New single out 17th June:
What in the World/ Any Doubt
Photo by Daneil Lacasta Fitzsimmons
Press Info:
After some outstanding reviews from his last album Dream on Sally, Ewan Macintyre delivers his most accomplished record to date with new single What in the World/ Any Doubt from forthcoming album 21st Century Fools. The album was written and recorded in Montreal, QC over COVID curfews and strict regulations, and finished up across the other side of the Atlantic on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Ewan turns his music revivalism into a full tilt glossy machine, positively mainstream by Ewan's standards and charged with an array of super talents from the Montreal music scene.
Performing live in June: 17th in Edinburgh, 21st Montrose
21st Century Fools is both a celebration and musical exploration of Ewan's seven plus years living in Quebec, CA. Stuck with not much work or hope for a musical future over lockdown, Ewan pulled together good friends and colleagues to produce something positive and creative, while simultaneously including heavy doses of cynicism. With his last album Dream on Sally taking a more stripped down feel closer to the bands live performances as a trio, and drawing more on his work as lead singer/ songwriter of award winning Edinburgh Bluegrass band The Southern Tenant Folk Union, this latest record pulls it all out of the bag with drums, bass, lush strings and vocal harmonies, electric guitar and some killer accordion playing.
Ewan draws heavily upon the great cross roads of early American music as well as Scottish and Irish traditional music. Married to cellist Karine Bouchard (Simon Leoza, Rachel Beck), Ewan’s writing is often flavoured with rich string arrangements that weave in and out of the vocal melodies and harmonies. The addition of Amanda Gibeau's classical violin background adds a very different feel to the songs, with the string duo working together seamlessly. There is a deeper focus on vocal harmonies with Ewan's work with singer Dana Babineau-Burns. In addition to this, Ewan brought in friend and accordionist Antoine Larocque (le Winston Band) into the group, whose deep fried, Louisiana soaked: Cajun and Zydeco influences helped grease the wheels of this already sweet sounding machine. Lifting the whole project however are the electric boys: Bassist Chester Alarie, Guitarist Arthur Smith and Drummer Etienne Lambert. The addition of a full “Rock Band” style base for the project really opens up Ewan’s songwriting in a very different way, offering up a rich and flavorful palette that still retains the writer’s folksy charms. The album also contains three Scottish Gàidhlig tunes that instigated Ewan’s return to Scotland and are the beginnings of a general motivation to encourage more new written songs in the language.
What in World and Any Doubt both feature standout vocal harmonies throughout, drawing inspiration from country/ jazz/ blues artists like Sarah Jarosz, Norah Jones and Andrew Bird. Ewan met Dana at a session at the end of a tour in Scotland in 2018, coincidently just before she returned to her home town of Montreal in which they began various musical projects together. Any Doubt is both a love song for his wife Karine as well as a farewell to Montreal that attempts to weigh the difficulties of being bound to two homes, being of a place and not belonging at the same time.
What in the World is an open ended question to the universe, drawing inspiration and a positive feel from a sense of loss and depression. With a steady bounce driven by the drums, bass and accordion, it is also underpinned by Ewan’s Peter Green-esque blues tones on the slide and of course the rich strings that fuzzy the line between melancholy and beauty.
Featuring: Etienne Lambert on drum kit, Antoine Laroque (le Winston Band) on Accordion, Amanda Gibeau on violin, Chester Alarie (Noyze) on Electric Bass, Arthur Smith () on Electric guitar, Karine Bouchard (Simon Leoza, Rachel Beck) on Cello, Dana Babieau-Burns on Backing Vocals and Ewan on lead vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Electric Guitar, Whistle, Harmonica, Keys, Double Bass.
Produced by Ewan Macintyre & Patrick Steele. Recorded by Arthur Smith, Patrick Steele and Ewan Macintyre. Mixed and Mastered by Patrick Steele.
For more information and the latest tour dates, please visit
www.ewan-macintyre.org
For all media enquiries, please contact
James Soars 01536 720245/07758781032
Email. james@jameshsoars.com
Previous work:
Ewan has been a self-employed artist since the age of 19, working primarily as a musician, puppeteer, sculptor and builder. As a musician and composer Ewan has worked in theatre, film solo and with band projects. Highlights of his career include collaborating with Hidden Orchestra for Big Man Walking (singing to crowds of over 10,000 people on top of cherry picker outside Holyrood Palace and again in Glasgows George Square for Merchant City festival 2014) as well as supporting Hot House Flowers in 2013. In 2015 he released his first solo album “You Probably Look Better Naked Anyway” which was rated #3 in the Canadian National Folk Roots Charts, setting him on a mad journey touring his band of troubadours across Canada and Europe.
