"Music Saved Me with The Trews-Showcasing the Power of Creating"

Summary

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.

Transcript

[Josh Clark]

This is an iHeart podcast. The stuff youf Should Know guys have made their own summer playlists of their must listen podcasts on movies. It's me, Josh, and I'd like to welcome you to the Stuff youf Should Know Summer Movie playlist.

[Bob Crawford]

What screams summer more than a nice.

[Josh Clark]

Darkened air conditioned theater and a great.

[Bob Crawford]

Movie playing right in front of you? Episodes on James Bond, special effects, stunt.

[Josh Clark]

Men and women, disaster films, even movies.

[Bob Crawford]

That change filmmaking and many more.

[Josh Clark]

Listen to the Stuff youf Should Know Summer Movie Playlist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Bob Crawford]

I'm Bob Crawford, host of American History.

[Josh Clark]

Hotline, a different type of podcast. You, the listener, ask the questions. Did George Washington really cut down a cherry tree?

[Bob Crawford]

Were JFK and Marilyn Monroe having an affair?

[Josh Clark]

And I find the answers.

[Bob Crawford]

I am so glad you asked me this question.

[Lynne Hoffman]

This is such a ridiculous story.

[Josh Clark]

You can listen to American History Hotline.

[Bob Crawford]

On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Josh Clark]

What's up guys? Welcome to the Agusto Papa podcast. The go to spot for everything. Musica Mexicana. We're proud Mexican Americans who live and breathe this music. We started this podcast to share and discuss our views of music. Whether you like to vibe to Peso Pluma, los alegre del Barranco are El Camacho or put Ivan Cornejo. When you get in feels then this podcast is for you. Well, actually Peso was supposed to be on Chinito's album. The song with Drake was supposed to be with Peso. Listen to Agusto Pa on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Bob Crawford]

It's Black Business Month and black tech green money is tapping in. I'm Will Lucas spotlighting black founders, investors and innovators building the future one idea at a time. Let's talk legacy tech and generational wealth.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I had the skill and I had the talent. I didn't have the opportunity.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah, we all know, right? Genius is evenly distributed.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Opportunity is not to hear this and.

[Bob Crawford]

More on the power of black innovation and ownership. Listen to Black Tech Green money from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Josh Clark]

Don't let biased algorithms or degree screens or exclusive professional networks or stereotypes. Don't let anything keep you from discovering the half of the workforce who are stars workers skill through alternative routes rather than a bachelor's degree. It's time to tear the paper ceiling and see the stars beyond it. Find out how you can make stars part of your talent strategy at tear the papersealing.org brought to you by opportunity at work in the ad council.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Music saved Me.

[Josh Clark]

We just sing about what we're going through and how we're feeling and it resonates with people and I mean, it's incredible. I feel like, humbled by it, I guess.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Welcome to Music Saved Me. I'm Lynne Hoffman and today I'm so excited. We are joined by two members of one of Canada's biggest, most electrifying rock bands, the Trues. For over two decades, they've been delivering powerful songs and unforgettable performances. They've shared the stage globally with the likes of Springsteen and Aerosmith and the Stones and Kiss and Guns N Roses, to name a few. They've won multiple awards and reached platinum status. Congratulations. And their music has been streamed. This just blew me away. Over 100 million streams around the world. When have you ever heard that? That's incredible. On this episode, we will dive deep into the moments when music became more than just a soundtrack for the Truths, when it became a lifeline. We'll hear about the songs that helped them through tough times and how creating and sharing music has shaped their journey and the ways their art has touched the lives of fans around the world. So whether you're a longtime fan of the Truths or just discovering their awesome and uplifting inspiring sound, get ready for an honest, inspiring conversation about the power of music to lift us up, bring us together, and sometimes even, dare I say, save us. Colin McDonald and John Angus, welcome to the Music Save Me podcast. So great to have you guys here.

[Josh Clark]

It's great to be here. Thanks for having us.

[Lynne Hoffman]

First of all, I want to say congratulations because I just found out you've released a couple of singles off of a soon to be released album called the Bloody Light. But currently the Breakdown is number one on rock radio all across Canada. I know that's still going to be a huge feeling for you. Even after being rocking for 20 plus years, it still must be an exciting feeling to reach those heights again with your fans.

