Stonetrotter

Stonetrotter marks the release of their first full-length album with a mini-tour of Ontario.
The five-piece band plays Barrie and Orillia this weekend, opening for Zeus, an indie rock/alternative rock group that originated in Barrie and is now based in Toronto.
“We were big fans of their music growing up and we’re lucky to have made a contact with drummer in the band,” said Dave Allen, adding that this Stonetrotter’s first time performing with Zeus.
Stonetrotter’s album was two years in the making. It follows two previous EPs for the five-piece group. Allen, lead vocalist and guitarist for the band, wrote all of the songs.
“I like to think of it as document of everything we’ve been through and into over the past three years in one CD,” said Allen, adding that the majority of it was recorded at two local studios, including one in Barrie and the other at farm studio the band constructed in Avening, near Creemore.
“We made quite a few weekends out of it, setting it up and tearing it down every weekend. It’s really gorgeous (and) lends itself to the ambiance of the songs.r enable JavaScript if it is disabled in your browser.
A lot of the sonic characteristics of the album came from us recording in that farm. It was nice to get away. We could start whenever we wanted to and go as late as we wanted.”
Seven of the 10 songs on the album were recorded at the farm. Some were inspired by being in open spaces while others come were a form of self-expression for Allen, feelings mulled over and captured into works. Topics range from love to death.
The music reflects the eclectic interests of band members, which run the gamut from jazz to punk and metal. The album is indie rock, but there are elements of folk-rock, soul and country.
All of the band members have music in their background and all were involved in different bands prior to Stonetrotter that, for one reason or another, dissolved. Three years ago, they set up a jam session and kept on going.
All attended local high schools and now range in age from 25 to 28. All still live and work in Barrie with exception of Allen who moved to Toronto, where he does a lot of freelance work as a graphic designer and website designer.
All say they are in music for life, some of which extends into their day jobs.
Courtney Dubois, the only female in the group, plays piano and contributes vocals. She teaches piano and voice at a local music studio and writes her own original material. In addition to Stonetrotter, she plays with other bands in Barrie such as with Todd Jeffery and Ben Lemen, as a duo. Dubois is a barista at a coffee shop in downtown Barrie.
Lemen plays bass and contributes vocals to Stonetrotter. He also teaches bass, guitar and piano at a local music school which is how he met Pearson. Ben Pearson, lead guitar, was in a previous band with Allen before becoming involved in Stonetrotter. After high school Pearson went to Brock University and then to Humber College for public relations and is now working in his field.
Evan Dwinnell joined Stonetrotter a few months after the others and is the band’s only drummer. By day, he works at the Barrie Public Library.
There are local connections beyond the band, from the producers to the photographer who took this picture. They also rehearse locally, after hours at Bohemia.
“We’re all friends and we have a strong musical community here,” Allen said.
The band’s first video, for Back At The Boneyard, was also recorded locally at cottage in Wyebridge which was formerly owned by artist Franz Johnston (Group of Seven). In fact, Johnston has been credited with the stained glass windows seen in the video.
Plans for this weekend’s gigs include playing a good selection of songs from the album as well as a couple of newer songs that haven’t been released yet.
“We’re bringin’ it hard,” said Allen of the upcoming shows.
Stonetrotter plays Sticky Fingers, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie, on Saturday, Nov. 28 and The Brownstone Cafe, 178 Mississaga St. E., Orillia, on Sunday, Nov. 29. There is a $10 cover charge for the Barrie gig. Zeus headlines both dates.
Hard copies of the album will be available at both local gigs. It is also available online. Both groups also play Lee’s Palace in Toronto on Thursday, Nov. 26. - Barrie Examiner

Get ready to rip your jeans and shred your flannels on the rugged, rustic folk-rock of “Born Stiff”, the new single from perennial Quick Before It Melts favourites Stonetrotter. The Barrie ON-based quintet is ready to deliver on the promise of their two previous EPs with their debut, self-titled, self-released full length (out on October 30).

“Born Stiff” is a Springsteenesque, mid-tempo delight, marked by Stonetrotter’s flawless harmonies and irreproachable musical instincts. Definitely a change of pace from what we’ve come to expect of Stonetrotter, it’s further evidence that this multi-faceted band is no one-trick pony.

Stonetrotter the album will be available from Stonetrotter the band a week today, but you can hear “Born Stiff” streaming below today. - Quick Before It Melts

Following a couple of prior EPs, rootsy Ontario outfit Stonetrotter are now making the leap to full-lengths with the arrival of their self-titled debut LP. With the album set to be released on October 30, Exclaim! has the premiere on the entire thing.

While the five-piece don't stray too far from their rootsy wheelhouse, they cover a fair amount of sonic territory across Stonetrotter's 10 tracks. Cuts like "The Truth Don't Don't Look the Same to Me and You" and "Back at the Boneyard" are hypnotic and reverberating, while "Duets" is classic country, "A Ghost in My Own Skin" and "What's Goin' On (With My Love)?" are swaggering soul-pop, and "Born Stiff" sports crunchy guitar riffs. The overall effect is simultaneously earthy and dreamy, sounding like the work of a folk band with an affection for post-rock production.

Scroll past the band's Ontario tour schedule to hear it all below.

Tour dates:

10/30 Toronto, ON - Hugh's Room #
10/31 Gravenhurst, ON - Sawdust City Brewery
11/01 Barrie, ON - Mady Center for the Performing Arts *
11/06 Orillia, ON - The Brownstone Cafe
11/07 Cornwall, ON - Lola's
11/28 Toronto, ON - Burdock Music Hall ^
12/05 Barrie, ON - Foxx Lounge ~
12/06 Toronto, ON - Burdock Music Hall ~

# with the Woodshed Orchestra
* with Fortunate Ones
^ with Animal Parts
~ with Brett Caswell, Jerry Leger, Shawn William Clark - Exclaim!