B-Side Guys

From the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba emerges a sound as vast and unvarnished as the Canadian prairies themselves. The Prairie Joggers, the duo of Cody Goertzen (guitar/vocals) and Adam Hill (drums), are set to release their debut full-length album, “Weight of It,” on October 4, 2024. This 10-track, 32-minute journey through life’s ups and downs promises to be a raw, intimate exploration of aging, loss, and the bittersweet nature of human connections.

Recorded in the comfort of their basement home studio, “Weight of It” eschews polish in favor of authenticity. The album’s production choices – from the deliberate inclusion of microphone bleed to the sizzle of a bathtub drain chain – create a sonic landscape that feels lived-in and deeply personal. It’s as if listeners are being invited into The Prairie Joggers’ most private jam sessions, where the line between performance and conversation blurs.

The album kicks off with “Runner,” setting the tone for what’s to come. Goertzen’s warm electric guitar intertwines with Hill’s dampened drums, creating a thick, vintage sound that serves as the perfect backdrop for their storytelling. The track’s raw vocals and minimalist instrumentation immediately establish The Prairie Joggers’ aesthetic – one that values emotional resonance over technical flash.

“Do You Need Me” follows, its title hinting at the themes of connection and dependency that run throughout the album. The Prairie Joggers excel at crafting lyrics that are both deeply personal and universally relatable, a skill that’s on full display here.

The album’s title track, “Weight of It,” stands as its emotional centerpiece. Inspired by the band’s experiences playing in care and retirement homes, the song grapples with the inevitability of aging and the physical and mental toll it takes. “It’s been a gentle warning to put a little more care into our lives,” Hill notes, and this sense of urgent appreciation for the present moment permeates the track.

“Holding Me Down” and “Second Season” form the album’s middle section, exploring the complexities of relationships and the passage of time. The Prairie Joggers’ ability to blend melancholy with hope shines through here, with melodies that linger long after the songs end.

“Moonlit Road” serves as a sonic departure, its title evoking images of late-night drives and moments of solitary reflection. The track showcases The Prairie Joggers’ versatility, proving that their minimalist approach doesn’t equate to a lack of musical range.

“Take It Or Leave It” and “Leona” continue the album’s exploration of human connections. The former feels like an ultimatum set to music, while the latter paints a vivid character portrait, adding to the album’s rich tapestry of stories and emotions.

As the album nears its conclusion, “Knock On Wood” injects a note of superstition and uncertainty. It’s a reminder that even as we age and gain experience, life remains unpredictable and sometimes frightening.

The album closes with “High and Rambling,” a fitting title for a song that seems to encapsulate The Prairie Joggers’ ethos. There’s a sense of aimless wandering, but also of elevation – of rising above life’s challenges even as we stumble through them.

What sets “Weight of It” apart is its unflinching honesty. The Prairie Joggers don’t shy away from the darker aspects of existence – loneliness, loss, missed opportunities – but they also find beauty and meaning in these experiences. Their lyrics paint pictures of “fast love and heartbreak at a motel in Memphis” and “hazy nights at a bowling alley in South Osborne,” creating a vivid tableau of life’s highs and lows.

The duo’s decision to self-produce the album adds to its intimacy. There’s no barrier between the artists and their audience, no glossy sheen to distract from the emotional core of the songs. This DIY approach extends to their live performances, which are known for their charismatic energy and ability to transform any space – be it a care home or a raucous club – into a site of shared experience.

Sonically, “Weight of It” sits comfortably in the folk-rock tradition, but The Prairie Joggers bring a uniquely gritty edge to the genre. Their sound is reminiscent of early Bruce Springsteen or The War on Drugs, but with a distinctly Canadian flavor. The warmth of Goertzen’s electric guitar provides a counterpoint to the often bleak lyrical themes, creating a tension that keeps listeners engaged throughout the album’s runtime.

As The Prairie Joggers prepare to launch “Weight of It” with a release show at Winnipeg’s Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club on October 5th, followed by a two-week western tour, there’s a sense that this album marks the beginning of something special. It’s a debut that feels both fresh and timeless, rooted in personal experience but reaching for universal truths.

For fans of thoughtful, stripped-down folk-rock, “Weight of It” promises to be an essential listen. It’s an album that doesn’t just acknowledge the difficulties of life, but finds meaning and even joy in them. As Goertzen and Hill remind us through their music, there’s beauty to be found in the struggle, in the weight of our experiences and relationships.

As the final notes of “High and Rambling” fade away, listeners are left with a sense of having journeyed alongside The Prairie Joggers – through dimly lit basements and retirement homes, down moonlit roads and into the heart of what it means to be human. “Weight of It” may be heavy at times, but it’s a weight worth carrying, a reminder of the richness and complexity of life in all its messy glory.

The Prairie Joggers have crafted a debut album that serves as both a time capsule of their experiences and a mirror reflecting our own. As they set out on their tour, bringing these songs to life in venues across Western Canada, one can’t help but feel that this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful musical journey. “Weight of It” is not just an album title – it’s an invitation to embrace life in all its fullness, to acknowledge its burdens while celebrating its joys.