[Josh Clark]

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 and we still put a lot into it. Like the first few times we had some major success at radio, it was all such a. It was all so new and it was exciting and we were. But. But now it almost feels a little bit better because it's like, oh, it's still resonating That's. That's really great.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Yeah, you still have it. And it's a testament certainly not only to the skills and talents of. And the perseverance of you as a band, but also your legions of fans. I mean, they're still there and they're still strong, and they love you so much.

[Bob Crawford]

That's truly the humbling part. When you're a young man, you take so much for granted. And, like, when you get to the top of the mountain for the first time, you just think, hey, this is just the way it is. And then you realize through all the trials and tribulations of a long career, just how incredibly rare success actually is. And to. To get back there, it 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, if I may say so, like, a fairly high level of albums, too. So all that takes so much work, and it takes a team, and it takes, you know, a good, loyal fan base to maintain it, that's for sure.

[Lynne Hoffman]

And speaking of your fan base, it's obvious that connecting with your fans is important to you. And because I know time is of the essence with you guys, I want to get right into the meat of the conversation right up front. Can each of you remember a moment? Whether it was during a personal struggle or a tough tour or a pivotal moment in your personal life, that music truly saved you.

[Bob Crawford]

Colin, you want to go first?

[Josh Clark]

Yeah, like, almost way too many times to count. 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. Whether it was a teenage heartbreak or if it was major shifts in life as I got older, there's been many songs that have helped me along the way. One that comes to mind is listening to Clay Pigeons a bunch of years ago, going through bit of a rough time. And just in that. That those lyrics and both versions, the Blaze Foley and the. And the John Prine version were both very. They were everything to me. It was like those songs that are written that, like, they. It's like songs that see you, you know, in those moments of vulnerability and when you're kind of just floating and they kind of bring you back down to earth and remember and remind you that, you know, you're not alone in this. In this sadness, you know, and that's definitely always been one of my main focuses when. When working on a song, I'd like to provide that kind of comfort for people, whether it's just when they want to rock out and. And have fun or when they. When they need something a little bit more, you know, emotional to help them through a rough patch, you know. And so that's just one of the moments of many where a song has saved me and I'll just listen to it like, 55 times a day, you know, until I feel better. And I always do, you know, So I think music's quite powerful like that.

[Bob Crawford]

I. I'll go back to, like, my teenage years. Colin and I are brothers then. We were raised a little bit like military brats, even though our dad was. He was like an intellectual. He worked for the universities, but that kept him moving around from campus to campus and taking all five of his kids with him. And we ended up down in Jamaica in 1993. And I was like 13 years old and wrenched out of my social life and put in like a sort of foreign country. Certainly felt foreign to me coming from the East Coast. And all I had was like a Sony Walkman and four cassettes. There were three Beatles cassettes, so the Beatles and REMs, automatic for the people. And 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 an incredible comfort when I was pretty lonely and out of sorts. And those records, like, to this day, they still. They're like my comfort food, you know, like, if all else. You know, I love exploring and listening to other things and discovering things, but if I can come back to these certain records and they feel like home.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Base, you know, it really is medicinal. Yeah, in nature for sure. I'll tell you what, I was just going through a really rough patch the other day, just a little depressed over something personal in my life. A friend of mine who's not well, and I am so fortunate to get these. I got to hear your whole album before anyone else because you're not releasing it until October. And I'll tell you, what song did it for me was manifest. So wait until that one comes out and hits. That was. I don't even know what it was truly about. But for me, when you look back in hindsight and you see what you've manifested and you didn't realize you were doing it at the time that it really happens, you can bring about what you want if you put your mind to it.

[Josh Clark]

Well, I'm. I'm glad to hear that you like that one. And yeah, yeah, it's like, nice to hear that, and I hope it helped you out a little bit.

[Lynne Hoffman]

It certainly did. It really did. You know, just something just clicks in your mind. And depending on how many times you want to play it is how many. Like, I would say if you were going in a medicine cabinet. And how many Advil do you need for your pain? Exactly.

[Bob Crawford]

The dosage is how many times you got to put it on repeat. Yes. We should have.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Instead of drug commercials, we should have music drug commercials. It'd be so much better.

[Josh Clark]

Probably safer in the long run, too.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Right?

[Bob Crawford]

That's gonna.

[Josh Clark]

Not as many weird side effects. No.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Only happiness.

[Bob Crawford]

Your state is gonna call for seven everybody hurts seven times.

[Josh Clark]

And the side effects will be like, you will develop more empathy. Like, there'll be good side effects, you know?

[Bob Crawford]

Yeah.

