

Their website, nickfaye.bandcamp.com, seems to classify them as “Prairie-Shred-Metal,” although that sound seems to be more evident in their album “The Last Best West”— and still cannot be defined so simply. Their sound and lyrics are amass with complexities, keeping each song as interesting as the last without sounding too alike.

To check out their newest album, visit nickfaye.bandcamp.com. The band. can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, SoundCloud, and YouTube. - The Baron (University of New Brunswick - Saint John)

"Nick Faye's resonant sound"
By Olivia Loncar-Bartolini
October 3, 2014

A fresh perspective from Regina native and his band.

A good artist will often cope with the everyday struggles of life by channeling their experiences, feelings and thoughts into their music, and that’s exactly what singer-songwriter Nick Faye does.

Hailing from Regina, Sask. Faye and his band bring with them from the prairies a unique and refreshing indie-rock sound.

Fresh off the success of his latest album, Worry, which came out this June, Nick Faye and his band spent the whole summer performing.

The band consists of four members: Faye as the lead singer and guitarist, Byron Chambers on bass guitar, Adam Ennis as the drummer and Jonathon Neher on keyboard and trumpet. Together, they give a sound reminiscent of The Foo Fighters or The Barenaked Ladies.

Faye has been playing the guitar from a young age, but didn’t become passionate about making music until the age of 16.

“I started to go out to a summer camp in Saskatchewan, so when I was out there all of a sudden everyone was playing guitar around the campfire and I saw that and thought it would be a cool thing to do,” he said. “After that I started practicing more and I started writing more.”

But it wasn’t only those moments at summer camp that defined his music.

“I became more self-aware and dealt with more mental illnesses and things that kind of really affected my everyday life,” said Faye.

“I just found that this was a good outlet that I could communicate the themes and the tones that I was feeling.” In this album Faye explores some darker themes including the struggle of coping with depression.

Faye said the band is planning to take a little break before heading back into the recording studio.

“I’m on a bit of a holiday right now, I mean I’ve been working since we started recording this last album in December and it’s just been non-stop,” he said.

“From Newfoundland to Vancouver and anywhere in between we were touring all summer so I’m in Europe right now, taking a break and getting the creative juices flowing.”

After he recharges his creative batteries, Faye said he plans to continue putting out more music.

“I’ve been writing a few new songs and I might put something out next summer, we’ll see how it goes but for now I’m just enjoying my time,” he said. - The Queen's Journal (Queens University)

Five dollars: It’s the price of an ultra fancy drink at your favorite coffee shop. It’s also the meager price that Regina, Saskatchewan’s indie-folk band Nick Faye & The Deputies are charging for their newest release, Worry.

The downfall of the “traditional” music industry (ie: record sales) and subsequent rise of digital music services like iTunes and Rdio has provided music fans with nearly unlimited options for listening to their favourite artist. An unfortunate by-product of today’s music business model is that it is arguably harder than ever for artists looking to squeak out a living off making music.

Yet millions of people are willing to routinely shell out money for that fancy café drink that they will consume within a couple of hours but think twice about purchasing the music of an artist they enjoy which will remain with them forever.

For what it’s worth, Nick Faye – performing at Moncton’s Plan b Lounge next Thursday night – understands what it is to be involved in the music business in today’s day and age. He is as perplexed by the music business as any other independent musician but that doesn’t mean that he’s not enjoying himself.

“On one hand, the internet has made everything so readily accessible. You can launch a music career from your basement if you’re somewhat decent at home recording,” Nick says matter-of-factly. “But the downside to everybody being able to put out a record so easily is that it becomes that much harder to stand out from all of the other acts out there.

“People aren’t always keen to pay for content, either. I’m guilty of it too, though. There have been times where I will literally spend months listening to something for free before I pay for the music. I totally get that purchasing music is an investment. We are hopeful that people will see $5 as a reasonable amount of money to spend on new music.”

Quite frankly, Nick has bigger fish to fry than to concern himself with record sales and the state of the music business. Nowhere is that more evident than on his group’s latest release.

Throughout the seven songs featured on their newest record, the band tackles the delicate topic of mental illness. Through his lyrics, Nick explores the complexities that mental illness introduces in the day-to-day happenings of someone attempting to lead a happy and healthy life.

Nick acknowledges the topic is a rather heavy one and shares that the songs are based on some personal experiences intertwined with fiction in certain parts. topics heard in the songs on the record are based on and fiction.

“I believe that one of the biggest issues experienced by people suffering from mental illness is that they are not necessarily comfortable talking about it. I did my best to share my story and would love to encourage others to do the same. Everyone is different though and needs to find what works best for them.”

Although Nick does not go into specifics, he says that there are some very personal moments captured throughout Worry’s seven songs. And though he caused some concern among close friends and family after they heard Worry, he insists that all is fine in his world now.

“A lot of the songs stem from some aspect of personal experience with a healthy dose of fiction infused into every song. I am in a much better place now but there is still some vulnerability associated with letting people into that part of my world. I’ve had a lot of people reading into the songs, asking what is wrong and how I am doing when in fact I am fine now. It felt good to take a negative situation and, over the last two years, construct something from which I could grow as a person. By the time the record wraps up, it isn’t so much a happy ending as much as you’re simply happy it’s over. Life is not always fun but life does indeed go on. That is what is important to remember.” - The Moncton Free Press

Last time it was the pedal steel that stuck in my throat and gave me the chills; this time it’s the horns of “Muse” that makes Nick Faye and the Deputies‘ music move me. Their new release, Worry, examines the path to health and well-being for someone in the midst of mental illness.

