Since releasing their self-titled debut album in 2020, The Lucky Ones have quickly come to be regarded as one of Canada’s finest roots music ensembles. Hailing from the Yukon, the group’s sound is built on a foundation of traditional bluegrass and honky tonk, but expressed through the distinctive songwriting of its core members, singer/guitarist Ian Smith, singer/guitarist JD McCallen, singer/mandolinist Ryan James West, singer/fiddler Kieran Poile, upright bassist Jeff Dinely and banjo/pedal steel player Ryan McNally.
The Lucky Ones’ sophomore album Slow Dance, Square Dance, Barn Dance — available now on Bandcamp and theluckyonesmusic.com — continues to see that sound evolve on nine new original tunes that showcase the band’s wide-ranging musical chops and unique personalities, augmented by guests musicians Aaron P. Burnie on banjo, Hayley Warden on upright bass, Akilena Jóhansson on accordion and backing vocalist Jo Lane Dillman.
Recorded over a four-day span at the Anglican Cathedral of the Diocese of Yukon, on the traditional territory of the Ta’an Kwach’an Council and Kwanlin Dün First Nations, Slow Dance, Square Dance, Barn Dance alternately conveys all the atmosphere of an intimate live performance, or a raucous night out on the tiles.
In a group statement, they explain, “The songwriting on this album reflects more of the sound we’ve been leaning towards since making the first one. It’s more grounded and honest. We think that is a draw of this music; no frills, only honest old-time hillbilly music with a Yukon twist.”
The Lucky Ones have dedicated Slow Dance, Square Dance, Barn Dance to their friend and mentor Joe Loutchan, aka The Fiddler on the Loose, who passed away in 2021. It was a big blow to the band personally, as Loutchan held court at the famous 98 Hotel in Whitehorse, hosting “Fiddle Night” every Thursday since 1982. In recent years, The Lucky Ones covered for Joe, allowing he and his wife some summer vacation time. Since his passing, the band has fully assumed Loutchan’s residency and have done their best to honour his memory by adding more traditional fiddle tunes to their repertoire.
It’s another shining example of how the tight-knit Yukon music community spans generations, with The Lucky Ones, in many ways, now at the centre of it.