[Lynne Hoffman]

May cause crying, May cause spontaneous laughter and happiness.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah, yeah. Because healthy expressions of emotional baggage.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I love it. Hey, after this, we should do that. We should do a commercial for it.

[Josh Clark]

Yes. I love it.

[Lynne Hoffman]

That would be so fun. Band dynamics. I have to know. You guys have been together a long time. In what ways has being a part of the truth helped you navigate life's challenges? A lot of times, you know, you can. Being in a band, it's like a marriage. You know, you're together more than you are with your families.

[Josh Clark]

It's very true.

[Bob Crawford]

It's.

[Josh Clark]

It's. 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. They kind of all came together through the band. You know, like, John Angus met his wife and now mother of his three children at a true show in, like, 2005, you know, and. And I mean, all of our lives are kind. They kind of revolve around our career because it does take so much time, and we have to have very patient partners and wives and stuff. And so, yeah, the band's definitely shaped us a lot and in pretty much every way, so. Oh, there's a.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Hey, there's one now.

[Josh Clark]

Hi.

[Bob Crawford]

And now they won't leave me alone while I'm doing interviews. I love it.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Family is welcome.

[Bob Crawford]

Yeah. Okay. If you guys don't mind. I think it's great, pretty much to echo everything that Colin said. It's like you learn a lot about yourself. The really challenging thing about being in a band is you start it when you're in. Well, at least in our case, you start it as a teenager. You know, you start it, like, with an undeveloped frontal lobe. You know, like, you're not quite a man. And you have to become men together. And a lot of people don't survive that transition because it's really tricky. Like, it's not a. You're wholesale different people by the time you reach 30, you know, so. And then again by the time you reach 40, so it's like just navigating those waters. I guess we're lucky that we don't take things too personally. I've been through a lot together, and we still managed to come together over the music. And I love what we do. And so that's. That's good fortune. We've lost some members along the way because it's really hard to keep everybody together. You know, it just really is like life is demanding and life demands different things of different people at different times. So we're just. I guess we have some good fortune going our way too, that we were able still to. To pull it together and do it.

[Lynne Hoffman]

That's for sure. I mean, has there ever been a time where the bands sort of served as a support system for each other?

[Josh Clark]

Oh, yeah, like, so many times for me, just going through times in my life where, you know, things haven't felt very stable, and I've always sought comfort in writing and working with the guys. The music has carried me through a lot of times. So I always remember that when things are kind of going really well, how much I've. I have leaned on this to get through a lot of things. And unfortunately, because the music has always been something that's driven me and something that's inspired me, I. It's kept me sane, actually. It's kind of funny to think that you, A rock and roll band, can keep you sane because it's kind of an insane profession. But. But I. But I. But I do. I do. I am very grateful for those times where the band has kind of carried me through, you know, ups and downs.

[Lynne Hoffman]

It's amazing to me, you were just talking about the band and how members have come and gone, and you two are brothers. I mean, you grew up together. You're together all the time. I mean, that can't be easy in general as a dynamic.

[Josh Clark]

Well, it's. We're not quite as. I mean, we know some other brother bands that are a little bit more tumultuous than we are. But the other thing about brothers in the band is like, you know, we've been fighting and making up since we were 2 and 0. Do you know what I mean? So. And. And I think sometimes if. If it's not too much of A rift. And it hasn't been yet. Like, we can have our. Our ups and downs, but, you know, when you're family, you kind of have to make up or, like, you know, there's the ramifications, you know, can be pretty dire, like, when families become, like, alienated from one another. So, you know, we've been pretty good like that. And. And then Jack, who's been with us since we were. We started as well. And. And when he was a kid, my mom used to babysit him. Like, so we were like Jack's brother as well. And we've just been, you know, I'll knock on wood because, you know, so far, so good, but. But we've been able to get. Get through some of the. The. The rougher stuff.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I'll say. So far, so good. Now, songwriting and performing two are probably, I'm gonna guess, your most favorite things to do. Would you find that they're therapeutic for you as Well?

[Josh Clark]

I mean, 1,000%. Like, for me, the. The making of new music and. And writing and recording is favorite thing. And I love playing live. I mean, we have a great live show and we have great crowds and stuff, and. But my favorite part is that excitement around writing and discovering new stuff like that. That's always kind of been my. My. The guiding force for me ever since I started. Just. Just the idea that, you know, something's not there this morning and you make it, it's there this afternoon. And if it's any good, that can resonate with people and become something so beautiful and it can connect with people. And that, to me, is the closest thing I've ever experienced to magic in life.

