Secondhand Dreamcar is a nine-piece soul/roots superband fronted by Canadian Folk Music Award-nominee Dana Wylie and also featuring notable producer Harry Gregg on bass, Jamie Cooper (Up and Over Trio, Obsessions Octet) on drums, Kyle Mosiuk (The Hello Darlins) and Chad Murphy (Dallas Smith) on guitar, Rooster Davis on organ, and a horn section led by Dave Babcock. This group of Alberta heavies is crafting a distinct, funky, and lyrically driven sound that journalist and programmer Peter North has deemed the most exciting thing to come out of Edmonton since KD Lang and The Reclines.
“Eight of Spades” is the group’s first ever release, and it’s a song about finding satisfaction in whatever life has to offer at any given moment, and about watching someone struggle in that dance with life and loving them for it. The song’s title refers to the tarot card the Eight of Pentacles, which encompasses the joy that can be taken in mundane work and activities, in everyday life.
“Lyrically, our songs deal with the nitty-gritty of the work of life, from a spiritual perspective. Because I believe that if there is a reason we are all here living a life, it is because there is something we are supposed to learn,” says lyricist Dana Wylie. “Musically, we work to engender joy in collaboration, collectivity, collegiality. We love writing and playing music together, and our songs are an embodiment of that.”
What can you share with readers about your new project?
This single (“Eight of Spades”) is the first release from our debut album Answer the Call, which will be out in October. Although we’re a new band, we’re all veterans of the music scene and have been involved with dozens of recording projects over the past couple of decades. We think this band, and this recording project, are special – the kind of musical chemistry and magic that comes along once in a lifetime.
How does this release compare with your other projects you had in the past?
This is our first release as a band, but for some of our individual members this is a bit of a sonic departure from previous work. For example, our front person Dana Wylie has put out a half a dozen solo albums that can reasonably be described as folk, our drummer Jamie Cooper has been involved with multiple jazz projects, and our bassist Harry Gregg is a producer who has made records in a number of genres. None of us have been involved with something quite like this before, and we believe our respective experience in multiple genres has allowed us to bring something unique to the old-school rootsy soul that we all love.
What about this single makes you most proud?
The song “Eight of Spades” is a true product of collaboration, and the first song that we co-wrote as a band. It started with a chorus hook that Dana had come up with, but it truly has the creative stamp of every member of the band in some way. We’re also proud that the song has something meaty and real to offer to close listeners of lyrics, while also being catchy as all get out.
Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?
As our first release, this is our big hello to the world. We feel like it’s a great introduction to us – a way for us to say “Here we are, and this is what we’re all about.”
What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?
We’re all in this for the long game; as individuals we’ve been making our living at music in various capacities for a long time. We love what we do. And we know that we’re among the lucky few, to love our jobs as much as we do. That is, in fact, what this song is about.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
If there’s any band we can safely say we’re influenced by, in terms of ethos as much as sound, it’s the Tedeschi Trucks Band. They represent and embody exactly the kind of joy in musical collaboration that inspires us, and they are also among the best musicians out there today. To collaborate with them would be a profound and humbling honour, as well as a dream come true.
What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?
Ha, see above!
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
People can find us and see what we’re up to on our website – https://secondhanddreamcar.com/ – and we’re also on FB, IG, and YouTube (@secondhanddreamcar) and TikTok (@secondhand.dreamcar)
I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before we sign off?
I don’t think so! Thank you for the great questions!
