Musicians begin Townhall Revival with a new Back Porch

Question: When is a folk song not a folk song? Answer: When its writer playing acoustic with his buddies breaks a string and grabs an electric guitar. Then it’s a rock song.

Question: When is a folk song not a folk song?

Answer: When its writer playing acoustic with his buddies breaks a string and grabs an electric guitar. Then it’s a rock song.

“I had written Back Porch as a very traditional folk-based song on an acoustic,” says Leigh Coltman, singer for a new local band Townhall Revival. “But when I picked up the electric guitar, it got rearranged.”

Sarnia born and raised, Coltman, has performed solo and in folk/bluegrass bands for years but is now playing rock as Townhall Revival’s lead singer.

“Everyone contributed their part to Back Porch. We added a new verse, took the bridge out, and replaced it with a wicked guitar solo,” he said.

The rearranged Back Porch set the tone for more songs the group wrote over the past year on Zoom.

What started as a little assistance from the guys on an EP Coltman was working on morphed into a full-on collaboration with Tyler Smith on drums, Braden Ruckle on guitar and Mason Stewart on bass.

“I was just at the right place at the right time,” said Coltman.

That says a lot, given the challenge of forming a band with original tunes during a pandemic. The songs were written online, with the four musicians recording their parts separately in home studios and sending them to Stewart to mix.

Townhall Revival was invited to create a music video to go with Back Porch which, as Coltman explains, is a song about the journey of getting older and raising a family.

Audio-visual tech Jason Green at PA Shop Productions in London recorded the band playing in a huge space that allowed for physical distancing.

“He took a bunch of B-roll footage as well and put this great video together with a professional camera crew and video editor Rory Flores,” said Smith.

Back Porch is being released this week on just about every online music platform you can think of. The video is expected to follow shortly.

Also appearing on Back Porch is Sarnia’s Matt Gordon who laid down a mix of organ and keys for the song.

By late last year, it was clear that Smith, Ruckle, Stewart and Coltman were enjoying the collaboration and wanted to form a rock band.

The tricky job of finding a name fell to Stewart who was inspired as he drove to rehearsal one day.

“I was passing an old townhall and thought about how these are buildings where good healthy debate and open discussion is encouraged. That’s what we want in our band.

“It’s foolish to say a band is a democracy but, at the end of the day, everyone gets a say. This is a band where we all write together. It’s awesome.”

He added “Revival” to signify this band is bringing something “more fresh and exciting” to the stage.

“Besides, it has a nice ring to it,” said Stewart.

The members of Townhall Revival look forward to a time when they can play their first live gig. Until then, they’re looking to release more singles after Back Porch.

————————————————————————-

The Arts Journal is about Sarnia’s cultural and entertainment life. Send your ideas to [email protected].