The Strumbellas

Originating in Toronto, the Juno Award recipients known as the Strumbellas craft an energetic fusion of folk, pop, alt-country, and indie rock. They achieved broad recognition through releases such as the 2012 album My Father and the Hunter and its Juno-winning successor We Still Move on Dance Floors, which followed the next year. The 2016 album Hope, fronted by the hit single "Spirits," allowed the Strumbellas to gain traction south of the border when that track topped Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, while also strengthening their standing at home; Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later selected "One Hand Up" as his campaign song in 2019. Lineup shifts marked the 2020s, yet the band persisted and delivered Part Time Believer in 2024.

Head songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist Simon Ward formed the Strumbellas in 2008 alongside keyboardist/vocalist David Ritter, lead guitarist Jon Hembrey, violinist Isabel Ritchie, bass player Darryl James, and drummer Jeremy Drury. Citing acts like the Lumineers and Mumford & Sons, the collective put out their self-titled debut EP in 2009 and quickly secured prominent concerts and festival appearances. Their initial full-length record, My Father and the Hunter from 2013, earned a Juno nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year, while the Six Shooter Records follow-up We Still Move on Dance Floors brought another nomination in the same category plus their first victory. Hope, the third LP, surfaced in April 2016 on Glassnote and was propelled by the Billboard Alternative Songs chart-topper "Spirits." The year 2017 marked a breakthrough domestically, delivering three Canadian Radio Music Awards, two Canadian Independent Music Awards, and an additional Juno. Much of that period found the group touring Europe, Australia, and the United States, where they performed at the Bonnaroo Festival. Returning to the studio with producer Tim Pagnotta (Walk the Moon, Neon Trees) and co-producer Brian Phillips, the Strumbellas issued the upbeat Rattlesnake in March 2019, again via Glassnote. Although they promoted the album stateside, they remained visible in Canada when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau chose the deep cut "One Hand Up" for his campaign that year.

Simon Ward stepped away from the stage in 2022 to concentrate on songwriting for the band, with Jimmy Chaveau taking his place. The resulting Part Time Believer arrived in 2024 as the first Strumbellas album without Ward on vocals.