Songwriter's Circle: A Tribute to Live Music

Tattoo artist and country singer-songwriter Aaron Allen is back with another emotionally-charged EP; Highway Mile is available everywhere today. Remaining true to his signature sound that fans have come to love, Allen brings his raw and honest songwriting to today’s debut. While the release marks Allen’s 10th studio release, Highway Mile was produced by  2018, 2019 CCMA and CMAO Producer of the Year Jeff Dalziel.

“I wanted to make something that stood up over time,” said Allen on the new EP. “Highway Mile is really about the stories from my real-life experiences —  I just tried to be transparent with the hope that maybe my story would connect with others. I hope we’ve done that with this new record.”

Quickly becoming Allen’s fastest-growing single, the new releases’ title track — “Highway Mile” — was added to 7 playlists on Apple Music out of the gate, gaining almost 200,000 streams in its first month.  Set to surpass the previously released “Where Music Comes From,” “Highway Mile” demonstrates Allen’s dedication to creating deeply personal stories through music.

“I didn’t really intend for this song to be recorded but when Dalziel heard it he said we had to,” said Allen when speaking of “Highway Mile.” “The song is meant as a reminder to slow down — to take time for my wife and myself. Life can be so darn busy, especially in this industry, so I need that reminder every day. “

In addition to its title track, the new EP will include three previously released singles and a handful of new tracks including “Can We Go Back,” “Superman” and “Mine All Mine.” Featuring many of the same players throughout, the record has a unique, cohesive feel that the listener can identify with from the first song to last.  The songs are mature, honest and relatable.  It’s easy to see that Allen is carving out his own path in the industry and taking the road less traveled with this new release.

Since his first release to radio in 2019 Allen has quickly become one of Canada’s most promising rising stars. With more than a million streams to his name, Allen’s style remains as true-to-life as ever but after years of forging a devoted fan base as an independent artist, the time has finally come to take the next step. Pushed by the support of Dalziel (Dan Davidson, The Washboard Union, Andrew Hyatt), Allen has created music that will definitely have the industry listening.

2018 marked the 15th anniversary of Great Lake Swimmers. Over seven albums, multiple EPs, live broadcasts and reissues, the Toronto-based project led by singer-songwriter Tony Dekker has established itself as a beloved indie folk act in Canada and beyond. The CBC has called them “a national treasure” with a sound that is at once familiar and distinct, using the tools of folk music as the starting point to delve deeper.

The latest release, “The Waves, The Wake” branches out to include new sounds such as harp, lute, pipe organ, woodwinds, congas and marimbas, alongside the more familiar flecks and chimes of the banjo, piano, and 12-string electric guitar. A scaled back, solo acoustic version was also released in 2019.

Great Lake Swimmers have been nominated twice for Juno Awards, have been shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris Prize, and won a Canadian Indie Award for Favourite Folk/Roots Artist/Group. They have shared the stage as support for such

musical luminaries as Robert Plant, Feist, Daniel Lanois, and Calexico, and have appeared as headliners at many of Canada’s major folk music festivals.

“A minimalist, atmospheric compendium of songs with a sonic environment the listener can easily get lost in.”

– The Vue

“Dekker has done a masterful job of finding that balance on The Waves, the Wake, which has enough connections to the past to satisfy long-time fans of Great Lake Swimmers even while the singer looks to the future and moves forward as an artist.”

– The Georgia Straight

“A cherished blend of folk and orchestral indie pop.”

– Exclaim