Episode 201: The Sheepdogs on Vinyl, Rock ’n’ Roll & the Stories Behind the Music

Some bands become part of your story. For us, The Sheepdogs have been one of those bands since the beginning of Strange Grooves.

We've spent years talking about the band, going to shows together, collecting their albums, and making memories with their music along the way. So when we heard The Sheepdogs were releasing a new album and coming to Saint John, we knew we had to try to make an interview happen.

And holy smokes, did it ever feel full circle.

Welcome to Strange Grooves Episode 201, featuring Ryan and Ewan of The Sheepdogs, recorded at the Imperial Theatre in Saint John ahead of the band's show that evening.

If you caught our earlier videos reflecting on our history with the band over the past 20 years, you already know why this one was special. Music has brought the two of us together, given us countless nights out with our buddies, and been at the heart of what we do with Strange Grooves for nearly a decade.

Getting to sit down with musicians whose work you genuinely admire is a reminder of why you fell in love with music in the first place. And naturally, because this is Strange Grooves, we couldn't show up without some vinyl.

Records, influences & the stories behind the music

We brought along records from our own collections and got into the stories behind the music. Ryan and Ewan shared thoughts on early influences, favourite singers, albums that changed the way they thought about music, and that unbeatable feeling of finally finding a record you've been hunting for.

If you're a vinyl collector, you know the feeling.

We also dug into the band's new album, Keep Out of the Storm, now available, and talked about everything that goes into making new music and taking it out on the road. From the early days of playing to 40 people to how life changes along the way, we got into the realities of building a sustainable career in music and keeping a band moving forward.

Because behind every great band are people figuring out life, reflecting on where they've been, and deciding where they want to go next. We talked about that, too.

A little Canadian songwriting history

One of our favourite moments was introducing the guys to Street Ballet by Ken Tobias.

We shared a little about how we came to know Ken, a remarkable Canadian songwriter and a dearly missed friend of ours and of Strange Grooves. We wanted Ryan and Ewan to have a piece of Ken's music for their own collections, knowing how much Canadian songwriting means to them.

It's a moment that captures what this show is all about: sharing records, telling stories, and connecting people through music.

The Sheepdogs, live and on vinyl

We also got our hands on an unreleased, highly anticipated copy of Coming and Going on vinyl. You can preorder yours through The Sheepdogs' official website, so if you've been waiting for this one, now's the time.

And if you still have a chance to catch the guys on tour, GO. Seriously. What a show. The new album is fantastic, and seeing these songs come to life on stage makes the whole experience that much better.

We could have talked to Ryan and Ewan for hours, but we wanted to respect their time, soundcheck, and the big show ahead. We're grateful we got to make this one happen, and we're already looking forward to seeing them again.

This episode was a blast to prepare for, a privilege to record, and a reminder of why we started Strange Grooves in the first place. We love connecting with the people behind the music, learning the stories behind the records, and sharing those moments with the Strange Crew.

So go listen to Keep Out of the Storm, preorder Coming and Going, support live music, and bring your buddies along for the ride.

Thanks for being here and for continuing to connect with us over music.

KEEP IT STRANGE — Cait & Cherise