The music, like the low-angled photo of a ceiling light fixture on the album cover, suggests that, respite and recovery are all within arm’s reach, even if we may need a little boost to get there. The fervent energy of songs like “Howlin’”, pared with direct lyrical content of a song like “All the Way Around” brilliantly mirrors the emotional complexity of life under the veil of depression, loss, and heartbreak. Worry avoids being a real downer of a record thanks to Faye’s sweetly angelic lilt; his is the voice of reason and reassurance that anchors these seven songs. His band of Deputies, Byron Chambers (bass and vocals), Adam Ennis (drums and vocals), and Jonathon Neher (keyboards, vocals, and the aforementioned stand out trumpet) are as dedicated as Faye to illuminating that light in the tunnel of darkness to help guide the way home to health and happiness.

Worry is equally informed by the sweeping prairies of the band’s native Saskatchewan. I imagine these songs carrying themselves on the wind across fields and farms to find their audience, or anyone in need of a kind, caring word.

Worry is available through Nick Faye and the Deputies’ Bandcamp store now. - Quick Before it Melts

Let’s hear it for songwriters that never stop looking for that light at the end of the tunnel.

A few weeks ago Regina’s latest alt-country (for lack of a better term; seriously, we should be able to do better than that) troubadours, Nick Faye and his band The Deputies, released their new album. He’s currently on tour out east. I had hoped to have this review up earlier to publicize more of the concert dates, but life is hard sometimes, you guys.

Anyway, Faye has been around a while but his previous record The Last Best West went completely unnoticed by me for a couple of years. When I heard it in 2013 I was rather impressed; there aren’t a lot of people in our city that I’ve heard playing his style of hybridized rock and country. The eight-song album was impressive; decidedly sing-along material was heavy throughout, even if it occasionally left something to be desired lyrically.

A three-song acoustic EP followed last year, offering a dour counterpoint to the upbeat tracks on The Last Best West. “Rockets” and the magnificent “Pincher Creek” put Faye front and centre, his voice and acoustic guitar riding out the former while some gorgeous harmonies beef up the latter.

But that teaser release was a bit of a misdirect. Faye and the band have turned up the distortion and returned to the more rockist sound on Worry. To hear Faye explain it, it’s a conscious choice to off-set the weightiness of the lyrics. He told the Leader Post recently that the songs put together for this new release represent a largely-autobiographical tale of a bad period in which his anxiety and depression got the better of him.

Catchy title track “Sheryl Crow” is the catalyst. While it really has nothing to do with the famed singer (aside from a line referencing one of her biggest hits and a vague sound-alikeness in the guitars), it is a dynamic opening track, giving the full band a chance to establish their footing. The electric guitar isn’t a centrepiece for the most part, allowing the organ to drive a lot of the melody. Bassist Byron Chambers also features, showing off some dextrous runs.

“Muse” amplifies the album, literally; the guitars are all fuzzed-out here, even though there’s still plenty of room to breathe in the mix. When the horns fill that empty space in the center channels, however, it becomes clear the group is going all-out on their arrangements. The propulsive, driving arrangement eases off in the bridge, some plaintive violin underlining Faye’s yearning. “I want to be your muse,” he admits, almost matter-of-factly, “I want to be your health, I want to be your love.”

That sentiment leads into the drawn-out “Howlin’,” a song that pushes the six minute mark and is by far the longest on Worry. Here, Faye admits to succumbing to temptation, his falsetto assertion, “I’m howlin’ out at the moon/”I couldn’t get you out of my head,” coming across a little more delicate than it probably could. The musical accompaniment reinforces the notion that these tales of longing and depression are being tempered by purposefully aggressively melodic and upbeat arrangements: the extended bridge is patient, slowly ratcheting up the energy until two different vocal parts are layered into a powerful finish. The six minutes has passed before you even know it.

One of the album’s absolute highlights comes with “All The Way Around,” which crackles from start to finish. Faye’s singing is his strongest and most assured on this track, his performance wrapped snugly around a laid-back classic-pop tune. The keyboard and trumpet/sax parts are woven delicately into the mix, with Faye’s repetitious, strident acoustic guitar and the busy drumming of Adam Ennis providing a solid bedrock on which to build. The vaguely-throwback sound masks perhaps the darkest lyrics yet: “You always told me that the world was gonna end; well now I’m waiting for it, hoping for it. Your scent is lingering: it’s holed up in my room.”

The peak of the record hits with “Ode,” a lean three minute rocker with some fantastic lyrical imagery. It brings the varied dynamism of Rural Alberta Advantage quite starkly to mind, mostly in the rhythmically tight and circular drum patterns and Faye’s emotive chorus performance, which features ethereal backing vocals from Eden Rohatensky. Both are perfectly delivered, carried to a dark, foreboding denouement that sees the instruments diminish while Faye laments, “Our lives are oceans apart.”

The band pares things back for the closing track, “St. Victor,” which Faye described in an interview with the great Alex MacPherson in Verb Magazine as a sort of victory lap. A trip the group made to the miniscule Saskatchewan hamlet a ways south of Moose Jaw (known more for the stone carvings found in a nearby provincial park than anything else) was evidently the “last piece of the puzzle” for Faye, providing the final inspiration for the record and a sense of confidence and closure in the work that they had done. It’s the most country-ish song on the album, thanks to some note-perfect violin and pedal steel guitar. It’s also the closest thing to uplifting here, for the most part; Faye declares victory, assuring the partner he’s been chasing throughout the record that, “I’ll never let you let me down.”

“When we depart,” he adds, “we’ll watch the night skies, sleep under hillsides, and wake another day: a fresh new start, stripped of our burdens, free from the weight of love. We’ll find another way.” I can practically see the sun peeking over the horizon.

