Untampered, unhibited freshness. Dream on Sally is a lesson is musical revival. Michael Pritchard. Folk London Magazine. 2020
Photo by Karine Bouchard
Dream on Sally album press release 2020
Since his emigration to Canada in 2014, Ex-lead singer/ songwriter of award winning Edinburgh Bluegrass band The Southern Tenant Folk Union, Scottish soul man Ewan Macintyre has been developing his own individual transatlantic roots style. Having produced two albums in Montreal, his latest venture Dream on Sally features a core group of Quebec cellist Karine Bouchard and Scottish fiddle player Peter Menzies, with Ewan primarily on Guitar/ Vox/ Mandolin. The trio met at traditional sessions in Montreal, QC and Edinburgh, Scotland and came together formally in March 2018 for a tour of Denmark and Germany.
Ewan draws heavily upon the great cross roads of early American music (where styles of soul, swing, blues and country collided). All this, together in a hot soup of Celtic/ Bluegrass and a dash of Prog rock and 90's R'n'B and behold, you have the Ewan Macintyre Band's sound. Ewan’s writing over the new album is heavily inspired by his musicians, building lush string arrangements around his vocal delivery.
Each track represents a unique element of Ewan’s songwriting and taste. Tracks Same Story (Cigarette Butts) and Keep your Eyes explore his pop songs, featuring hooks and choruses whilst continually progressing harmonically though far from main stream material.
Track three Each to their Own is a subtle ode to Doctor Johns Such a Night, though lyrically tells the story of an unfortunate experience picking up an overzealous hitch-hiker on the road between Ottawa and Montreal. Tracks Muckle Mooth and Breaks n Waves showcase a more Celtic flair often found in the bands live shows, the former particularly allowing Peter to really rock out on the fiddle. Pieces is similarly a more complex harmonic exploration with nods to the Beatles and classic songs God Bless the Child and Bill Evans Someday my Prince Will Come. Bright lights and Pictures bring us back to a more meandering guitar song, the song was written outside Tadoussac, QC, a beautiful town that sits on a fjord famous for its beluga whales, and one of the best places in the world to view stars and the Milky Way. The pizzicato strings and long arched notes from the cello and fiddle give a sense of endless wonders on long summer evenings. Lastly, the title track Dream on Sally began as an attempt at a four chord wonder and sing along. The lyrics are about the human condition and our impossible satiation. It concisely sums up the album, and speaks of moving forward, dreaming and never being satisfied.
The album was recorded over a three month tour in Scotland, Nova Scotia and Quebec in 2019. Recorded on the Isle of Mull, Scotland by Gordon Maclean and then at two self-recorded Canadian sessions: First of all at their home studio in Montreal and secondly at a residency in Conquerall Mills, Nova Scotia (listen out for background crickets!). The production harkens back to Ewan's bluegrass and funk experiences, recorded for the most part live off the floor. As such there is a raw energy that comes through each track and a deeper intimacy between the musicians.
It was mixed and mastered by Montreal producer Pat Steele with help from Ewan Macintyre. As well as the main trio of musicians it also includes guest artists from Montreal and Edinburgh including Antoine Larocque on accordion, Ian Belcourt on Bass, Alex Auldsmith on percussion and Dana Babineau- Burns and Amanda Gibeau on vocals.
For more information and the latest tour dates, please visit
www.ewan-macintyre.org
For all UK 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
Since his emigration to Canada in 2014, Ex-lead singer/ songwriter of award winning Edinburgh Bluegrass band The Southern Tenant Folk Union, Scottish soul man Ewan Macintyre has been developing his own individual transatlantic roots style. Having produced two albums in Montreal, his latest venture Dream on Sally features a core group of Quebec cellist Karine Bouchard and Scottish fiddle player Peter Menzies, with Ewan primarily on Guitar/ Vox/ Mandolin. The trio met at traditional sessions in Montreal, QC and Edinburgh, Scotland and came together formally in March 2018 for a tour of Denmark and Germany.
Ewan draws heavily upon the great cross roads of early American music (where styles of soul, swing, blues and country collided). All this, together in a hot soup of Celtic/ Bluegrass and a dash of Prog rock and 90's R'n'B and behold, you have the Ewan Macintyre Band's sound. Ewan’s writing over the new album is heavily inspired by his musicians, building lush string arrangements around his vocal delivery.
Each track represents a unique element of Ewan’s songwriting and taste. Tracks Same Story (Cigarette Butts) and Keep your Eyes explore his pop songs, featuring hooks and choruses whilst continually progressing harmonically though far from main stream material.
Track three Each to their Own is a subtle ode to Doctor Johns Such a Night, though lyrically tells the story of an unfortunate experience picking up an overzealous hitch-hiker on the road between Ottawa and Montreal. Tracks Muckle Mooth and Breaks n Waves showcase a more Celtic flair often found in the bands live shows, the former particularly allowing Peter to really rock out on the fiddle. Pieces is similarly a more complex harmonic exploration with nods to the Beatles and classic songs God Bless the Child and Bill Evans Someday my Prince Will Come. Bright lights and Pictures bring us back to a more meandering guitar song, the song was written outside Tadoussac, QC, a beautiful town that sits on a fjord famous for its beluga whales, and one of the best places in the world to view stars and the Milky Way. The pizzicato strings and long arched notes from the cello and fiddle give a sense of endless wonders on long summer evenings. Lastly, the title track Dream on Sally began as an attempt at a four chord wonder and sing along. The lyrics are about the human condition and our impossible satiation. It concisely sums up the album, and speaks of moving forward, dreaming and never being satisfied.
The album was recorded over a three month tour in Scotland, Nova Scotia and Quebec in 2019. Recorded on the Isle of Mull, Scotland by Gordon Maclean and then at two self-recorded Canadian sessions: First of all at their home studio in Montreal and secondly at a residency in Conquerall Mills, Nova Scotia (listen out for background crickets!). The production harkens back to Ewan's bluegrass and funk experiences, recorded for the most part live off the floor. As such there is a raw energy that comes through each track and a deeper intimacy between the musicians.
It was mixed and mastered by Montreal producer Pat Steele with help from Ewan Macintyre. As well as the main trio of musicians it also includes guest artists from Montreal and Edinburgh including Antoine Larocque on accordion, Ian Belcourt on Bass, Alex Auldsmith on percussion and Dana Babineau- Burns and Amanda Gibeau on vocals.
For more information and the latest tour dates, please visit
www.ewan-macintyre.org
For all UK 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
