Toronto, ON-based band, The Actual Goners have released a brand new single, “Temptation”. The single takes influence from current indie-pop heavyweights while paying homage to Canadian roots-rock musicians. Check it out below and find out more about the band via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Heyo! Tristan Armstrong here, of The Actual Goners. Duncan Symonds and I are Vancouver Islanders who now call Toronto home, and share songwriting duties in the band.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
The five of us in The Actual Goners are all originally from out west, and we’ve been playing music together in other various formats for upwards of a decade. The sound and energy of a unit all playing together in the same room is something that we focus on trying to capture in making a record. We’re continually trying to challenge ourselves as songwriters. A theme we’ve been working with from the beginning is magnifying the beauty and struggle that can be found within the seemingly menial moments of life.
Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?
Playing the songs live gives us an opportunity to stretch things out and react to the energy in the room. We’re constantly developing how we play the songs live, which keeps things interesting for our audience and ourselves.
This fall we’ll be releasing our latest EP Curbside Finds, so stay tuned for the release show announcement.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
“Temptation” is our latest release and was recorded and mixed by John Dinsmore at Lincoln County Social Club in Toronto. We were able to capture a great live energy on the track. The 12-string guitar and vocal harmonies provide some juxtaposition to a darker driving rock groove. Duncan penned this one and came up with a truly catchy chorus.
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?
I’ve been a fan of Matt Mays for many years, and I always check out what he’s up to. Slow Leaves is a band from Winnipeg that features the songwriting of Grant Davidson. I had a chance to catch their set at the Folk Music Ontario conference a couple of years back and was thoroughly inspired by the songs and their performance. I was listening to CBC in the car a few weeks back and I heard a live recording of William Prince doing his song “Breathless” that literally made me weep. He’s got a unique style and there’s an incredible earnest quality to his voice.
I first remember being exposed to The Tragically Hip while on a family camping trip in Washington State (how ’bout that?!) while in elementary school. Soon after, I bought the Phantom Power CD. My apperception for that band grows every single day, and I’m constantly finding new and interesting things in Gord Downie’s lyrics.
I’m Jenna, and I am the founder and editor of Canadian Beats. I have had a strong love for Canadian music, which started many years ago. I have a passion for promoting these talented Canadian bands and artists, and that’s how Canadian Beats came to be. I am so proud of what it has become over the last few years, with many talented music lovers and writers coming together to spread the word of Canada’s music.