Podcast Summary: "Music Saved Me with The Trues – Showcasing the Power of Creating"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Takin' a Walk
• Host: iHeartPodcasts (Hosted by Buzz Knight)
• Episode Title: Music Saved Me with The Trues – Showcasing the Power of Creating
• Release Date: August 6, 2025

1. Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of "Takin' a Walk," Buzz Knight welcomes Colin McDonald and John Angus McDonald, two pivotal members of The Trues, one of Canada's most electrifying rock bands. Celebrating over two decades in the music industry, The Trues have shared stages with legendary acts like Springsteen, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Kiss, and Guns N' Roses. With multiple awards and platinum certifications under their belt, they boast over 100 million streams worldwide.

2. Achieving Success with "The Breakdown"

The conversation kicks off with Lynne Hoffman congratulating The Trues on their latest singles from the upcoming album, "The Bloody Light." Currently, their single "The Breakdown" is topping rock radio charts across Canada.

John Angus McDonald shares his feelings about the song's success:

"It almost feels even better now because it feels like, you know, people still care after all these years and that's always really great."
[04:41]

Colin McDonald echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the band's continued relevance and the deep connection with their fans.

Bob Crawford adds:

"To get back there speaks to a couple things. The support of our fans and the support of the industry, and then the fact that we've kept up a, you know, a fairly high level of albums too."
[05:52]

3. The Power of Music: Personal Stories

Lynne Hoffman delves into personal experiences of how music served as a lifeline for both herself and The Trues.

Colin McDonald recounts:

"I think that's what led me to want to do this for a living and do it because it has brought me back from the brink."
[06:19]

He highlights the therapeutic aspect of music, mentioning how songs like "Clay Pigeons" by Blaze Foley and John Prine versions provided immense comfort during tough times.

Bob Crawford shares his teenage struggles:

"Every day I'd get home from school and play all four cassettes and my headphones front to back. And it just kept me connected to, like, my old life or to, you know, just brought me incredible comfort when I was pretty lonely and out of sorts."
[08:48]

4. Band Dynamics and Family

The Trues operate not just as bandmates but as brothers, adding a unique dynamic to their collaboration. Lynne probes into how this familial bond influences their journey.

John Angus McDonald explains:

"It's kind of our entire lives and a lot of the way our lives shaped up because we've been doing this for a very long time."
[11:03]

Bob Crawford reflects on growing up together:

"You start it when you're in. Well, at least in our case, you start it as a teenager... we've been pretty good like that."
[13:52]

5. Songwriting and Creative Process

The Trues emphasize a collaborative and open approach to songwriting, which has been pivotal to their longevity.

Colin McDonald states:

"I write every day almost out of it is like therapy to me just to create."
[16:06]

He elaborates on how daily writing fosters creativity, allowing ideas to evolve organically within the band.

Bob Crawford adds:

"Sometimes you need that... that's the nature of being in a band. And if you didn't want that, then you have to be a solo artist."
[19:13]

6. Impact on Fans and Music's Healing Power

The episode highlights profound interactions between The Trues and their fans, showcasing music's ability to heal and connect.

Colin McDonald shares a touching story:

"A gentleman said he just got over cancer and listened to 'The Breakdown' every day for months. It really helped him."
[30:28]

Bob Crawford reflects on their song "Highway of Heroes":

"It's just proof of how powerful music can be in truly, especially in moments like that."
[31:23]

7. Navigating Mental Health in the Music Industry

Addressing the pressures of fame and constant touring, The Trues discuss their strategies for maintaining mental well-being.

Josh Clark reveals:

"I've been sober for four and a couple months. I meditate, exercise, read, and write to stay grounded."
[22:07]

Bob Crawford shares his coping mechanisms:

"I keep myself very busy. I like to have a lot of projects on the go... but I'll probably have a breakdown at some point in the future."
[22:57]

They emphasize the importance of creative outlets and staying active to manage stress and anxiety.

8. Mentors and Inspirations

The Trues credit several mentors who played significant roles in their development and success.

Bob Crawford mentions:

"Ian McDonald really informed our playing style in our teens... Blair Seaboia believed in our band and let us jam at his house."
[25:57]

He also highlights the influence of their business mentor, Larry Wanagast, and their idolization of The Tragically Hip, who later became mentors themselves:

"They became mentors in a way too. So it never really ends really in that way."
[27:32]

9. Upcoming Album "The Bloody Light"

The discussion shifts to their forthcoming album, "The Bloody Light," which centers on themes of hope, resilience, and healing.

Josh Clark explains:

"The message we have is, yep, it's not easy... but we're still going to try to make music and move forward and move through it together."
[33:51]

Bob Crawford adds:

"There's a totality to it. If you could have played that for our band when we were first starting, I'd have been like, you're gonna write this song in, like, 25 years."
[35:08]

10. Concluding Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, Buzz Knight thanks The Trues for their inspiring conversation. Lynne Hoffman leaves the listeners with a powerful takeaway:

"We are all more alike than we are different. So chances are when you're making this incredible music and writing these words, they're gonna stick with a lot of people."
[32:34]

The Trues express gratitude for the opportunity to share their journey and reaffirm their commitment to creating music that resonates deeply with their audience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Colin McDonald: "I think that's what led me to want to do this for a living and do it because it has brought me back from the brink."
  [06:19]

• Bob Crawford: "To get back there speaks to a couple things. The support of our fans and the support of the industry, and then the fact that we've kept up a, you know, a fairly high level of albums too."
  [05:52]

• Josh Clark: "I've been sober for four and a couple months. I meditate, exercise, read, and write to stay grounded."
  [22:07]

• Colin McDonald: "I write every day almost out of it is like therapy to me just to create."
  [16:06]

• Bob Crawford: "We've kept things together by not taking things too personally and letting the music be more important than any one of us."
  [12:50]

Conclusion

This episode of "Takin' a Walk" offers an intimate glimpse into The Trues’ enduring journey in the music industry. Through personal anecdotes, reflections on their creative process, and stories from their dedicated fan base, Colin and John Angus McDonald illuminate the profound impact music can have on both artists and listeners. Their discussion serves as a testament to the healing power of music, the strength of familial bonds within a band, and the relentless pursuit of artistic excellence.

Listen to "Music Saved Me with The Trues – Showcasing the Power of Creating" on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast platform.