Canadian Roots, Rock, and Soul band Bywater Call release the super-charged ‘As If‘, their third single of 2024, and the fifth song released from their upcoming studio album ‘Shepherd‘.
Stream the single – here
Driven by Mike Meusel on bass and Bruce McCarthy on drums, ‘As If‘ is a dynamic funk, rock n’ soul inspired number featuring soaring, emotion-filled vocals and ripping guitar, all expertly coloured in with an undeniable groove from the keys and horns. The bursting energy in “As If” has made it an immediate hit with audiences from the moment it was first played in a live setting in mid-2023.
“This song embodies the awareness, anger, acceptance and breaking free from toxic energy in one’s life” says lead singer Meghan Parnell, who drew inspiration from former relationships.
‘As If‘ was partially filmed and recorded at friend, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Howley’s beautiful barn studio in the country of Ontario, Canada where he acted as engineer. Bass (Mike Meusel), drums (Bruce McCarthy), horns (Julian Nalli), sax (Stephen Dyte) and keys (John Kervin) were captured live-off-the-floor. Additional recording, including lead vocals (Meghan Parnell) and guitars (Dave Barnes), was captured by Bywater drummer Bruce McCarthy (The BeatFarm in Toronto), who also acted as mixing engineer.
‘As If‘ follows the April release of ‘Roll‘ and the March release of ‘Holler‘ – which saw extensive A-list radio play on UK’s Planet Rock Radio. It also follows the 2023 releases of singles ‘Sweet Maria‘ and ‘For All We Know‘, which received rave reviews from UK, Europe, and North America. All four tunes will be included on the new album.
Set to come out August 9th, 2024, Shepherd features a captivating mix of 10 original songs, showcasing the bands continual exploration, experimentation, and reach beyond the boundaries of their genre, further developing their own unique voice. The new music shows their growth, while still paying tribute to their historical and contemporary influences.
“Bywater Call cross and blend multiple genres into a sound that is distinctly their own. they are talented both individually and as a group, they have a chemistry that is palpable, and they play a blend of music and musical styles that is impossible to not connect with.” – Rick Witt, Denver Entertainment Hub
Often transcending genres, Bywater Call is known for their dynamic, emotional live shows, featuring powerful vocals and exciting interplay between all band members.
Bywater Call is currently UK Blues Award nominated for International Blues Artist of the year. They have toured extensively in Europe where shows have been praised by Dutch, German and UK media, with references to Meghan as one of the best female voices in blues and roots today.
The band has been busy. In 2023 alone, they played a total of 96 shows in 10 countries, 89 cities, 19 US states and 3 Canadian provinces, including Joe Bonamassa’s third Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean Cruise.
In October 2024, they will headline their second UK tour. Tour info at www.bywatercall.com.
Bywater Call October 2024 UK Tour
Tickets available from The Gig Cartel, Planet Rock , Ticket Source, Bywater Call
Manchester, Academy 3
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Cardiff, Globe
Thursday 17 October 2024
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Leek, Foxlowe Arts
Friday 18 October 2024
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Leeds, Brudenell
Saturday 19 October 2024
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Glasgow, Oran Mor
Sunday 20 October 2024
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Newcastle, The Cluny
Tuesday 22 October 2024
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Sheffield, Corporation
Wednesday 23 October 2024
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Norwich, Waterfront Studios
Thursday 24 October 2024
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
London, Dingwalls
Friday 25 October 2024
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Newbury, Arlington Arts
Saturday 26 October 2024
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Sittingbourne, Bourne Music Club
Sunday 27 October 2024
Tickets: Ticket Source
European Spring Tour 2024
19-April Piteå, Sweden Studio Acusticum
20-April Luleå, Sweden Kulturens hus
22-April Stockholm, Sweden Melodybox
23-April Näsby, Sweden Carla’s Café
24-April Malmö, Sweden Folk å Rock
25-April Kristianstad, Sweden Kulturkvarteret
26-April Falkenberg, Sweden Tryckhallen
27-April Joldelund, Germany Gerd’s Juke Joint
28-April Joldelund, Germany Gerd’s Juke Joint / duo show
30-April Norderstedt, Germany Music Star