[Lynne Hoffman]

It's very magical. Can you give an example maybe of a song that was specifically cathartic to write? And also, what's the hierarchy of the writing? I mean, who does most of the writing?

[Bob Crawford]

You should talk about the End and Once Upon a Time, which is coming up off of our next record, because I think I wasn't involved in that one too much. But I think you said it was the first one you wrote when you started writing during the lockdowns.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah. Well, in terms of the writing situation in the band, like, we all. We collaborate, John, I guess, Jack and myself, and then sometimes we'll collaborate with whoever's producing. And we're very open. We always switch up producers between every record because we're always looking for ways to shake things up. And I think for me, I write every day almost out of it is like a therapy to me just to create. Like, I Just believe everybody should create every day. Even if it's not a great song, when I go listen back, I still get something out of it. And then sometimes even within those songs that you work on that might not be anything special you bring that to. I bring it to John Angus or I bring it to Jack, or I bring it to one of our producers we're working with, and that can become this little, you know, acorn that becomes this beautiful oak tree, you know, in the. In the studio. And that's. That's kind of really neat to me too. Like, you know, it might just be. Oh, the second verse, really. Something really happened there. And then you just take that little bit and that grows into something. So that's usually the way all of our songs come about in terms of. Of just, you know, I write every day and. Except for when I'm on the road, but I write every day and then I bring it to the guys and we see if we can make something great out of it.

[Lynne Hoffman]

You know, I can imagine that process. Like, I got these lines. I just, you know, you think of things that, oh, my God, I can make a T shirt out of that. And you make an incredible song.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Out of something. Which is amazing.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah. But. But also, like, I think one of the things. I think one of the keys to our longevity has been, like, not to get. We try to keep our. I mean, this sounds kind of cliche, but we try to keep our egos in check. And like, the idea is, look, it's not. When your idea isn't well received, it's not a personal attack on you. It's just we. We kind of let the idea be more important than the three or four guys in the room. So whatever's going to make that better is always what we try to like. Okay. That's the. That's the goal. And however we can get there.

[Lynne Hoffman]

That's so hard, number one. But number two, what an incredible exercise in life overall, just how to deal with people.

[Josh Clark]

It's been a long. That was the thing we had to learn. That was the kind of the hardest thing to learn.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Yeah.

[Bob Crawford]

But, yeah, everybody's a bit. Every. I think it's. It's natural to be a bit protective and precious of your idea. Yeah. Off the. Off the head. But I think we've all created long enough. Thanks.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah.

[Bob Crawford]

Yeah, we've all created long enough to. To see the results improve. To see the idea go from being this little thing to this flourishing thing that now 2000 people are singing back to you. And that that we've all seen the magic work, that we trust in that process. And, yeah, if it can get better, then it should get better, and it shouldn't stay the same just because you.

[Josh Clark]

Like it a lot.

[Bob Crawford]

You know what I mean?

[Josh Clark]

Yeah.

[Bob Crawford]

And that's. That's. And that's the nature of being in a band. And if you didn't want that, then you have to be a solo artist. You know what I mean? Like, otherwise, if you're in a band, you kind of got to go all for one and one for all and let's. Let's do it together kind of thing.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah.

[Lynne Hoffman]

And there's nothing better than working with a creative team of people that can do that. I mean, that truly would be the penultimate way to be in any group of creatives.

[Josh Clark]

I think when you have people that have that incentive as the. Like, you can feel it, you know, like, when you're. When you're working on an idea, everybody. You're getting chills. Like, it's. It's not. It's not even a thinking thing. Eventually, it's just a feeling, and everybody's like, oh, we're all smiling. We're happy. Time is going by, and quickly. And, like, if you have that, you have to. Like, that's the most precious thing in the world. Now, if you're lucky enough to be Bob Dylan and you just wake up in the morning and that happens before coffee. But, like. But in a band dynamic, you can. You know, we know it. And, like, some nights, some days it doesn't work. But then when it is working, we're like, this is the. This is. It's right. You got chills, you're smiling. It's. It's enthusiastic. So that's what we're kind of chasing. We'll be right back with more of the Music Save Me podcast. Welcome back to the Music Saved Me podcast.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Hindsight's always 20 20, kind of like we discussed earlier. But are there lyrics specifically in your back catalog that stand out to you as meaning. Like, new meaning to you today than even when you wrote it originally?