This record, brief though it may be, is extremely laudable for a number of reasons. Faye and The Deputies’ mature and captivating songwriting is chief among them, obviously, but even having the balls to write about a topic like mental health is a big move. Despite some massive efforts the last few years to try and normalize the dialogue around mental health, there is still a vastly huge chunk of people for whom any discussion about those kind of issues is verboten. Faye’s willingness to put himself out there is brave; having a crack band to back him up in the effort probably helps, but he should be applauded for his willingness to go under the microscope. - Sound Salvation Society

reviewed by Laura Stanley a2096061907_2

I’m not quite sure what, as the band defines themselves on Bandcamp, “Prairie-Shred-Metal” consist of but if it sounds anything like the Saskatchewan collective Nick Faye & The Deputies, it might catch on. A blend of rock and a little bit of country, Nick Faye & The Deputies’ third release has depth to it.

Featuring the spackle texture of the ceiling and the whiteness of the lightbulb, Worry’s album cover says a lot about their latest release. The band writes about Worry: “the album explores the complexities that mental illnesses introduce to an individual attempting to lead a healthy and happy lifestyle.” On days when it is just too hard to get out of bed, that glowing orb above your bed is sometimes the only thing that you can muster staring at. Most prominently expressed through the record’s lyrics, Faye and his band capture these messy feelings that come with heartbreak and loss and the subsequent breakdown of one’s mental health.

Despite all of this, “Sheryl Crow” starts Worry off on a charming note. Although the lyrics ultimately fall under the above album description, the lyric, “I guess I mess up the line ‘you were my favourite mistake’” adds some lightless to a sullen tune.

“All The Way Around” has some of the clearest expressions of the album’s theme of the struggle with mental health issues. The song’s opening lines read of despair, “you always told me that the world was gonna end. Well now I’m waiting for it, hoping for it.” In contrast to these darker lyrics, “All The Way Round” is quite upbeat and melodious particularly during its collectively sung chorus and its slight horn addition.

Beginning very softly with the faint sound of a violin in the background, the final song “St. Victor” is the most folk-country of the bunch. The additional pedal steel and acoustic rooted sound is a dead giveaway for that conclusion but within the lyrics are some of Faye’s most descriptive and introspective from the record for a melancholy story that’s a suitable partner for the genre.

Mark Worry down as another promising addition to this Prairie-proud band’s collection.

Reminder: your mental health is just as important as your physical health. For more information and where to find help please visit the Canadian Mental Health Association. Hoots + love.

Top Tracks: “Sheryl Crow,” “St. Victor”

Rating: Strong Hoot (Good) - Gray Owl Point

REGINA — Local singer/songwriter Nick Faye prepared for his upcoming CD release and subsequent tour while vacationing in Central America with his girlfriend Ariel.

Travelling for three months and literally having finished recording the album mere days before their departure at the end of January, Faye knew he would have to take advantage of intermittent Internet availability to get work done while he was away.

“It wasn’t really a comfortable vacation but more of an adventure,” he clarifies. “It was still a lot of work though because I was working on the album and trying to book tour dates the whole time. It’s going to be great when everything is released and everything is done.

“I felt bad for Ariel because I’d probably spend about one or two hours on email every single day and she be waiting asking if we could leave yet. I’d always be begging for two more minutes trying to get stuff finished.”

“I felt so bad,” he reiterates. “There would be days where instead of being bored and waiting around for me she’d head off for a walk on her own. I would say she was moderately close to killing me at times but she was a really good sport about it. She knows how important this is to me, though I would force myself to take weekends off from the computer. It wasn’t like I was going to get much done with booking on the weekends so that was solely our time.”

Making stops in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Belize and Mexico, the affable musician organized his upcoming Canadian tour that’s he’s unofficially titled The Year of the Dirtbag as he’s using the year to travel and play music after graduating from the Paul J. Hill School of Business at the University of Regina.

Joined by his band, The Deputies — comprised of Adam Ennis, Byron Chambers, and Jon Neher — Faye is excited to move on from all of the preparation and finally release his latest album Worry on Saturday.

Much like his tremendous previous works, The Last Best West and Harvest, Worry utilizes the young troubadour’s remarkable songwriting to tell the story of an individual having a mental breakdown as the album progresses.

“The Last Best West was more of a soundtrack to Qu’Appelle Valley and I think it accomplished that,” Faye explains. “Harvest was more of a souvenir and a tip of the hat to my dad as he retired from farming and I think I accomplished that, too. This album definitely represents a weird, stressful, transformative period of my life. I had known that I suffered from anxiety and depression before but it relapsed and came back really strong when I was going through a period a couple years ago.”

“The album is more introspective than my past albums and the lyrics are more anxious but I think it avoids being really sappy and the songs are written in a way that they’re more upbeat than downtrodden and depressed. I think the arrangements are done in such a way that the songs are interesting. It’s definitely the most personal work I’ve done as the songs came out naturally. Part of the album is fact but a lot of it is still fiction so the lines blur over what’s fact and what’s fiction. It’s difficult to open yourself up but there’s enough fiction in it that it’s a completely different story and that helps me to share.” - Regina Leader Post

Nick Faye, a Regina indie folk musician, has launched a new single entitled “Ode” from Worry, his forthcoming full-length album as Nick Faye & The Deputies.

Due to be released on June 3, Worry explores the complexities that mental illnesses pose to an individual attempting to lead a healthy and happy lifestyle, says Faye.

“It’s probably the most personal album to date. I think it’s a very anxious sounding record, without being overly doom and gloom (I think due to the fast/upbeat nature of the songs),” he explains.