Between 2010 to 2013 Ewan performed with Edinburgh collective “the Southern Tenant Folk Union”, with whom he performed on national Irish T.V. (Late Late Show 2013, The View 2010). He toured 3 albums with the band across the UK and Ireland, received stellar national press and in 2011 they received Americana Artist of the Year award.
In theatre Ewan has created music for artificial reality show “Dragon Matrix” (2015-2017) and worked on “In Her Shadows” directed by Cora Bisset. In 2014 he created music for “Embrace” and “My City” and before that worked on numerous childrens theatre shows, “The Gift”, “Lost Sock Princess”, “Faerie Stories”.
Currently Ewan resides in Montreal and involves himself in a variety of projects in the worlds of theatre and music. Projects include "Bike Story" - a community project that turns bicycles into musical instruments and visual theatre pieces, old school Americana collective "Hot Sweet Potato Club (Sandwich), "The Carrot, Sex, Shit, Death", "Skiffle the Washboard Cat (puppet web series, the "Broken Car Band" - https://www.facebook.com/brokencarband/ and "Montreal Ceilidh Band" - www.montrealceilidhband.com
After some outstanding reviews from his last album Dream on Sally, Ewan Macintyre delivers his most accomplished record to date with new single What in the World/ Any Doubt from forthcoming album 21st Century Fools. The album was written and recorded in Montreal, QC over COVID curfews and strict regulations, and finished up across the other side of the Atlantic on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Ewan turns his music revivalism into a full tilt glossy machine, positively mainstream by Ewan's standards and charged with an array of super talents from the Montreal music scene.
Performing live in June: 17th in Edinburgh, 21st Montrose
21st Century Fools is both a celebration and musical exploration of Ewan's seven plus years living in Quebec, CA. Stuck with not much work or hope for a musical future over lockdown, Ewan pulled together good friends and colleagues to produce something positive and creative, while simultaneously including heavy doses of cynicism. With his last album Dream on Sally taking a more stripped down feel closer to the bands live performances as a trio, and drawing more on his work as lead singer/ songwriter of award winning Edinburgh Bluegrass band The Southern Tenant Folk Union, this latest record pulls it all out of the bag with drums, bass, lush strings and vocal harmonies, electric guitar and some killer accordion playing.
Ewan draws heavily upon the great cross roads of early American music as well as Scottish and Irish traditional music. Married to cellist Karine Bouchard (Simon Leoza, Rachel Beck), Ewan’s writing is often flavoured with rich string arrangements that weave in and out of the vocal melodies and harmonies. The addition of Amanda Gibeau's classical violin background adds a very different feel to the songs, with the string duo working together seamlessly. There is a deeper focus on vocal harmonies with Ewan's work with singer Dana Babineau-Burns. In addition to this, Ewan brought in friend and accordionist Antoine Larocque (le Winston Band) into the group, whose deep fried, Louisiana soaked: Cajun and Zydeco influences helped grease the wheels of this already sweet sounding machine. Lifting the whole project however are the electric boys: Bassist Chester Alarie, Guitarist Arthur Smith and Drummer Etienne Lambert. The addition of a full “Rock Band” style base for the project really opens up Ewan’s songwriting in a very different way, offering up a rich and flavorful palette that still retains the writer’s folksy charms. The album also contains three Scottish Gàidhlig tunes that instigated Ewan’s return to Scotland and are the beginnings of a general motivation to encourage more new written songs in the language.
What in World and Any Doubt both feature standout vocal harmonies throughout, drawing inspiration from country/ jazz/ blues artists like Sarah Jarosz, Norah Jones and Andrew Bird. Ewan met Dana at a session at the end of a tour in Scotland in 2018, coincidently just before she returned to her home town of Montreal in which they began various musical projects together. Any Doubt is both a love song for his wife Karine as well as a farewell to Montreal that attempts to weigh the difficulties of being bound to two homes, being of a place and not belonging at the same time.
What in the World is an open ended question to the universe, drawing inspiration and a positive feel from a sense of loss and depression. With a steady bounce driven by the drums, bass and accordion, it is also underpinned by Ewan’s Peter Green-esque blues tones on the slide and of course the rich strings that fuzzy the line between melancholy and beauty.
Featuring: Etienne Lambert on drum kit, Antoine Laroque (le Winston Band) on Accordion, Amanda Gibeau on violin, Chester Alarie (Noyze) on Electric Bass, Arthur Smith () on Electric guitar, Karine Bouchard (Simon Leoza, Rachel Beck) on Cello, Dana Babieau-Burns on Backing Vocals and Ewan on lead vocals, Guitar, Mandolin, Electric Guitar, Whistle, Harmonica, Keys, Double Bass.
