Edmonton-based country rock unit The Uncas will celebrate 25 years of music with a special show at 9910 this Friday night. The band is also releasing two new songs, "Bridge Song" and "River Song," which will be featured on their upcoming EP, Horseshoe Theory – Simple Uncanomics.
A Quarter Century of Music
According to guitarist-vocalist Mark Feduk, there was never a master plan for The Uncas. The band built a loyal following over the years before taking an extended break around 2008. Members pursued other priorities, but the friendship endured, leading to regular reunions over the past decade.
"Up until last year, it had been six years since we played," Feduk said. "We did a show in late 2019 and planned a 20th anniversary in 2020 with two new songs." The pandemic delayed those plans, but the band resumed jamming and eventually booked shows to prepare for the recording.
New Music and Video
The two new tracks capture the band's sonic range. "Bridge Song" is fiery and dark, while "River Song" is goofy and wild. "We picked those two because they capture what The Uncas is about," Feduk explained. The EP will be available on streaming platforms Friday.
A music video for "Bridge Song" features vintage camcorder footage from the band's early tours, including comedic skits. "We found old VHS tapes from our first tours," Feduk said. "We filmed skits like a combination of a band and The Kids in the Hall."
Continued Presence
The Uncas have no plans to stop. They will play festivals this summer and consider more recording. Feduk emphasized that the band's friendship and musicianship have only improved over time. "We feel our musicianship is at a much higher level than when we recorded our earlier stuff."
The Friday show at 9910 will feature support from The Bing Bang Boys and Nadine Kellman. Tickets are available at the venue.