[Josh Clark]

Oh, yeah, all the. All the time. Like, there's. There's songs where even I'm. I'm on stage the other night. We have a new song called Don't Get Lost in the Dark. We played it at a show the other night, and I. While I was playing it, I'm like, oh, I think. I think this song might be about this thing. And it was just a. It was just something that had happened on the east coast years ago. And, and I was like. And I just got chills. I was like, oh, I didn't even, I didn't have any intention of this. It's just, it just caught fire in my imagination, and it made the song so meaningful to me, and I was just so impressed with that. Like, not impressed by me or the song, but, like, I was like, oh, this is cool. Like, I feel like I'm getting something out of this that I never thought I'd ever get. And it was a nice moment.

[Lynne Hoffman]

You know, it's like those moments that people say to you cliche lines or, you know, time flies when you're having fun or, you know, just anything that comes to mind, and then you're going through life and something happens to you, and you're like, wait a minute. That's why that person said that to me. Or that's what that song meant. Or those lyrics meant.

[Josh Clark]

Cliches are cliches for a reason. They, that's because they happen. Yes.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Yes.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I'm just curious how you take care of your mental health, both of you, individually, when you're on the road, when you're in the studio. I mean, what, what type of. Are there any rituals or habits that sort of keep you grounded when you're out playing for thousands of screaming fans and living that life that almost seems like you're in a dream or it's, you know.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah. Do you want to go on this one first, Sergey, or.

[Bob Crawford]

No, you go.

[Josh Clark]

Okay. Well, yeah, I, I, I had to, like, I've had to do a lot for that. Like, I, I've been sober for, for four and a half years.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Congratulations.

[Josh Clark]

That's a big deal for after many years. Not quite four and a half. Four. Four and a couple months. And I, I've had to do a lot. I have quite a few things to do on the, on the road to stay grounded and stay, you know, I, you know, meditate and I try to exercise and I, I do a lot of reading and writing just to stay grounded, because I find, especially when you're, like, performing for people and, like, there's, there's so much, like, pressure, and then there's, there's ego and then there's anxiety and you trying to stay grounded by that. I don't always win the, Win the fight, but I, I have to do a lot to keep, to keep regulated, I guess you could say, when I'm out there, because I, I, I can get kind of swept away in it. For better or for worse, you know.

[Bob Crawford]

I bet, I bet Yeah, I mean, beyond. Like, I try to go for a run every now and then, but, you know, I. I keep myself very busy. Now, you could say that's like just a big old distraction or. Or, you know, maybe I'm putting things off, but I do like to keep myself busy. I like to have a lot of projects on the go. You know, I'm producing this or I'm hosting this radio show. I'm raising three kids and dealing with a lot of the band's affairs. And so, yeah, I'll probably have a breakdown at some point in the future.

[Lynne Hoffman]

No, no, don't say that.

[Josh Clark]

We don't want that.

[Bob Crawford]

No, but it's. It's really good. That was a joke. That was a joke. The fact that you guys didn't laugh me means it wasn't a good joke.

[Lynne Hoffman]

No, but, I mean, you have to laugh because, you know, life is just. It's so hard in general, and then you pile on it. Success and, you know, and then issues that you may have along the way, and it's just. It's a lot to navigate, even for those of us who aren't in a major rock band touring the world. In which case, I would love to know your advice that you might have for someone who might be struggling and needs to turn to music for solace. Do you have any advice for them?

[Bob Crawford]

The only thing I'll add is you said, even if you're not in a rock band, but I think that the sort of inverse of that is, like, we get to have that outlet. And, like, people always say, like, life is so hard anyway. Then you add the stresses of performance. But at the same time, the flip of that is, like, we get to wear our emotions on our sleeves and sing them at the top of our lungs for five to 10,000 to, like, up to, like, 60, whatever. The biggest crowd we've ever played for. And they're just our emotions. They're just our feelings in the moment. I can. Might have had a bad day. I can go guitar solo for an hour.

[Josh Clark]

You know what I mean?

[Bob Crawford]

Like, it's not. This is like an unappreciated part of what it is to express yourself in art. And I think that my advice would be, if you really are having a hard time chronically, then try to find that outlet. You know, it might be writing. It might be writing a book or painting. It might be artisanal work. Maybe you. Maybe you're a woodworker. It could be like. But try to find some method of creative expression. And I'm Sure. That will go a long way to at least taking your mind. To at least taking your mind off of it, you know, that's for sure.