Produced by Ewan Macintyre & Patrick Steele. Recorded by Arthur Smith, Patrick Steele and Ewan Macintyre. Mixed and Mastered by Patrick Steele.
For more information and the latest tour dates, please visit
www.ewan-macintyre.org
For all media enquiries, please contact
James Soars 01536 720245/07758781032
Email. james@jameshsoars.com
Previous work:
Ewan has been a self-employed artist since the age of 19, working primarily as a musician, puppeteer, sculptor and builder. As a musician and composer Ewan has worked in theatre, film solo and with band projects. Highlights of his career include collaborating with Hidden Orchestra for Big Man Walking (singing to crowds of over 10,000 people on top of cherry picker outside Holyrood Palace and again in Glasgows George Square for Merchant City festival 2014) as well as supporting Hot House Flowers in 2013. In 2015 he released his first solo album “You Probably Look Better Naked Anyway” which was rated #3 in the Canadian National Folk Roots Charts, setting him on a mad journey touring his band of troubadours across Canada and Europe.
Between 2010 to 2013 Ewan performed with Edinburgh collective “the Southern Tenant Folk Union”, with whom he performed on national Irish T.V. (Late Late Show 2013, The View 2010). He toured 3 albums with the band across the UK and Ireland, received stellar national press and in 2011 they received Americana Artist of the Year award.
In theatre Ewan has created music for artificial reality show “Dragon Matrix” (2015-2017) and worked on “In Her Shadows” directed by Cora Bisset. In 2014 he created music for “Embrace” and “My City” and before that worked on numerous childrens theatre shows, “The Gift”, “Lost Sock Princess”, “Faerie Stories”.
Currently Ewan resides in Montreal and involves himself in a variety of projects in the worlds of theatre and music. Projects include "Bike Story" - a community project that turns bicycles into musical instruments and visual theatre pieces, old school Americana collective "Hot Sweet Potato Club (Sandwich), "The Carrot, Sex, Shit, Death", "Skiffle the Washboard Cat (puppet web series, the "Broken Car Band" - https://www.facebook.com/brokencarband/ and "Montreal Ceilidh Band" - www.montrealceilidhband.com
Press reviews: Dream on Sally
Dream On Sally is an aural painting designed to free the soul from the delusions and nightmares of constrained existence
A beautiful sound urged to roam free 8.5/10
Ian D.Hall (Liverpool sound and vision)
Full review:
https://www.liverpoolsoundandvision.co.uk/2020/11/07/ewan-macintyre-band-dream-on-sally-album-review/
Untampered, unhibited freshnes. Dream on Sally is a lesson in musical revival.
Michael Pritchard. Folk London Magazine. 2020
Ewan Macintyre seems to be challenging the king of Celtic soul for his crown – and maybe Van the Man will need to hand it over. Dream on Sally is an intriguing mix of bluegrass instruments, celtic tunes and extraordinary, soulful vocals. An extraordinary acheivement.
Peter Tomkins. Rock and Reel Magazine 2020
Masterful slice of translatic roots music from Scottish/ Canadian ensemble. Built on the solid foundation of Ewan’s Celtic roots, the music incorporates, in equal measures, splashes of blues, soul and American folk along with some heavy lacings of jazz It’s all delivered with a stunning subtlety and presented via a mix that showcases each individual’s contribution and which is an absolute aural delight.
John Barlass, At the Barrier 2020
On stage showmanship mixed with his sense of on the button musicality. Dream on Sally sees the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist spread his wings even more with own band and eight highly individual songs and tunes, each delivered with a soulful punch.
Allan Wilkinon, Northern Sky Magazine 2020
A beautiful sound urged to roam free 8.5/10
Ian D.Hall (Liverpool sound and vision)
Full review:
https://www.liverpoolsoundandvision.co.uk/2020/11/07/ewan-macintyre-band-dream-on-sally-album-review/
Untampered, unhibited freshnes. Dream on Sally is a lesson in musical revival.
Michael Pritchard. Folk London Magazine. 2020
Ewan Macintyre seems to be challenging the king of Celtic soul for his crown – and maybe Van the Man will need to hand it over. Dream on Sally is an intriguing mix of bluegrass instruments, celtic tunes and extraordinary, soulful vocals. An extraordinary acheivement.
