Good things are happening for local music group YoungFellas.
Andrew Galloway, Jordan Galloway, Dalton Case and Dane Blacquiere, known collectively as YoungFellas just finished playing one of their favourite music festivals, Alberta’s Own, and are looking forward to some big developments about to happen with the group.
“(Alberta’s Own) is one of the most fun shows I think that we have ever played,” said Andrew, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist for the group. “Everyone there is just a big music supporter. There’s not a lot of people, but the people who are there really count.”
Case agreed. “It was the best weekend of my life, it really was,” said the lead guitarist and backup vocalist. “I had a wild time.”
YoungFellas play later this month at the Slumland Theatre in Red Deer on Sept. 21st for the Ronald McDonald House Little Rock Stars show.
Meanwhile, Jordan said the Alberta’s Own festival serves as a good get-together with other bands as well. He said that while playing in different places throughout the year, the group gets to meet a lot of people but don’t see them often. However, they are all together at Alberta’s Own.
Andrew said the group has attended the festival for a number of years. He added they have always been involved in some way, whether it be playing with different groups, working security or doing film work for other bands.
“We haven’t missed this festival since we were old enough to know what it was,” said Andrew.
A fairly young band, YoungFellas has been together for just over two years, though the members have known each other and been playing for much longer. Andrew and Jordan are brothers and all four of the members where in high school at the same time.
“We’ve grown up pretty close together,” said Andrew.
Case and Andrew formed the group when they both moved back to Lacombe at the same time.
Neither was playing in a group at the time and so they decided to jam together after meeting by chance for the first time in a few years. Jordan and Blacquiere soon joined the jam sessions and the group was formed.
One year ago, YoungFellas caught a big break when they won Rock 104’s Rockstar Search Battle of the Bands. The prize of the competition was a free recording session for one song and the chance to open for Prism at the Rock 104 birthday bash.
YoungFellas actually paid to have a second song recorded as well. Jordan, bassist and backup vocalist for the group, said that opportunity was a big deal because it allows potential venues to hear them before booking and airtime grants them some exposure as well.
“We got lucky with that because to have your music played on radio regularly it needs to be professionally mastered by someone who is already established in the industry,” added Andrew.
“So many young bands we know are really talented but they can’t afford that music production.”
Like most musicians, YoungFellas has faced obstacles and struggled to be successful in the music industry. Case said all the members have made sacrifices for the benefit of the band, some even quitting jobs when work schedules conflicted with shows.
“We know that this is going to be more fun and more worth it in the end than just going to your day job,” said Case.
“Who needs a house when you have a good band?” added Andrew with a laugh.
But the group has enjoyed some success.
They have worked hard, made connections and had a few lucky breaks that have helped them out.
One such opportunity has led the group to begin recording their first album in October.
Andrew said a friend of his has allowed them a heavy discount for studio space and the band is excited to start recording.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Jordan, adding that the band wanted to record the album earlier but wasn’t able to because they lacked the time and the money. However, there is no time like the present.
“It’s a good time to record (these songs) - they are so tight because we have been playing them for two years,” said Jordan.
Andrew said coming out with their first album should be a big boost for YoungFellas. He added that the band experienced most of its growth after its first two singles had been recorded so he predicts a similar, but bigger outcome once YoungFellas have an entire album.
The guys said their sound is mostly rock n’ roll, with just a little bit of country twang. Andrew said it’s not enough to make them country rock, but said their sound could be described as “rural rock.”
YoungFellas are also looking to expand the band a bit to include some more instruments. Most of the members, Jordan in particular, play a number of other instruments as well as the ones they play in the group so there are many opportunities for new sounds
“There’s always one of us who is late, so someone else will just play their instrument,” said Andrew.