Biography
Hailing from Canada, the Washboard Union specialize in an upbeat, melodic brand of country that weaves in folk influences along with a trace of gritty edge. The group came together through David Roberts on vocals, washboard, and harmonica, Aaron Grain handling vocals and guitar, and Chris Duncombe on vocals and banjo. Grain and Duncombe first crossed paths at age 15 while growing up in Kelowna, British Columbia. Their initial encounter risked tension, since Chris’s father was seeing Aaron’s mother, yet shared musical interests quickly drew them close. Once their parents wed, the pair became stepbrothers and, in 2010, relocated to Vancouver to test their prospects in a larger market.
They secured rooms inside a former Tudor-style mansion turned apartment complex. Another resident there, David Roberts, soon joined their circle, and the three began frequent jamming sessions that produced new material. Performing initially as Run GMC, the trio later grew into a seven-piece ensemble by adding guitarists James Baldwin and Craig McCaul, bassist Evan Bates, and drummer Brendan Krieg. Fiddler Dougal McLean, drummer Matt Van Dyke, and bassist Scott Paulley also spent time in the lineup. Roberts, Grain, and Duncombe stayed at the creative center, steering the band toward a loyal audience on the Vancouver club circuit.
In 2012 the ensemble, now called the Washboard Union, issued its self-titled debut album. High-profile assistance shaped the sessions: mutual contacts introduced the band to GGGarth Richardson, known for work with Rage Against the Machine and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who took on production duties. Bob Ezrin, whose résumé includes landmark recordings with Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, and Kiss, contributed to the track “Half Cree.” The release performed solidly across Canada and helped establish the group as a prominent act on the domestic country circuit.
The Washboard Union signed with Slaight Music, a Warner Music Canada affiliate, and headed to Nashville, Tennessee, to cut their major-label debut under producer Trey Bruce. The outcome was the 2015 EP In My Bones, which yielded two domestic hits: “Some Day” climbed to number 38 on the Canadian country chart, and its successor, “Maybe It’s the Moonshine,” reached number ten.
They secured rooms inside a former Tudor-style mansion turned apartment complex. Another resident there, David Roberts, soon joined their circle, and the three began frequent jamming sessions that produced new material. Performing initially as Run GMC, the trio later grew into a seven-piece ensemble by adding guitarists James Baldwin and Craig McCaul, bassist Evan Bates, and drummer Brendan Krieg. Fiddler Dougal McLean, drummer Matt Van Dyke, and bassist Scott Paulley also spent time in the lineup. Roberts, Grain, and Duncombe stayed at the creative center, steering the band toward a loyal audience on the Vancouver club circuit.
In 2012 the ensemble, now called the Washboard Union, issued its self-titled debut album. High-profile assistance shaped the sessions: mutual contacts introduced the band to GGGarth Richardson, known for work with Rage Against the Machine and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who took on production duties. Bob Ezrin, whose résumé includes landmark recordings with Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, and Kiss, contributed to the track “Half Cree.” The release performed solidly across Canada and helped establish the group as a prominent act on the domestic country circuit.
The Washboard Union signed with Slaight Music, a Warner Music Canada affiliate, and headed to Nashville, Tennessee, to cut their major-label debut under producer Trey Bruce. The outcome was the 2015 EP In My Bones, which yielded two domestic hits: “Some Day” climbed to number 38 on the Canadian country chart, and its successor, “Maybe It’s the Moonshine,” reached number ten.
Albums
Singles
