Hitting stage after stage with a fired-up energy that defines them at every turn, the Penticton-based Hillside Outlaws are among the headlining bands at this year's Ponoka Stampede.
Having originally formed about 10 years ago as a four-piece, the band today features lead singer/guitarist Louis Bigras and lead guitarist Langley Jackson.
Since the band's inception, they've released Country Jukebox in 2018, which has been followed by a plethora of successful singles from Buckle Up and the rollicking Beer is Essential, to Didn't Have Dirt, Girls in Trucks and their latest cut So Long - a slowed down, thoughtful piece of sonic perfection.
Something Bout Summer also made quite the impression being a top downloaded tune at radio, and 'most active indie' on multiple occasions in the weeks following its 2021 release.
Looking back, the band came to be after Bigras won his division of the Road to Rockin’ River Talent Contest, and was chosen to perform at the festival.
"That just kind of got the bug in me - that I wanted to perform onstage, and make music," he said.
He then began collaborating with drummer Erik Galata and bassist Carlos Jimnez before Jackson signed on.
"Langley came to me one day, and he said, 'I've done all of the cover bands and such. It's fun, but I really want to focus on creating original music'. I said that was exactly what I wanted to do as well. So we wrote a bunch of songs that turned into that first record.
"It just kind of flourished from there. We started playing a bunch of shows, and we joined the B.C. Country Music Association, too," he said.
From there, they met their first producer, recorded Country Jukebox, and landed a few nominations along the way.
Since those days, Galata and Jimnez have both moved on. And so it's a duo these days - and a powerful, gifted one at that.
"Langley and I re-branded as a duo, and we hooked up with Jeff Johnson who is our new producer now, and who lives about an hour and a half away, so it's very convenient to go and record there. He's a prolific writer, too.
"So we would go there and write songs with Jeff, and he would produce them. A lot of our sound, from 2020 until now, has been a journey with Jeff - finding our sound, and finding our voice."
It's been a growing stream of gigs ever since - the guys performed in the Showdown Dance Hall at last year's Stampede, and couldn't be happier to be included in the 2025 main stage line-up.
"Hearing we had been offered a spot on the main stage is really awesome."
For Bigras, he was essentially immersed in music from day one.
"My Dad was from a large family of French Canadians, and he played pretty much every instrument under the sun - but mostly guitar. Ever since I can remember, everyone would gather around, bring their instruments, and every single one of my aunts and uncles played."
It was pretty much all country, too.
"Lots of Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr. and Sr. A lot of the old country music. When I was nine, my Dad got me my first guitar, which I still have," he added with a laugh.
"It's hanging up in my studio."
Through his school years, Bigras also loved theatre classes - which ultimately helped to pave the way for hitting the stage today.
"I loved every part of performing - not necessarily just music. I liked putting on a show, and building the sets. I was really involved all through high school with that kind of thing."
It influences the guys's shows today.
"Our shows are really high energy - there are lots of twists and turns. We also focus a lot on theatrics," he said.
"I've always said, when we were playing bars, that I wanted to bring a 'Nickleback concert experience' to whatever stage we were playing on! I guess that has been our mission statement."
As to country, Bigras said its intrinsic diversity is a major draw.
"If you aren't rock enough for rock, there is a spot for you in country. There's an amalgamation of all genres that come together - and as long as you are telling a good story, there is a space for you.
"For me, artistically, it means there is room for me to express myself in anyway that feels right. I don't have to conform to any kind of standard of 'this is what country is'. I know there is a lot of debate. But I don't think it really matters - as long as you are doing what makes sense to you.
"Country is a home for me artistically."
For ticket information, head to www.ponokastampede.com.