Enlisting the help of several other Regina musicians to play on Worry, including Eden Rohatensky, Paul Gutheil, Carmelle Pretzlaw and Ian Cameron, “Ode” is an earnest, folk-oriented pop song that showcases Faye’s abilities as a storyteller along with a sense of dramatic melody.

“A lot of the songs started out as more of a true story, but as many musicians do, I tend to inject them with a healthy dose of fiction to make them sound a little cooler and make for a better story. I think that there’s a definite story arc through the album, and it just kind of naturally fell into place.”

Also, be sure to follow Faye on Twitter where he frequently spars with news radio smoothie John Gormley with hilarious results.

Check out Nick Faye and Danny Olliver on tour:

May 30 – Regina, SK – The Exchange w/ Danny Olliver CD Release w/ Nick Faye, Poor Nameless Boy
May 31 – Regina, SK – Italian Club w/ Nick Faye & The Deputies CD Release w/ Slim City Pickers, Pandacorn, Eden & Escrow
June 10 – Windsor, ON – Phog Lounge w/ Sasha Appler
June 12 – St Catherines, ON – Mahtay Cafe (Beaus Beer Sampler)
June 13 – Hamilton, ON – Homegrown Hamilton w/ Eagle Lake Owls
June 14 – Utopia, ON –Utopia Community Hall
June 19- Peterborough, ON – The Spill w/ Caitlin Currie
June 21 – Kemptville, ON – The Branch Restaurant
June 22 – St Lazare, QC – House Show
June 23 – Montreal, QC – TBA
June 24 – Fredericton, NB –Wilsers Room
June 26 – Moncton, NB – Plan B
June 27 – Rothesay, NB –The Barrels Head
June 29 – Charlottetown, PEI – Baba’s Lounge w/ Jordan Cameron
July 1 – St John’s, NL – The Levee w/ Len O’Neill
July 2 – St John’s, NL – Distortion w/ Sam Burke
July 4 – St John’s, NL – The Bull and Barrel
July 5 – Placentia, NL- The Three Sisters
July 8 – Stephensville, NL – Clancy’s Pub
July 9 – Corner Brook, NL – White Horse Lounge
July 15 – Montreal, QC – Neighbourhood on the Move
July 17 – Ottawa, ON – Lunenburg Pub & Grill
July 18 – Toronto, ON – The Dakota Tavern
July 19 – Guelph, ON – Cornerstone
July 23 – Winnipeg, MB – Sam’s Place
July 25 – Bengough, SK – Gateway Festival
July 26 – Bengough, SK – Gateway Festival

- Featured photo via Nick Faye – credit: Christina Bourne - Ominocity

This guy was hilarious and extremely musically talented. Hailing from Regina, his band was too broke to join him on his trip to Toronto for North By but he came and held the humble audience in the palm of his hand while he sang. I have a soft spot for this truly beautiful venue. Plus the lack of cell reception down there forces me to really pay attention (or y’know drink if I’m bored). No drinks necessary for me to enjoy Nick Faye. John Nayer joined him on stage after the first couple songs, and the banter they shared was incredibly endearing as well as humorous. Folk/country is hard for me to get into, I really have to be in the proper mind-set, but something about the way Faye confidently and intricately finger picked definitely caught my attention. - The Take Media

I can’t remember the last time a pedal steel moved me to tears, but I got all weepy eyed and sentimental before the vocals even started on “Rockets”, the first track on Nick Faye and The Deputies‘ Harvest EP. The middle of June is a strange time to be drawn to the wind-swept and bitter cool sounds of a band from Regina, by heartbreak knows no season. Faye wrote these songs while working away his broken heart on his family farm near Kelliher, SK last summer, and he and his band traveled back there in October to lay the sings down. Performing with Faye are Byron Chambers (bass, vocals), Jon Neher (keyboards, accordion, vocals) and Ian Cameron (the man behind the pedal steel on “Rockets”).

The Harvest EP is available as a name-your-price download from Bandcamp, as is Faye’s first full length,The Last Best West, released in 2011. - Quick Before it Melts

By ANDREW MATTE, The StarPhoenix

Putting life into perspective is a theme that runs throughout Nick Faye’s life these days.He saw his family walk away from their farm. He’s on the final stretch toward earning a university degree. And he’s planning to execute a lifelong plan to record a full-length album, buy a van and tour across the country to play his music.

“I want to hit the road with my band and just enjoy it. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years but I haven’t been able to do it because I’ve been in school,” says Faye, 23.

This year of reflection and new beginnings is the backdrop of Harvest EP, a three-song tribute to the Faye family farm. Published under the name Nick Faye and the Deputies, the songs are moody acoustic numbers in the Neil Young vein written to celebrate his family and the changing landscape of Saskatchewan farming.

Faye, who’s always big into themes and reflecting on his own stories, grew up humming melodies while lending a hand at his father’s grain farm near Kelliher. He has a different take on farming and the role of the rural family than he did as a youth when he spent long days helping with chores and missing out on activities with school chums in the city.

“It really is surreal. When I was a kid, I hated going out there because I missed sleepovers and I’d miss birthday parties or miss hanging out in the city with my friends. But I got to hang out with my grandparents and my dad and I got an experience that not a lot of people in the city get,” says Faye, whose father retired from farming in the fall.

“(Harvest EP) was meant to be a souvenir of how rural Saskatchewan in changing. It’s no longer about small, family-owned farms. It’s all owned by big companies. And there are no small towns anymore unless you’re near a potash mine or some other industrial area.”

Faye grew up with an unexplained desire to create and seek words to accompany the melodies that came to him easily. Not from a musical family — though his grandfather played the accordion and performed occasionally at the Italian club — he pleaded with his parents to buy him a guitar.

