This week we are introducing a new band to The Vinyl District as our artist of the week, Canadian blues-rock duo The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer.
The Harpoonist aka Shawn Hall (lead vocals, harmonica) and The Axe aka Matthew Rogers (guitar, drums, backing vocals) have just finished their first European tour supporting Dr. Dog and XIXA in anticipation of their latest single “Don’t Make ‘em Like They Used To,” which is out on May 6, 2016 via Tonic Records. The single immediately engages you, much like The Black Keys’ “Gold On The Ceiling,” smothered in gritty soul and infectious funk.
The duo met whilst at a recording session for a radio jingle and named their new project after the blues harp reference lyric, “I took my harpoon out of my dirty red bandana” from Kris Kristofferson’s “Bobby Mcgee” and the term “axe” as the common reference to a guitar. The lads have already made a pretty huge splash in their hometown of Vancouver and have played highly energetic shows at SXSW 2013/14, Ottawa Blues Fest, Montreal Jazz Fest, and have shared the stage with Taj Mahal, Booker T. Jones, David Wilcox, and Mother Mother, to name but a few. With their debut European tour now all wrapped up, we’re certain they’ll be making waves across the rest of the globe as well in no time.
“Don’t Make ‘em Like They Used To” is out is out on May 6, 2016 via Tonic Records.