[Josh Clark]

That's good advice. And. And, like, there's a book called the Artist's Way, and I always thought was really great. And it's like, for anybody who wants to be an artist, and I think everybody is an artist. I just think that, you know, it's not all meant to be released to the public. And there's this great book about just these things you can do to feel a little bit more, I mean, artistic in your life. You know, journal in the morning. Like, there's things to do that are creative, that are powerful outlets. And that book's a good one. So check out the Artist's Way.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I just wrote it down. I'm curious. I would like to read that. I want so much more time with you. I need to know, just a quick yes or no, did you have mentors when you were growing up that people sort of reaffirmed to you that you were on the right track or that you did have these skills?

[Bob Crawford]

Yes, we had many, but they're unexpected. I think of our old friend Ian McDonald, Ian Charles McDonald, who we've lost a bit of touch with, but we grew up with him, and he really informed our playing style in our teens because he had such a deep knowledge of what we were going for. We had a kind of a surface. Like, we knew our records, but he had, like, a library of records that he was sort of hipping us to. And he really informed. There was a guy named Blair Seaboia who believed in our band and let us jam at his house. He did our sound for next to nothing. And then eventually we ran into, like, our business mentor was a guy named Larry Wanagast who saw what we were doing. He was managing Katie Lang for 15 years, and he managed Big Sugar, another big Canadian act, and he became our business mentor. He managed our band for 15 years and he introduced us to our first producer, Gordie Johnson, who, again, was a tough love mentor. He saw what we were going for and thought, I can. I can improve this. You know, this is what.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Harness it.

[Bob Crawford]

Yeah. And he was right. And he was rough on us, you know, as a producer.

[Josh Clark]

He was right, though. He got us.

[Bob Crawford]

Yeah, and sometimes you need that. Sometimes you need a, you know.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah.

[Bob Crawford]

Kick, and sometimes you need to carrot. But he was the kicking kind. But it helped us as a band for sure.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Well, a lot of times that's all somebody needs to make a big Change and an impact on them is just to hear it from somebody who's doing it or has done it, and then you're off to the races.

[Bob Crawford]

And he took us on tour and he didn't have to do that, and gave us a lot of national exposure, and then that list goes on. We really, really have always looked up to the tragically hip. Do you know the tragically hip?

[Lynne Hoffman]

Oh, yeah. Come on.

[Bob Crawford]

Canadian.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah.

[Bob Crawford]

Okay. I don't know when I'm talking to an American, I never know, but you never know. They're so big in Canada. They loom as large as, like, our most famous prime ministers do. And we always looked up to them as fans, and then they took us under their wing and treated us kind of like little brothers. And we eventually made music at their studio and collaborated with their bass player, Gord Sinclair, who became a mentor on, like, how to be an adult in this music business. You know, how to really navigate yourself and compose yourself. And that band we just idolized and looked up to, and they became mentors in a way too. So it never really ends really in that way, you know, so do you.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Ever really want to be an adult, really? I mean, come on, we all would.

[Bob Crawford]

None of us want to grow, join a rock band, and then, you know, at least you keep one.

[Josh Clark]

One foot.

[Bob Crawford]

And being a teenager still, it's just.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I wish that I could be. I. I know that, like, just in a minor sense, the feeling it is to be on that stage. And like, you were talking earlier about getting all of that out. You're giving it to the audience, too, and they're giving it back to you. So it's like this huge, you know, cathartic session of inspiration and. And it's. It's pretty amazing.

[Bob Crawford]

Pretty powerful.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Very powerful. Has a fan ever told you a story, either one of you, that how your music specifically has helped them through a hard time?

[Josh Clark]

I was just talking to a gentleman at our gig at a place called the Key to Bala last Friday. Maybe it's up in, like. It's like a cottage country Ontario gig. And. And he said he just got over about. With cancer. And he said he just listened to this, our song the Breakdown, over and over again. It really, really helped him. And I was like, wow, that's. I didn't even know how to respond. I just kind of gave him a hug and a handshake and I said, I'm so happy to hear that the cancer's gone. And I'm sure the medicine had a lot more to do with it than the song. But I think the song kind of helped in a weird way for him. And he was like. He really wanted me to know that, and I was just kind of. It was just like one of those. We were doing a meet and greet with our fans, and he just kind of sprung this on me. Like, I was in the middle of, like, you know, people asking me what songs were playing that night and signing stuff, and he said, like, you know, I just got over cancer, and I listened to the breakdown every day for months, and I was like, oh, my God, that's so incredibly heavy and amazing in every way, you know? And so, yeah, I've had a few people tell me some very, very similar stories. And it's always. It's almost too much to take in. Like, at the time, you're kind of like, that's incredible. And, you know, my first thought is, I hope you're okay. I hope you continue to be okay. And I'm glad that our. Our music is helping in some way, shape or form. But, yeah, I've had quite a few of those moments over the. The years.