Peter Tomkins. Rock and Reel Magazine 2020
Masterful slice of translatic roots music from Scottish/ Canadian ensemble. Built on the solid foundation of Ewan’s Celtic roots, the music incorporates, in equal measures, splashes of blues, soul and American folk along with some heavy lacings of jazz It’s all delivered with a stunning subtlety and presented via a mix that showcases each individual’s contribution and which is an absolute aural delight.
John Barlass, At the Barrier 2020
On stage showmanship mixed with his sense of on the button musicality. Dream on Sally sees the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist spread his wings even more with own band and eight highly individual songs and tunes, each delivered with a soulful punch.
Allan Wilkinon, Northern Sky Magazine 2020
Press Reviews
Road Junkie - Ewan Macintyre Band (2018)
"Cowboy campfire sounds immersed in soulful attire, Celtic grooves meets jazz bar crooning, ragged folkiness frolicking with the uptown and the urbane.
As always when worlds collide, the result is devastating, that remains true here. Road Junkie is devastatingly clever, devastatingly gorgeous and devastatingly original."
(click to see full review here) David Franklin
"Some albums, like hot baths on December evenings, let you lower yourself into them and recline in utter comfort and satisfaction. Road Junkie, Ewan Macintyre's latest record, is one such LP, lapping at the ears with a wonderful warmth as each song froths with Tim S. Savard's fiddle, evocative slide guitar from Pat Steele and Ewan himself."
(click to see full review here) Liam Wilkinson, Northern Sky
"With a name like Road Junkie, you'd be forgiven for expecting a collection of tracks hastily put-together by a busy gigging band. However there's not a rough live song in sight - Road Junkie is strong and compact; a dreamy production full of carefully crafted love songs and feel-good thoughts from the Ewan Macintyre Band.
It's also a varied record, a mix of up-tempo compositions like the slick and catchy Lucita, or the jaunty Sparkly Eyes, and the more laid-back musings of Natalie or the longing wails on Going Nowhere. But there are moments when there is a real depth in arrangements: the high production string washes on opener Sideways, and crucial bass thrum on the reflective Sleep bringing to mind the delicate balance of Abbey Road. Hello Rain is a rich showcase of Macintyre's vocals, with a horizontal attitude and relaxed slide.
The stand-out track is the growing, momentum-building Red Ribbon: with some Nina Simone-esque inflection, ear-worm Quincy Jones string backing, and a driving cymbal ride and drum snap dragging you through. This is Macintyre at his raw-singing best accompanied by concise improvisation on an atmospheric theme.
There are late hints of Gaelic connections on the fleeting Mondays, or the leading fiddle and cello combination of Take Yourself Out with its psychedelic middle-eight. But Road Junkie is really a condensation of styles, bringing together Macintyre's folk days touring the UK with Southern Tenant Folk Union and his earlier (and funkier) explorations spearheading the underground Edinburgh arts event The Big Freak, with his current experiences in the traditional music scenes of Quebec, and North America as a whole. The cross-genre mixing based around a strong vocal lead makes the Ewan Macintyre Band very much more John Martyn than John Strachan. -
Dan Bergsagel (Ewan Macintyre music enthusiast and part-time reviewer for London Jazz News since 2014)
"Eclectic, skillful, and overall just highly recommended if you want to catch something new and inspiring. Welcome back at An Lanntair anytime." -Alex Macdonald 2018
“Excellent stage presence and beautiful original songs. I think just about anyone could enjoy a live set of Ewan’s” Sian Macleod @ Record City, 2017
“like Robert Johnson returned from the crossroads, is a welcome moment in the future of Scottish music...” Damo Bullen @ Celtic Connections 2016
“innovative music” Edinburgh Guide 2015
“a celtic feel... not so much Bothy more Jethro Tull” Fife Press 2013
“Standout Scottish voice” Neon Filler 2011
Fan Reviews
"Fantastic night of music with the Ewan MacIntyre Band in Strathpeffer tonight. Treat your body, mind and soul and catch them at a venue near you - or travel the length of the country if you have to." - Findlay Hickey
"An amazing combo with storytelling and lyrics to match. A treat to listen to. Already looking forward to the next time." - Philip Armshaw
"So talented, all of them." - Emily Joy
"Saw them in the market bar Inverness. Fantastic band. Wonderful talent. Just excellent. I doubt I only speak for myself when I say they're always welcome!" - Megan McFarlane
"This guys are fantastic musicians. Awesome performance at the Royal last night. Good tunes full of energy..." - Boris Faraguna
"Ewan is possibly the finest voice & songwriter I've ever had the pleasure of working with :D
Check out his BELTER of a new album; IMHO the purest material he's yet released! Road Junkie is a beautiful collection of soulful laments, honest existential observations + both outstanding songwriting & musicianship xx" - Dominic Hardy
"Ewan has a really beautiful voice and writes soulful tunes with a folk, sometimes jazzy, bluesy feel. The sort of songs where you listen, then listen again and the music seeps into your head and heart." - Kim Bergsagel
Road Junkie - Ewan Macintyre Band (2018)
"Cowboy campfire sounds immersed in soulful attire, Celtic grooves meets jazz bar crooning, ragged folkiness frolicking with the uptown and the urbane.