When they relented, he enjoyed learning the notes but his passion for stories and songs didn’t take off until he was a teenager.

“It was just the coolest-looking instrument. I was so focused on getting that guitar, but eventually they bought me one … but for me, it’s really about the need to create. It became an everyday part of my life. It’s tough to stop once you start.”

Faye’s appreciation and affinity for playing music slowly evolved as he learned to record on his own using a computer and microphone. He’d later upload the content to MySpace to share with friends.

Faye was pleased with the results of his work but also took solace in the process of making something from nothing.

“If I am sweeping my dad’s grain bin at my dad’s farm, I would be making up songs in my head. That sort of thing was always a part of me. And if I didn’t get it out, it would drive me nuts. So getting it out became a routine and therapeutic.”

Influenced by bands like the Barenaked Ladies and Foo Fighters, he continued to study business administration and marketing at the University of Regina while experimenting in different styles of music and learning a little about the music business.

“In high school, I was into hardcore and metal. And I was a screaming vocalist for a hardcore band. That was a phase I went through. But that sparked my love for live music because so many people at those sorts of shows have so much energy and passion for the music,” says Faye.

He learned that any sort of legitimate success in music was unlikely because he was a full-time student.

“The lifestyle of a successful musician is having to tour. And that’s not conductive to have kids or having a mortgage and that kind of thing.”

That’s why this year is important because he’s unencumbered by his schooling. Even though making a new album and touring isn’t about seeking fame, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming a little.

“Mostly, touring will be for my own personal desires. But, you never know,” he says. “I don’t think it will spawn anything full time. If it does, then great.”

Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/Harvesting+love+music/8354935/story.html#ixzz2UhiHhOSO
- Regina Leader Post - QC

Agrarian influence is steeped into Faye’s Harvest EP

Back in February of 2013, Nick Faye and the Deputies released a three song EP entitled Harvest.

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Hailing from Regina, the songs were reportedly written by Faye while he was working as a farmhand at his family farm near Kelliher, Saskatchewan, and the agrarian influence is steeped through and through this EP.

Taking a cue from its namesake, Harvest immediately conjures rambling folk tales that stroll through open pastures along with a banjo’s pluck. Combining rough-hewn prairie instrumentation, Faye’s vocals often take the front seat on this one.

Ominocity caught up with Faye for a quick chat about living the family farm dream and minivans.

Ominocity: What was influencing your songwriting on the Harvest EP?

Nick Faye: We recorded our EP out at our family farm last October. It was intended to be a souvenir of my father retiring from farming. He grew up on and continued our family farm in the Kelliher/Foam Lake region. I spent a lot of my childhood summers helping him cut grass, clean out granaries, picking raspberries, weeding the garden and hauling grain with my Grandpa and Dad during harvest. He recently sold all of his equipment and is selling our land to relatives that farm nearby. Recording it out at the farm in the midst of my father’s last harvest was kind of like a tribute to the decades of hard work by my family and the slowly changing landscape of the Prairies.

Song wise, I wrote two of them while I was helping my Dad last May. We decided to skip percussion and keep them real stripped down and simple just for the sake of time (we hammered them out in about a 12 hour period). We really just tried to capture the ambiance and nostalgia that we got from the old creaky farmhouse.

OM: Any shows coming up? More recordings? Anything else fun?

NF: We just finished a long string of shows in the Regina area with our EP release, Coldest Night of The Year’s release, the Saskatchewan Sampler, and a few shows at JunoFest so we’re kind of laying low for a bit. We’re planning on doing some demoing and planning and polish up the songs that we plan on putting on the full length when we hit the studio sometime this summer. I just bought a minivan, so hopefully we can do a few weekend mini-tours and make it up to Saskatoon in September or October. - Ominocity

Nick Faye and the Deputies release the stripped-down Harvest EP

Paul Bogdan
A&C Editor

It’s impossible to rule out the prairie surroundings from the causality of Saskatchewan’s arts culture. Even if you’re completely fed up with all of the municipal and provincial political bullshit that pushes you to your wits’ end, sometimes all it takes is a drive down a prairie highway to fall back in love with this province.

Likewise, countless musicians from this province have and continue to write about Saskatchewan, and following in this vein is Nick Faye and the Deputies with their newest release, the Harvest EP, which comes out Feb. 28.

However, if the band’s previous release, The Last Best West, was a record to blast in your car as you drive with the windows down on a hot July afternoon, the Harvest EP is the antithesis to that. The Harvest EP replaces songs to nod your head and stumble around to in a dimly lit bar like “Giulianova” and “They Say Good Things…” with stripped-down and skeletal tracks, mirroring the now long-forgotten warmth of the prairie summer.

While not an overly conscious departure from Faye and the Deputies’ last record, writing in the solitude of rural Saskatchewan definitely affected the songs on the new release.

“I think just from being at my farm, just having an acoustic guitar when I worked at a summer camp this past year, the songs just went naturally back to my first few EPs where it’s just acoustic. I still have been writing full band songs, but the songs that I wanted to do for this EP … they were all stripped down, semi-acoustic without percussion,” said Faye.

Given the time Faye spent helping his dad during his final harvest before retirement at their family’s farm near Kelliher, SK, it makes sense that the band chose to record the EP there. Faye said it was a sort of “souvenir” of the farm, harvesting, and rural Saskatchewan.

“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. You hear of artists going out to churches or cottages, and for me there’s such a personal connection to the farm. It just made sense, seeing as how that’s where a lot of the songs were written,” said Faye.