[Lynne Hoffman]

That's pretty incredible.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah.

[Lynne Hoffman]

John, you remember.

[Bob Crawford]

Yeah, there is. There's a lot of them. You know, we have a song called highway of Heroes, which is a tribute to a woman we knew that went to fight in Afghanistan and was tragically killed. But it's resonated much beyond her story. And we've had people show up to our shows with, like, their siblings tags who are deceased, you know, from conflict, and, like, hand them to us on stage and say, we want you guys to have these, or something like that. It's just, like, the power of those moments. It's, like, a little bit overwhelming because it's enormous. But, you know, you don't know these people the way they do. You know, the tragedy is not the same for you as it is for them, but they've connected your song to it, and then they've connected us to it because of the song. And it's. It's. It's just proof of how powerful music can be in truly, especially in moments like that.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Did you expect that when you first got together as a band? Those types of stories coming at you?

[Josh Clark]

No, not at all. And. And it's like, you know, we, like, music is our own, is our profession, and we put everything into it, and we like to write songs that are meaningful to us initially. And you never think in a million years that, like, oh, I'm. I'm gonna write a song that a guy got through cancer because of like that. That would be a weird thing to think, you know, for, for the creator of a song. But. But I've. You know, I, I don't know what it is. I, I just. We just sing about what we're going through and how we're feeling and. And it resonates with people and I mean, it's. It's incredible. It's. It's. I. I feel like humbled by it, I guess. And then I don't want to think like too much beyond that because I just. I. Songs are songs and I love them and they've gotten me through hard times too. But. Yeah, I don't know what else to say.

[Lynne Hoffman]

No, I understand. Because it's not why you. Why you do it. But then it becomes sort of self fulfilling.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah.

[Lynne Hoffman]

And it's amazing that there's more. This is something that I always say, we're all more alike than we are different. So chances are when you're making this incredible music and writing these words, words that they're gonna stick with a lot of people.

[Josh Clark]

I mean, that's. It's like. I think with us it's always like, how do we. What's the best song? Like we're always thinking, what is the best song? And the best song is something that's got. There's many elements, you know, memorable is probably the first one. And then, you know, a little bit of lyrical depth without being pretentious and then, you know, and then a good groove and a rhythm and we, we kind of almost appreciate. Approach it like that. And in some of those creations end up really resonating with people. And that's amazing.

[Lynne Hoffman]

It sure is. And I got a couple of quick questions before I let you go. Looking forward, the Bloody Light is your album coming out in October. There's themes of hope and resilience and healing in all of it throughout. Again, lucky me, I got to hear it before anyone else. And is there, is there anything particular within the album that you hope listeners really connect with? Is there a message that you're trying to put out there that you want them to know?

[Josh Clark]

I think that's kind of it. You know, I. I think it's like. It hasn't been the easiest five or six years between anywhere in North America, if you know, between everything that everybody's kind of gone through. And I think the message we have is, yep, it's not easy. We're not going to pretend like it is, but we're still going to try to make music and move forward and move through it together.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I think it's awesome. I mean, just the fact that you are still doing it again, hitting number one after all these years is enough for me alone. Just to hear that story about you not even hearing your music, it's really incredible feat, much less your sobriety, which is another really big deal. I don't care what anyone says. I really congratulate you on it. And I hope that you continue forward down that path. And you're certainly helping a lot of people more than you know. My last question to you, John and Colin, is if you could go back and play one song for your younger self during a tough time in your life, what would it be and why?

[Josh Clark]

Of any song? Of any song, it's really. It's a very good question.

[Bob Crawford]

I think the songs that really helped me are songs I might have already known then. I. You know, I don't. I'm gonna go with one of our songs just because it's easier, because those weren't invented when we were young, but, like, between the End and Once Upon a Time certainly has. And that's coming up on our next record. It certainly has, like a. There's, like a totality to it. And I feel like 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, however long it was. I'd be like, oh, that's a reason to keep going. Because it's not exactly the style we were working in for a long time. But it has, like, a depth of emotion and, like, a large scope to it, and I really like it a lot, so I'm just going to go with that. And nobody can even hear it yet. It's coming out in October, but you can come back.

