That group includes local luminaries Daniela Gesundheit (Snowblink), Tamara Lindemen (The Weather Station), Amy Learmonth (The Youngest), Ivy Mairi and OG choir member Kari Peddle. Their in-house sound shaman and occasional drummer Leon Taheny (Final Fantasy, ohbijou) has manned the boards for all of the bands releases. In 2008 the band dropped their debut 7". The band's debut album, A Mountain Is a Mouth, was released February 3, 2009 on their own Bruce Trail Records.
Former contributors include Taylor Kirk (Timber Timbre), Casey Mecija (ohbijou), Katie Stelmanis, Maya Postepski, Isla Craig, Christienne Chesney, Matt Dunn (MV&EE) and Mike Smith (Muskox).
The instrumental elements have expanded into new terrain (unlike most folk bands, prog isn't a dirty word for this band), but Bruce Peninsula's focus is devoted to the singing, first and foremost. Singing from the gut, singing with gusto, singing the way we were made to sing…
The early, simple call-and-responses have given way to more elaborate harmonies and compositions over time, but the teachings of those timeless old recordings from the American south remain intact. There is no denying the power and conviction of old spiritual singers like Vera Ward Hall or Washington Phillips. And while each member of the band may have their own take on the powers that be, the words those legends sang (and, more importantly, the way they sang them) have forever converted Bruce Peninsula into devotees of the church of song.
The surge of experimental music in Toronto has been equally important for Bruce Peninsula, bestowing upon them a wide-eyed, anything-goes mentality. Purists may argue that the blues or folk tradition can't be properly expressed without an old steel string and a slide, but this band has never been too concerned with trying to crack open closed minds.
And so, a march of metalophone, lap-steel, zithers, and bells. Of drums and sticks and any other oddities of interesting and pleasing tone. Voices blaring all the while.
Crabapples
Bruce Peninsula Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tastes just fine to me
You can't get by with a sack for a saddle
Least I'm ridin' free
You got to know where you're headin'
We never know where we're headin'
Oh oh no, we just ride and see
Got kids and a wife? Oh Hell No!
Is your money your time? Oh Hell No!
We live our life for the ride
I saw your bones on the road
Just waitin' for the vultures to come
Cockroach killers comin' over
How you made it, I just don't know
And do you live the good life? Oh Hell No!
Got kids and a wife? Oh Hell No!
Is your money your time? Oh Hell No!
We live our life for the ride
You don't know my
You don't know my mind
I saw your bones on the road
Just waitin' for the vultures to come
Cockroach killers comin' over
How you made it, I just don't know
The lyrics of Bruce Peninsula's "Crabapples" seem to capture the essence of a life lived on the road, free from the burdens and responsibilities of conventional society, but also fraught with uncertainty and the constant risk of danger. The opening lines express the paradox of finding sustenance and satisfaction in the meager offerings of a world that is indifferent or hostile to one's needs - "You can't survive on just crabapples / Tastes just fine to me." The second line suggests a certain defiance in the face of the scarcity or hardship that may beset the wandering traveler - "You can't get by with a sack for a saddle / Least I'm ridin' free."
The chorus reinforces the theme of a life lived on one's own terms, unencumbered by the expectations or demands of others, but also haphazard and unpredictable - "You got to know where you're headin' / We never know where we're headin' / Oh oh no, we just ride and see." The repeated phrase "Oh hell no" serves as a kind of mantra or battle cry for those who reject the conventions of mainstream society in favor of a more unconventional, transient lifestyle. The second verse describes a grim scene of death and decay, suggesting that the risks of such a life are not purely metaphorical or symbolic, but all too real - "I saw your bones on the road / Just waitin' for the vultures to come / Cockroach killers comin' over / How you made it, I just don't know." Yet the final lines of the song seem to reclaim a sense of agency and independence, declaring that "You don't know my mind" and implying that the vagabond's inner life is beyond the reach of the judgment or understanding of those who live by other values or ideals.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't survive on just crabapples
You need more than just the bare minimum to survive
Tastes just fine to me
I am content with what I have
You can't get by with a sack for a saddle
You need more than the absolute basics to lead a fulfilling life
Least I'm ridin' free
At least I have my freedom, even if I don't have much else
You got to know where you're headin'
It's important to have goals and direction in life
We never know where we're headin'
Life is unpredictable and we can't always plan for the future
Oh oh no, we just ride and see
Sometimes we just have to take each day as it comes and see where life takes us
And do you live the good life? Oh Hell No!
Living a good life is subjective and not everyone wants the same things
Got kids and a wife? Oh Hell No!
Having a family isn't necessarily what makes life fulfilling for everyone
Is your money your time? Oh Hell No!
Money isn't the same as time, and some people value one over the other
We live our life for the ride
We prioritize experiences and living in the moment over material possessions or societal expectations
I saw your bones on the road
I saw the remnants of someone who didn't survive the journey
Just waitin' for the vultures to come
The end of the road can be brutal and unforgiving
Cockroach killers comin' over
Death comes in many forms and can be unexpected
How you made it, I just don't know
Some people are able to survive through difficult circumstances, while others aren't as fortunate
You don't know my
You can't make assumptions or judgments about my life
You don't know my mind
You can't understand my thoughts or feelings without actually knowing me
Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.