“I think just from being at my farm, just having an acoustic guitar when I worked at a summer camp this past year, the songs just went naturally back to my first few EPs where it’s just acoustic. I still have been writing full band songs, but the songs that I wanted to do for this EP … they were all stripped down, semi-acoustic without percussion.” – Nick Faye

The most noticeable difference Faye said between recording on the farm as opposed to the city was the “lack of distractions.”

“There are no computers to check your email, no one’s texting you asking you to go to the bar. It was just the four of us hanging out, making music, and focusing completely on the music,” said Faye.

The Harvest EP may be short with only three songs, but it’s the first new release from the band since 2010, and they wanted “something to let people know we’re still here,” said Faye. “It’s something to build some buzz for the full-length.”

While the Harvest EP is noticeably more stripped down than The Last Best West, the currently in-the-works full-length that the band hopes to be recording come summertime will be a move back to “alternative rock whatever.”

“We have songs written. We’re just in the process of writing grants and all that fun stuff, trying to scrape together some money to buy a van and tour,” said Faye.

However, the yet-untitled full-length will be a move away from songs about the prairie surroundings and will feature “darker undertones whereas The Last Best West was a soundtrack to cruise around the Qu’Appelle Valley to,” said Faye.

Until the summer though, fans will have to tie themselves over with the Harvest EP, which can be found at nickfaye.bandcamp.com - The Carillon (University of Regina)

Here is a new track out of the Canadian prairies from Nick Faye & The Deputies. Nick tells us a story, with smooth vocals throughout and the Deputies create the perfect ambience to back up his vocals. It’s the sort of track that makes you stop, sit, and just listen. This one is off their Harvest EP, which is out later this month. Nick and his Deputies traditionally have more of a rock sound, so look out for that. By Jon Herriot
- blahblahblahscience

The blog being centred in Toronto, we often get huge glimpses into what’s happening in our own local scene, but can never quite grasp in the same way what’s happening east and west of us. The west in particular is a little more mysterious to us, and so it’s always nice to hear what’s happening there every once in a while.

After releasing the excellent Last Best West LP in 2011, Regina, Sask.’s Nick Faye and the Deputies are soon to be releasing their Harvest EP, the first track being the melodic “Eleanor.” The EP was written as Faye worked as a farmhand at his family farm, and will be released on February 28 alongside a documentary that shows how Saskatchewan has been changing over the years.

“Eleanor” is a charming, slow-burning song supported by just a few simple instruments. Most notable is the guitar, but later, during the song’s musical interlude, there is a hint of banjo and some accordion (as a side note, it’s amazing how nostalgic an accordion can make a song sound).

Stream “Eleanor” below, and check out Nick Faye’s Bandcamp page soon to hear the new EP. - GrayOwl Point

Maybe it’s because I’m sitting in bed typing this while sipping on lemon tea with honey while nursing a cold, but something about Nick Faye and The Deputies is hitting the spot. The band from Regina, Saskatchewan has the new Harvest EP coming out on Feb. 28. The first track from that EP, “Eleanor” is streaming on Soundcloud. The track shows the quieter side of Nick Faye and the Deputies, focusing on some slow electric strums and vocals eventually building up with some extra guitars, keys and accordion. The lyrics are brutally heartfelt and heartbreaking, spinning a tale of lost love. - The Broken Speaker

We admit the following album by local troubadour Nick Faye isn't a new album, though it is quite possibly one of the Top 10 albums ever produced by an act to come out of the Queen City, and it's one of our collective faves.

The Last Best West is 8 songs of musical mastery that leaves listeners wanting more. Written in the summer and fall of 2010, the album was recorded and released in May 2011. While Faye has toured in support of the album, he's still largely unknown outside of a growing legion of fans who ensure they attend every show possible.

Finishing a Business degree at the University of Regina, Nick Faye is undoubtedly an artist to watch as he continues to work towards his next album and a heftier touring schedule upon his graduation.

Enjoy the streaming of his music below: - City Slicker Magazine

March 22, 2012 – By Mike Ostrov for Ninebullets.net
NICK FAYE & THE DEPUTIES—THE LAST BEST WEST

Nick Faye & the Deputies are a rock band from the big middle part of Canada where they film all the movies supposed to be set in the big middle part of America. Where they wait until the sun starts to rust the sky, ignite the wheat fields, tell the actors to put on their rugged faces, and start shooting. In those terms, The Last Best West sounds like a soundtrack to Days of Heaven done by Built to Spill.
The Deputies’ method welds looping guitar hook to dirgeful chorus, building the song into a familiar frenzy. It’s a familiarity like the closest thirty miles of state road—it won’t take you anywhere you haven’t been, but it’ll take you. If you don’t have a film crew at your disposal to make your personal crises look biblical, The Last Best West will serve you memorably as you sort it out on a less-lonely drive through the magic hour.
- Ninebullets.net

Cory Hope, Arts and Entertainment Editor O

In the unlikely event that Buffalo Tom and Dinosaur Jr. were to have a love child, the resulting offspring would undoubtedly sound like Nick Faye.

Of course, Nick Faye and the Deputies have managed to pull off that particular sound even without that fictitious genetic makeup, or, in the case of Nick himself, ever having heard of Buffalo Tom.

Hailing from Regina, Saskatchewan, Nick Faye and The Deputies released their most critically acclaimed album so far, The Last Best West, in May 2011.

The Last Best West is “an album you come back to,” according to Nick.

While I thought this was an odd statement for an artist to make about his own album, it turns out he’s right.

The first time I heard this CD, I enjoyed it and put it away for a short time.

Then, when it came back out to the top of the pile, it was played again.

Within another day it was on my iPod.

It’s the kind of CD in which the enjoyment of listening to it builds, rather than peaking right away.

It’s the kind of music you’ll listen to longer.