[Josh Clark]

Okay. It's funny because it's such an emotional question, but my analytical brain kicked in, so I'm just going to go with that. And so I've been listening kind of religiously to the Anthology of American Folk Music this whole year, and it's about. It's a playlist on Spotify. I don't know how long the original album is, but it's about 65 songs long on the playlist. And I've been studying it, I've been listening to it, I've been learning it. I went online and wrote because it's hard to get. The recordings are some of the first recordings in American music, so it's really hard to decipher the lyrics. So Spotify doesn't even have the lyrics. Because they can't pick them up, you know, So I had to go scour the Internet. I've written them all in my voice notes on my phone. So when I'm warming up for a gig, I'll go and listen to the anthology and just sing the songs. And I wish I could go back to me starting in a band and go like, you need to listen to this phrasing because by the time you're 21, you'll be the coolest guy in the world. And I, instead I was listening to like what everybody was listening to. You know, alternative and grunge and blah blah and whatever. But no, you should be listening to this right now. And you will kick so much ass, dude. But, but I, but I would. That's like there's. My ambition is if I could go back to 17, 16 year old me, like throw out the grunge records. Those are great, we love them. Go listen to only this record for four years and copy it and then start your band. That's what I would do.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I love it. I love talking with you too. And I also wrote that down, by the way. See, I love learning new things from people in discussions.

[Bob Crawford]

There's.

[Lynne Hoffman]

There's nothing better. Yeah, it's than that. And you certainly both have taught me a lot and hopefully our listeners a lot as well. Colin McDonald, John Angus McDonald. The trues, thank you for being on music. Save me and good luck with everything in the future and please come back and see us maybe when you're Traveling through America 100%.

[Bob Crawford]

Thank you for having us. The stuff you should Know guys have.

[Josh Clark]

Made their own summer playlists of their must listen podcasts on movies. It's me, Josh, and I'd like to welcome you to the Stuff youf Should Know Summer Movie Playlist.

[Bob Crawford]

What screams summer more than a nice.

[Josh Clark]

Darkened air conditioned theater and a great movie playing right in front of you?

[Bob Crawford]

Episodes on James Bond, special effects, stunt.

[Josh Clark]

Men and women, disaster films, even movies.

[Bob Crawford]

That change filmmaking and many more.

[Josh Clark]

Listen to the Stuff youf Should Know Summer Movie Playlist on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Bob Crawford]

I'm Bob Crawford, host of American History.

[Josh Clark]

Hotline, a different type of podcast. You, the listener, ask the questions. Did George Washington really cut down a cherry tree?

[Bob Crawford]

Were JFK and Marilyn Monroe having an affair?

[Josh Clark]

And I find the answers.

[Bob Crawford]

I am so glad you asked me this question.

[Lynne Hoffman]

This is such a ridiculous story.

[Josh Clark]

You can listen to American History Hotline.

[Bob Crawford]

On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Josh Clark]

What's up guys? Welcome to the Augusto Papa Podcast, the go to spot for everything Musica Mexicana. We're proud Mexican Americans who live and breathe this music. We started this podcast to share and discuss our views of musica Mexicana. Whether you like to vibe to Peso Pluma, Los Allegres, El Barranco, Ariel Camacho, or Puri Van Cornejo, when you get in your feels, then this podcast is for you. Well, actually Peso was supposed to be on Chinito's album. The song with Drake was supposed to be with Peso. Listen to agaGustopa on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Bob Crawford]

It's Black Business Month and Black tech green money is tapping in. I'm Will Lucas, spotlighting black founders, investors and innovators building the future one idea at a time. Let's talk legacy tech and generational wealth.

[Lynne Hoffman]

I had the skill and I had the talent. I didn't have the opportunity.

[Josh Clark]

Yeah, we all know, right? Genius is evenly distributed.

[Lynne Hoffman]

Opportunity is not.

[Bob Crawford]

To hear this and more on the power of black innovation and ownership, listen to Black Tech green money from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. How serious is youth vaping? Irreversible lung damage serious. 1 in 10 kids vape serious, which warrants a serious conversation from a serious parental figure like yourself. Not the seriously know it all sports dad or the seriously smart podcaster. It requires a serious conversation that is best had by you. No, seriously, the best person to talk to your child about vaping is you. To start the conversation, visit talkaboutvaping.org, brought to you by the American Lung association and the Ad Council.

[Lynne Hoffman]

This is an iHeart podcast.