1-May Bremen, Germany Meisenfrei
2-May Leiden, Netherlands Qbus
3-May Weert, Netherlands Moulin Blues
4-May Dortmund, Germany Musiktheater Piano
5-May Assen, Netherlands Bevrijdings Festival
7-May Burglengenfeld, Germany VAZ
8-May Zwickau, Germany St Barbara
9-May Eppstein, Germany Wunderbar
10-May Kufstein, Austria KuFa
11-May Ludwigshafen, Germany DasHaus
12-May Krefeld, Germany Kulturrampe
14-May Madrid, Spain El Sol
15-May Jerez, Spain La Guarida Del Angel
16-May Castellon, Spain Sala Because
17-May Valencia, Spain Loco Club
18-May Peer Belgium Blues Peer Festival
19-May Schöppingen Germany Grolsch Blues Festival
21-May Santander, Spain Sala Niagara
22-May Bilbao, Spain Antzokia
23-May A Coruña, Spain Sala Mardi Gras
24-May Aviles, Spain Niemeyer
25-May Vallés Spain Bocanegra
26-May San Sebastian, Spain Dabadaba
Spring / Summer USA / Canada / Romania Tour 2024
7-June – Montrose, CO, Montrose Summer Music Series
13-June – Syracuse, NY, New York State Blues Festival
14-June – Somers Point, NJ, Somer’s Point Beach Concerts
16-June – Franklin, PA, Franklin Blues & BBQ
18-June – Lima, NY, Fanatics
19-June – Sellersville, PA, Sellersville Theatre
20-June – Tuckerton, NJ, Lizzie Rose Music Room
21-June – Hagerstown, MD, HubCity Vinyl
22-June – Hughesville, PA, Billtown Blues Festival
5-July – Ottawa, Ontario, Ottawa Blues Fest
12-July – Omaha, NB, Playing with Fire
13-July – Kansas City, MO, Knuckleheads
19-July – Brezoi, Romania, Brezoi Open Air Festival
23-July – Syracuse, NY, Club 443
24-July – Syracuse, NY, Club 443
25-July – Athens, NY, Summer Music Series
28-July – Norwood, MA, Fallout Shelter
2-August – Pomeroy, OH, Big Bend Blues Bash
3-August – Nashville, TN, City Winery
4-August – Knoxville, TN, Tennessee Riverboat
9-August – Nanaimo, BC, Nanaimo Blues Festival
11-August – Wheeling, WV, Heritage Music Blues Fest
16-August – Norwich, NY, Chenango Blues Fest
17-August – Thornton, NH, White Mountain Boogie N’ Blues Fest
24-August – Ontonagon, MI, Porcupine Mountains Music Festival
29-August – Pelham, ON, Fonhtill Bandshell Concerts
6-September – Port Credit, ON, Southside Shuffle
7-September – Drumheller, AB, Canada Badlands Roots, Blues and BBQ
Europe Autumn Tour 2024
2-October Verviers, Belgium Spirit of 66
3-October Heilbronn, Germany Waldhaus
4-October Zaandam, Netherlands De Flux
5-October Enschede, Netherlands Mystiek Theatre
6-October Weert, Netherlands De Bosuil 8-October Fulda, Germany Kulturkeller
9-October Utrecht, Netherlands Tivoli (Cloud 9)
10-October Herent, Belgium GC De Wildeman
11-October Isernhagen, Germany Blues Garage
12-October Assen, Netherlands New Blues Festival
13-October Bonn, Germany Harmonie
About Bywater Call
Meghan Parnell (vocals) and Dave Barnes (guitar) are the founding members of Bywater Call, a powerhouse seven-piece Southern soul, roots rock band from Toronto, Canada. The band also features Bruce McCarthy (drums), Mike Meusel (bass), John Kervin (keyboards), Stephen Dyte (trumpet), and Julian Nalli (tenor sax).
Bywater Call has received multiple Independent Blues and Maple Blues Award nominations including Entertainer, Electric Act and Best Female Vocalist for the 2024 Awards Season. They have toured extensively in Europe where shows have been praised by Dutch, German, and UK media, with references to Meghan as one of the best female voices in blues and roots today.
In August 2023, the band participated in Joe Bonamassa’s third Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean Cruise alongside headliners Blackberry Smoke and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. They were invited to perform at the All-Star Jam on the mainstage with Bonamassa himself. Guitarist Dave Barnes was also asked to join legendary blues artist Jimmy Vivino (Conan O’Brien’s Basic Cable Band) on stage.
Bywater Call have commanded festival stages in Canada and around the world, often referred to as the “find of the fest”. In May of 2023, they opened for Canadian Award-winning band Whitehorse at the inaugural Smokestack Music Festival in Hamilton, Ontario. In July, Meghan joined renowned pedal-steel guitarist Robert Randolph on stage at his request, at the Briggs Farm Festival in Nescopeck, PA.
On October 24, 2023, Bywater performed a live stream performance on the German TV show and festival Rockpalast.
In 2023, the band played a total of 96 shows in 10 countries, 89 Cities, 19 US States and 3 Canadian Provinces. This is not including a month-long duo tour in Europe and the UK where Meghan and Dave opened for Southern California rockers Robert Jon & The Wreck, who have recently partnered with Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records.
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