Perhaps the lag time in enjoying this album stems from the opening track. While the first track of many CDs is selected to set the mood of the album, the opening track on this one, Housing, seems out of place.
Housing is a slower track, which I think would have been better placed at the end of the CD where it could have served as an outro.

While it isn’t necessarily a bad song, it’s not representative of the rest of the album, and might dissuade potential listeners from continuing to listen to it.

But I won’t dwell on the placement of one song.

A simple change of track numbers on my playlist can fix that in seconds, and the rest of the album more than makes up for this one minor detail.

When asked about the life as a musician on the Prairies, Nick was enthusiastic about the music scene in the area.

With many friends in local bands, he collects their talents in the recording studio in an effort to “make recording fun.”

Nick tries to balance the life of student and musician, although he admits that being in university takes its toll on the amount of time and effort he can put into touring and promoting his album.

“Touring, even solo, takes its toll financially and physically,” he said.

The desire to hit the road and play shows while incurring a financial toll is an indication of musicians playing for the love of playing, and it provides an authentic feel to the music.

With songs about driving down the prairie roads with the windows rolled down, much of Nick Faye’s music is entirely relatable to anyone who has ever been sitting in a classroom, looking out the window and dreaming of simple pleasures.

Or (obviously) those driving down the road with their windows down. - The Omega (Thompson Rivers University)

Nick Faye’s album takes listeners away
Amy Szybalski
Staff Writer

I didn’t know what to expect when I put an unknown CD by an unknown artist into my stereo for the first time. I didn’t know if it was going to be senseless noise, cheesy ballads, or music that I could really sink my teeth into.

Knowing almost nothing about what I was about to subject my ears to was a bit terrifying. Other than knowing that Nick Faye was from Regina, and that the album came out last May, there wasn’t much for me to go on.

Faye describes his album as a “collection of windswept thoughts and Prairie contemplations by Nick Faye and the Deputies. Written by Nick Faye over the summer and fall of 2010, the songs revisit vivid memories of small towns and family farms, lost romances, and carefree summers spent along the sun soaked Qu’Appelle Valley.”

None of that told me if I was about to open my mind up to music of a genre that I enjoy. All songs revisit an old memory, but delivery can be so varied that the story may not speak to the listener at all.

Despite my trepidations, The Last Best West definitely was a pleasant surprise and a welcome discovery to add to my already huge music library. With the first dreamy notes of “Housing,” Faye had me at hello.

But my interest in the album only grew as I listened to it. That first track builds from simple rhythmic notes to a complex cascade of sound that is the climax of the song, pulling in majestic trumpet lines that break over the words.

That song marked the beginning of a journey. I could picture driving through Saskatchewan, I could feel the wind blow in my open window, and I wanted to continue the journey.

The second track, “Giulianova,” is a great pop-rock song with driving drums, reminiscent of a train’s steady rhythm, clean guitar lines and vocals that are both clear and smooth.

The album only seems to get better as you listen and the songs fit together perfectly, taking you on that journey that Faye had planned with the writing of this album. I’m on my fourth listening of the album today, and I think I could go on listening forever. - The Argus (Lakehead University)

Nick Faye is a newcomer to the Canadian music scene, hailing from the dusty metropolis of Regina, Saskatchewan. He recently released his first full-length album The Last Best West. Even though he’s from “out West” his music is filled with a familiar East Coast sound. His songs revisit memories of small towns and family farms- themes we in Sackville can appreciate.

Faye is a notably skilled musician with an endearing and gravely voice, however most of his music is not particularly unique. Charged with male/female vocals and repeating guitar riffs, Nick Faye’s music lacks innovation, and offers nothing we haven’t heard before from other indie-folk musicians. That being said, his tunes are catchy and I found myself tapping my feet and humming along by the third track, entitled “Lakeland.” Nick Faye’s potential is evident, and his first album is an indication of great things ahead. If you like bands like Matt Mays and El Torpedo, make sure you check out The Last Best West, and you may just discover something worth listening to.

-Julia McMillan - The Argosy (Mount Allison University)

(October 6, 2011)
Nick Faye and the Deputies
Last Best West
Urban Planning Records

The Last Best West is a really nice album. So nice, in fact, that it is in danger of being swept up in the sea of other “nice” music that has come out of Regina recently, like the recent release from Regina-darlings Library Voices. But the Library Voices are becoming tiresome, and Regina needs a new music wunderkind to alleviate our indie music blues. Nick Faye may be that wunderkind, his album a sea of inspiring, uplifting, and ultimately contemplative sounds about the prairies. It finds its niche in the sounds of other Regina artists, but marks itself as distinctive from the abundance of urban intellectual indie music with this decidedly rural-focused album. The album is in danger of sounding like too much of the same thing, with “Housing” reminiscent of early Arcade Fire tunes, and “Giulianova” sounding oddly inspired by fellow Regina artist Rah Rah, but Nick Faye manages to forge his own space in the often crowded space of Canadian indie music.

Jonathan Petrychyn
A&C Editor - The Carillon (University of Regina)

Nick Faye and The Deputies

The Last Best West

Urban Planning Records

3/5

LIKELY UNKNOWN TO most of Ottawa, Nick Faye and The Deputies are a pop-rock band hailing from Regina, Sask. Bringing us sounds from the prairies in The Last Best West, the album is a testament to summers spent in the Qu’Appelle Valley of southern Saskatchewan. Themes about love and the love of a small town in the midwest crop up throughout the album.

Even though the content speaks about farm life, this album should by no means be considered country music. Proclaiming themselves as the rock/pop/folk genre, Nick Faye and The Deputies have a sound that appeals to an eclectic audience.