As always when worlds collide, the result is devastating, that remains true here. Road Junkie is devastatingly clever, devastatingly gorgeous and devastatingly original."
(click to see full review here) David Franklin
"Some albums, like hot baths on December evenings, let you lower yourself into them and recline in utter comfort and satisfaction. Road Junkie, Ewan Macintyre's latest record, is one such LP, lapping at the ears with a wonderful warmth as each song froths with Tim S. Savard's fiddle, evocative slide guitar from Pat Steele and Ewan himself."
(click to see full review here) Liam Wilkinson, Northern Sky
"With a name like Road Junkie, you'd be forgiven for expecting a collection of tracks hastily put-together by a busy gigging band. However there's not a rough live song in sight - Road Junkie is strong and compact; a dreamy production full of carefully crafted love songs and feel-good thoughts from the Ewan Macintyre Band.
It's also a varied record, a mix of up-tempo compositions like the slick and catchy Lucita, or the jaunty Sparkly Eyes, and the more laid-back musings of Natalie or the longing wails on Going Nowhere. But there are moments when there is a real depth in arrangements: the high production string washes on opener Sideways, and crucial bass thrum on the reflective Sleep bringing to mind the delicate balance of Abbey Road. Hello Rain is a rich showcase of Macintyre's vocals, with a horizontal attitude and relaxed slide.
The stand-out track is the growing, momentum-building Red Ribbon: with some Nina Simone-esque inflection, ear-worm Quincy Jones string backing, and a driving cymbal ride and drum snap dragging you through. This is Macintyre at his raw-singing best accompanied by concise improvisation on an atmospheric theme.
There are late hints of Gaelic connections on the fleeting Mondays, or the leading fiddle and cello combination of Take Yourself Out with its psychedelic middle-eight. But Road Junkie is really a condensation of styles, bringing together Macintyre's folk days touring the UK with Southern Tenant Folk Union and his earlier (and funkier) explorations spearheading the underground Edinburgh arts event The Big Freak, with his current experiences in the traditional music scenes of Quebec, and North America as a whole. The cross-genre mixing based around a strong vocal lead makes the Ewan Macintyre Band very much more John Martyn than John Strachan. -
Dan Bergsagel (Ewan Macintyre music enthusiast and part-time reviewer for London Jazz News since 2014)
"Eclectic, skillful, and overall just highly recommended if you want to catch something new and inspiring. Welcome back at An Lanntair anytime." -Alex Macdonald 2018
“Excellent stage presence and beautiful original songs. I think just about anyone could enjoy a live set of Ewan’s” Sian Macleod @ Record City, 2017
“like Robert Johnson returned from the crossroads, is a welcome moment in the future of Scottish music...” Damo Bullen @ Celtic Connections 2016
“innovative music” Edinburgh Guide 2015
“a celtic feel... not so much Bothy more Jethro Tull” Fife Press 2013
“Standout Scottish voice” Neon Filler 2011
Fan Reviews
"Fantastic night of music with the Ewan MacIntyre Band in Strathpeffer tonight. Treat your body, mind and soul and catch them at a venue near you - or travel the length of the country if you have to." - Findlay Hickey
"An amazing combo with storytelling and lyrics to match. A treat to listen to. Already looking forward to the next time." - Philip Armshaw
"So talented, all of them." - Emily Joy
"Saw them in the market bar Inverness. Fantastic band. Wonderful talent. Just excellent. I doubt I only speak for myself when I say they're always welcome!" - Megan McFarlane
"This guys are fantastic musicians. Awesome performance at the Royal last night. Good tunes full of energy..." - Boris Faraguna
"Ewan is possibly the finest voice & songwriter I've ever had the pleasure of working with :D
Check out his BELTER of a new album; IMHO the purest material he's yet released! Road Junkie is a beautiful collection of soulful laments, honest existential observations + both outstanding songwriting & musicianship xx" - Dominic Hardy
"Ewan has a really beautiful voice and writes soulful tunes with a folk, sometimes jazzy, bluesy feel. The sort of songs where you listen, then listen again and the music seeps into your head and heart." - Kim Bergsagel
