It feels somehow wrong to be writing an introducing piece on a band who have been together for 10 years. Yet that is how long Vancouver’s The Buttless Chaps have been producing their distinctive, emotional Canadiana. Having earned themselves a reputation as a hard touring band, earlier this year they played a tenth anniversary show which was broadcast nationally in Canada for CBC Concerts on Demand.

Led by Dave Gowans brooding baritone (think somewhere between a less tremulous Stuart Staples and The National’s Matt Berninger), The Buttless Chaps spin tales of rural versus urban alienation, harnessing the spacey melancholy of post millennial albums such as ‘OK Computer’ or ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ and combining it with their perfectly orchestrated mix of acoustic alt. country and electronic swells, with the odd horn section thrown in here and there for good measure. Gowans’ lyrics perfectly capture the ill-ease of the country boy alone in the big city, and the expanse of the countryside. TLOBF had a virtual cup of coffee to talk over the how and whys of the Buttless Chaps with the bands affable frontman. Continue Reading