Some tracks like “Giulanova” and “Lakeland” have mainstream potential with fast-paced beats and lyrics that you can sing to. Nick Faye, writing all of the songs on the album, should be commended for his work. His lyrics and strong vocals make songs catchy, fun, and often danceable. Inspired by the midwest, this release is well suited for a country boy or girl, but it is also filled with universal themes even a city person can take something from.

—Colin Sutherland - The Fulcrum (University of Ottawa)

(October 20, 2011)
by Cory McCrindle

I have several pictures of the Qu’Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan taken on a trip across the Prairies a few years ago. They were all shot from a car window as we buzzed down the highway toward Alberta. And as much as they are nice to look at and remind me of my wonderful trip, I am always disappointed that I was never able to capture the true beauty of the valley. The landscape had so much dimension and depth, colour and shading, life and lustre…most of which was lost in the translation from what was seen by my naked eyes to a flat 4 X 6 photo. But I am not alone. Many have tried to “capture” the feel of the Prairies. Many have failed. Those who have succeeded are rightly lauded as true artists.

Nick Faye & The Deputies took on the daunting task with the album “The Last Best West,” released this past May. It’s an eight song offering written by Faye and the band, and while there are varying textures here, this is mostly a rock flavoured album. According to the notes you’ll find attached to the digital album on the group’s Bandcamp site, the songs are meant to conjure up “vivid memories of small towns and family farms, lost romances and carefree summers spent along the sun soaked Qu’Appelle Valley.” Does the album hit the mark? Listen to it yourself and find out.

One of the greatest ironies about this particular genre of Canadian music is that some of the best tunes about the Prairies were written by artists who do not live there. I’ll give you a few examples. When I think of Saskatchewan, the songs that spring to mind are “Running Back to Saskatoon” by The Guess Who, “Not a Lot Going On,” the theme song for the T.V. show Corner Gas, “Saskatchewan” by Rheostatics, and any number of songs by Gary Fjellgaard, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell. Only Fjellgaard and Mitchell grew up there, although Mitchell was actually born in Alberta. What that tells me is that you don’t necessarily have to have your roots firmly planted in Prairie soil to be touched by the land and its people. That said, besides the Roughriders and places named after parts of a moose, Saskatchewan is also known for having some great song writers.

The first song on the album is called “Housing,” which starts out sparse and simplistic, yet builds to a satisfying plateau. Faye & The Deputies are trying to evoke a mood here and they succeed at that. It is a shorter number, but helps lay the groundwork for the rest of the tunes herein. The inclusion of trumpet (played, we’re told, by Emily Kohlert) is a nice touch here. While this is a collaborative effort, she and drummer Adam Ennis really help propel this song in my opinion.

“Giulianova” is the next track. It can also be found (albeit in a less-polished, more acoustic form) on Nick Faye’s EP “The Anxious Days” which came out about a year before this album. Both versions of this song are worth the listen. The album really starts to hit its stride at this point. There’s a certain sense of urgency to the number, which is somewhat reminiscent of the kind of song fellow Saskatchewanians The Northern Pikes might have created in their heyday.

The third track, “Lakeland,” raises the bar further. Faye does some highly commendable things on this song. For one, he throws away the rule book which has led other writers to some bad songs and worse poetry. He doesn’t try to come up with rhymes, but rather lets his words take us where they will to help the narrative progress. I give him full marks for his efforts. The fact that this is also a pretty catchy tune certainly helps. If there’s one minor criticism here, it’s that the song left me wanting more. It could easily have been expanded without taking away any of its edge.

“They Say Good Things…” is strong musically, but a little weak lyrically. That perception may be because it comes after a song where the words seem to have a lot of thought behind them. In this one, the words seem to be a bit of an afterthought. “Good Things” still functions well as an angst-tinged anthem, so there’s no reason why it shouldn’t stay on the band’s playlist for quite some time. Every band that hopes to build a following, especially by playing the bar circuit, has to have a song like this in its arsenal.

The next track is called “January,” and is the band’s heaviest offering on this collection. The pulsing drums set the stage for Faye’s tale of lust and shadows. He has us in his grip here, and he’s not letting go until we are wrung out from the experience. It is a strong effort, and in my opinion the song on this album that would translate best to the rock radio format. At this stage of the game, “January” is the strongest track. However…

…along comes the next tune. “Hawks Above” is a true gem and the best example of everything coming together for Nick and his band. The song writing is strong and evocative, showing us Faye truly has the necessary musical chops. An average write - Gray Owl Point

THE LAST BEST WEST
Nick Faye & the Deputies
Indie
8-out-of-10

Nick Faye is a name you might want to remember because this Regina-based musician writes a darned fine soft rock song, and quite frankly performs them just fine too.

Faye recently performed locally at 5th Avenue Cup & Saucer in Yorkton, where it was just Faye and his guitar. It was a more intimate representation of his music in the cozy venue, but the disk in this case is better.

Faye's music works better with a full band in support of it. The music comes across more like it was meant to be.

All the songs were written by Faye, and he writes what he knows, with songs reflective of Saskatchewan. You see our province in the lyrics of songs such as Hawks Above and Bankend, and they are more enjoyable as a result.

This disk also has some local relevance. Faye has family in Foam Lake, and Byron Chambers, formally of Yorkton is both a musician on the disk, and he recorded, mixed and mastered The Last Best West. Joining Faye and Chambers on the album is Adam Ennis.

In addition Emily Kohlert from Yorkton took the CD's interior photo art.

While there are good reasons to check out this disk to support local and Saskatchewan talent, the best reason to buy it is because it's a great piece of music.

Check it out at www.myspace.com/nickfaye
— CALVIN DANIELS
- Yorkton This Week