On Wednesday, October 29th Canadian Roots, Rock, and Soul band Bywater Call are excited to release their second studio single of 2025, ‘Ain’t No Friend Of Mine‘.
Watch the official ‘Ain’t No Friend of Mine‘ music video on YouTube.
The single is available on all streaming platforms – here.
‘Ain’t No Friend of Mine‘ is a ripping, rootsy, blues rock anthem about betrayal and broken friendship. Inspired by the styles of Gary Clark Jr, The Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, Marcus King and the Rolling Stones, the song boasts a driving rhythm section, smoky female vocals and searing electric guitar.
“We wanted to write something bold and confident, mixing traditional blues influences with a modern rock attitude” say lead singer Meghan Parnell. “The intention was to convey the strength in acknowledging hurt, letting it out, sharing it and then letting it go for good. This is reflective in the gang vocal yell in the chorus, which is meant to be freeing and powerful to sing along to.”
The song was recorded at Palace Studios in Toronto, captured and mixed by Patric McGroarty, and mastered by Kristian Montano of Montano Mastering. The music video was shot in studio, by Zack Murray of Lightning House Media, who captured a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the track.
The single arrives hot on the heels of their live album ‘Sunshine‘, met with rave reviews last August and the band’s previous single ‘Hold Me Down‘, released in September.
“This seven-piece powerhouse outfit proves with this astonishing display of joy, energy and camaraderie that they are one of the most exciting bands of the moment.” – Bluestown Music
“A living, breathing testament to what happens when a band catches fire, led by a vocalist who doesn’t just perform but preaches the blues. Bywater Call isn’t following the tradition, they’re pushing it forward one show at a time” – Blues Matters
Often transcending genres, Bywater Call is known for their dynamic, emotional live shows, featuring powerful vocals and exciting interplay between all band members.
In their August 2024 issue, Classic Rock made Bywater Call’s 2024 album Shepherd their “Blues Album of the Month” and said it was “an inventive and uncommonly catchy record,” and added, “the sense of a band on the brink is unmistakable.” The album was also selected as the “Top Blues Album of the Year” in the magazine’s year-end round-up.
Early 2025 the band was nominated for the UK Blues Awards for “International Act of the Year” for the second year in a row.
In November 2025, Bywater Call headline their third UK tour and play Planet Rock’s Planet Rockstock Festival in Wales on 27th November. Tickets are available from The Gig Cartel and Bywater Call.
Planet Rock & The Gig Cartel Present:
Bywater Call – November 2025 UK Tour
Special Guest: Dan Patlansky Lss 
Tickets available – here
London, The Garage
Wednesday 19th November 2025
Tickets
20-22 Highbury Corner, London, N5 1RD
Website
Southend, Chinnerys
Thursday 20th November 2025
Tickets
21-22 Marine Parade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2EJ
Website
Gloucester, Guildhall
Friday 21st November 2025
Tickets
23 Eastgate St, Gloucester, GL1 1NS
Website
Newcastle, Anarchy Brew
Saturday 22nd November 2025
Tickets
Benfield Business Park, Unit A1, Benfield Rd,
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE6 4NQ
Website
Glasgow, Oran Mor
Sunday 23rd November 2025
Tickets
Top of Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8QX
Website
Leeds, Brudenell
Tuesday 25th Novmeber 2025
Tickets
33 Queen’s Rd, Burley, Leeds, LS6 1NY
Website
Manchester, Band On The Wall
Wednesday 26th November 2025
Tickets
25 Swan St, Manchester, M4 5JZ
Website
Southampton, The Brook
Friday 28th November 2025
Tickets
466 Portswood Rd, Southampton, SO17 3SD
Website
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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