Press & Reviews

“Friday and Saturday during Cityfolk boasted some amazing Ottawa talent featured as a part of Marvest… a showcase series organized by the festival. Several Bank Street businesses were the site of these shows, and on Friday night, I dropped by FarmTeam Cookhouse to catch a couple of our local artists, the first one being Tribe Royal.”

— Terry Steeves / Apt613

Outside on the restaurant’s large patio and parking lot was where it was all happening, looking every bit like a vibrant campground scene with Adirondack chairs and tables scattered below the raised porch area, and the band set up on a section of the parking lot. A four-piece indie band, named Tribe Royal, had just started their set and the music grabbed me instantly.

Their sound covered a diverse spectrum of rootsy alt-rock flavours that delved into off-shoots of country, blues, folk, and classic rock. Laid back, easy listening, and dance inducing, every song delivered a feel-good vibe, and completely memorable melodies with catchy hooks. “Blood Red Rose,” a song about travelling and being out on the road, had some of that country/folk Blue Rodeo goodness, as did one of their newer pieces, “Sunset Band,” which had some nice changes into the bridge, and great 3-piece vocal harmonies during the chorus. Their current single, “Wasting Time,” triggered some hand-clapping from the audience, with its uplifting rhythm and melody. The band also showed some great stage interaction, which turned the warm fun factor up a notch. “My Kind Of Girl,” “Catching Up” and “What You Do To Me” were laced in an infectious 60s psychedelic pop-rock flavour, reminiscent of bands like The Zombies. I enjoyed the Alice In Chains rawness of “Serpent Queen,” and the very Chris Isaak feel of their three-quarter timed set closer, “Don’t You Change,” which had a gorgeous flowing vocal melody.

Look for Tribe Royal’s new album, Colours Of The Sun, coming out October 17, 2016. Visit their website at triberoyal.ca.

-Terry Steeves / Apt613
 
“Incorporating elements of ’60s rock, and ’70s folk into their sound, the new single is perfect for the upcoming summer months and the open road. ”

— Dusty Organ

"If you like: The Sheepdogs, CCR, The Allman Brothers Band) Ottawa alternative folk rock band Tribe Royal may not have been alive during the ’60s and ’70s, but that doesn’t stop them from being apart of the revival. The indie four piece turn back the clocks with generous harmonies, vintage rock groove, and sing-along melodies reminiscent of the pioneering days of Americana and folk rock.

Set to release their second album Colours of the Sun this May, but before then, Tribe Royal have shared their lead single “Wasting Time”. Incorporating elements of ’60s rock, and ’70s folk into their sound, the new single is perfect for the upcoming summer months and the open road. Built around the laid-back, harmony-fuelled chorus of “Wasting time / day after day”, “Wasting Time” is driven forward with energetic percussion and a crafty guitar solo, as Tribe Royal create bright, summery tunes without needing to try too hard."

-Dusty Organ / Kane
 
“What more could you ask for; than a bunch of young musicians staying true to themselves, their listeners and the arts with uncommon honesty?”

— Vasili Brousalis

"The Samadhi album is a wonderful mosaic of sounds that I would like to put on the same shelf with: The Beatles, Neil Young, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bob Dylan, The Crash Test Dummies and more. You will hear beautifully arranged guitars, Hammond organ, harmonica, solid bass lines, flowing funky beats, world sounds such as steel drums, layered together with socially conscious vocals ranging from the lennonesque sensitive to the baritone masculine. What more could you ask for; than a bunch of young musicians staying true to themselves, their listeners and the arts with uncommon honesty? After one listen it is obvious how hard Tribe Royal worked on this project and how much they enjoyed themselves while crafting it. This breakout album is an example of musical integrity on an organic level, a nice break from the over-produced/auto-tuned works we hear so much on the radio today. Congrats to Tribe Royal on this beautiful timeless snapshot in time that people will be able to enjoy for the ages"

- Vasili Brousalis