Canada’s hardest working blues rock act, Ross Neilsen & The
Sufferin’ Bastards, do it right. They take their strong, timeless
material to the place that matters. The People. Three years, 600 shows,
240 000kms, five national tours all executed 100% independently. In a
time of corporate cookie cutter music this is the return to real.
Proving hard work pays off Ross Neilsen has been honoured with a
nomination for Best New Artist at The Maple Blues Awards in 2010, two
Rising Star nominations from CBC, back to back Blues Album of the Year
nominations from the East Coast Music Association and more recently Ross
won Best Blues Recording for Redemption at the 2010 MusicNB awards.
Ross Neilsen is the real, old school kind of artist. Write. Tour.
Record. Tour. Repeat.
Ross Neilsen’s latest recording, Redemption, was released in the
spring of 2010. Recorded at the famed Zebra Ranch Studio in Mississippi,
Redemption is the first recording that bears the name of Neilsen’s
long-time backing band, The Sufferin’ Bastards, with Shawn Worden on
bass and Karl Gans on drums. “I am lucky to have such a powerful rhythm
section and wanted to include their name with mine on the recording to
make a statement that they are a huge part of what I do.” Neilsen says.
“This record was an evolution for all of us in many ways. We have grown
as a band and as individuals. As a result of this we wanted to make an
effort to really step it up for our next release.”
The voyage to recording Redemption was an epic one, with Neilsen and
his band deciding to record with famed musician and producer Jim
Dickinson (North Mississippi All starss, Screaming Jay Hawkins, John
Hiatt, Ry Cooder), at his Zebra Ranch in Northern Mississippi. Dickinson
was impressed with the demos he had heard and was eager to work on the
new recording. The stage was set and the plans were made for Ross
Neilsen and The Sufferin’ Bastards to make the trip of a lifetime,
however a wrench was thrown in to the wheels. In August 2009 Jim
Dickinson passed away, leaving the band shattered and unsure of the next
step. Within hours, Jim Dickinson’s family contacted Neilsen to step in
and take over production; this time in the chair would be Cody
Dickinson, three-time Grammy nominated producer and drummer for North
Mississippi All-Stars. The recording would be back on.
Ineligible for Canadian Funding due to the project taking place
stateside, the band started unique fundraising project – a bottle drive.
What would seem to be the entire community in the New Brunswick region
got involved by saving their empties for Neilsen and The Bastards to
collect and use the refund for their expenses. “It became something even
more than just fundraising. I met so many people; some of them already
fans and some of them had never heard of us but wanted to help us live
our dreams. The feeling of our community getting behind us like that was
heavy.” Said Neilsen.
Redemption can be classified as a collection of songs about love,
lust, and loss. Neilsen’s poignant songwriting and stunning guitar
playing make each track standout, as does the tight rhythms courtesy of
Worden and Gans. ”She Ain’t You” is a heavy guitar-laden song, with a
searing solo from Neilsen and features Luther Dickinson (Black Crowes,
North Mississippi All stars) on slide. The emotional ”Bold and Beaten”
was co-written by East Coast blues master Matt Andersen and tells the
tale about life on the road and sacrifices that many musicians must face
in order to do what is natural for them. Each track on Redemption is
distinctive and draws on influences from the blues and modern rock n
roll. A spectacular and modern twist to a blues classic “Commit a Crime”
appeals to old school blues fans and new.
The second leg of their massive national tour is currently underway
supporting the release of the first single, “Afflicted” is in full
swing. While Ross Neilsen & The Sufferin’ Bastards are rocking
Canada again, preparations are under way for the release of the second
single in early 2011 supported with an animated video.
Whether telling tall tales or capturing the spirit of the blues
through his own originals and unique covers in his intimate solo shows
or combining clever lyrics with old school, in-your-face guitar playing
with his band, Ross Neilsen will take you on an emotional journey
through the joys and pains of life, death, triumph and defeat. Neilsen
will touch your heart, soul, body and mind, sending you home to sing
yourself to sleep. And in the morning? You will want more, much more.