The Long Haul

                     The core members of the Long Haul originally crossed paths somewhere out in the West end of Toronto post-NHL lockout.  From Calgary AB, Mahone Bay NS, Port Perry Ont, and the big smoke itself these widespread Canadians starting making personal and musical friendships branching from their communal love for music rooted in Country, Rock, and Folk. After bandleader, Matthew Bailey, cemented these individuals into one group they began booking shows in and around the big city that is now home for them. They started regularly performing in some of Toronto’s hidden gems like Not My Dog and Graffitis in the summer of 2009 where they cut their teeth and started to carve out "The Long Haul" sound. Even though they were starting to turn the heads of some of Toronto's biggest roots music figures they still needed something to bring their sound togther into one coherent package. Finally they found what they were looking for and added the solid backbeat of Joshua VanTassel in fall of 2009 which solidified the bands lineup and added that missing piece of the puzzle the group needed. Keeping the ball rolling they have performed regularly throughout the last year including memorable shows  at Cranstock , a Cameron House front room residency throughout February and March 2010, as well as recently performing at the Horseshoe Tavern for Jadea Kelly’s CD release in April 2010.

          Their sound is likened to the raw qualities heard in groups like "Neil Young & …

                     The core members of the Long Haul originally crossed paths somewhere out in the West end of Toronto post-NHL lockout.  From Calgary AB, Mahone Bay NS, Port Perry Ont, and the big smoke itself these widespread Canadians starting making personal and musical friendships branching from their communal love for music rooted in Country, Rock, and Folk. After bandleader, Matthew Bailey, cemented these individuals into one group they began booking shows in and around the big city that is now home for them. They started regularly performing in some of Toronto’s hidden gems like Not My Dog and Graffitis in the summer of 2009 where they cut their teeth and started to carve out "The Long Haul" sound. Even though they were starting to turn the heads of some of Toronto's biggest roots music figures they still needed something to bring their sound togther into one coherent package. Finally they found what they were looking for and added the solid backbeat of Joshua VanTassel in fall of 2009 which solidified the bands lineup and added that missing piece of the puzzle the group needed. Keeping the ball rolling they have performed regularly throughout the last year including memorable shows  at Cranstock , a Cameron House front room residency throughout February and March 2010, as well as recently performing at the Horseshoe Tavern for Jadea Kelly’s CD release in April 2010.

          Their sound is likened to the raw qualities heard in groups like "Neil Young & Crazy Horse" and "The Band" while still putting importance in the subtleties found in many of North America's most talented songwriters that equally influence the group. After performing together for a year they finally decided it was time to put their music to tape. They recorded their album in various Toronto locations and then brought it all to juno nominated engineer Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case, Blue Rodeo) who glued the whole project together and made the songs really sing. They will be releasing their album in September 2010 followed by an Eastern Canada tour so keep an eye and an ear out! Until then they can be heard scattering the chime of the tambourine and the wail of the harmonica across Toronto & Southern Ontario.