Formed in Canmore in 2013, with each release Elk Run & Riot have consistently built on their strength—three and four-part harmonies and a no-nonsense group mentality reminiscent of The Band. Since releasing their 3rd album, Animalia, in early 2018, Elk Run & Riot have been tearing up western Canada, and in the process winning over scores of new fans with their high-energy brand of alternative folk. Their 4th studio album Morning Light is set to be released on January 31st, 2020. Morning Light was written by Ryan Schepens (vocals/guitar), Andrew Cotter (vocals/bass/guitar) and Brian Bailey (mandolin/bass) in one night in a cabin in Golden, BC. The guys went on a songwriting retreat for a night to come up with new material and ended up with enough songs for an entire album! Morning Light touches on things like addiction, love/friends lost, growing up, the many times they’ve been crammed in the back of a Dodge Caravan for weeks and months at a time just trying to make a name for themselves, and much more. The album’s first single and title track ‘Morning Light’ is out now on all digital music platforms.
Name: Ryan Schepen, vocalist/guitarist from Elk Run & Riot
Genre: Indie Folk/Rock
Founded: 2013
# of Albums: 3 soon to be 4
Latest Release: Morning Light – full album coming Jan 31st, 2020.
Latest Single: ‘Castle Wolf’
Latest Video: We haven’t released any videos for the new album yet, but here’s the link to our new single ‘Castle Wolf’!
Favourite Local Restaurant: Ten Foot Henry, Anju.
Favourite band as a teenager: Third Eye Blind
Favourite band now: Tyler Childers, Kathleen Edwards, Blue Rodeo, Northcote, early Attack in Black.
Guilty Pleasure Song: Ed Sheehan – Barcelona
Live Show Ritual: Pre show soak in the nearest hot tub!
Favourite local artist: Chad VanGaalen, Miesha & The Spanks, Crooked Spies, Greg Albright.
Nose Hill or Fish Creek?? Nose Hill
EP or LP? LP
Early bird or night owl?
Early bird…I have cats…and they don’t like sleeping in.
Road or studio?
It’s the road for me! I love being in the studio too, but playing in front of an audience is where I really feel at home. Getting to travel all over this beautiful country doing what we love is pretty awesome!!
Where can we follow you?
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and our website!
Any shows or albums coming up?
Feb 14th – Field, BC – Field Community Centre
Feb 28th – Banff, AB – Banff Legion
March 7th – Panorama Resort, BC – T-Bar & Grill
March 21st – Castle Mountain Resort, AB – Beats In The Base
March 27th – Revelstoke, BC – The Last Drop
April 3rd – Calgary, AB – Ironwood Stage & Grill
Our new album Morning Light comes out on Jan 31, 2020. Follow us on Spotify, so you don’t miss it!
