With his innate gift for melody, Peterborough singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Benj Rowland brings a sense of melancholy to his offbeat Celtic-infused Canadiana. From his alt-country beginnings in the hard touring duo Mayhemingways, Rowland has cut his own path through the Canadian independent folk scene, crafting records that are accessible while remaining challenging. Turning on a dime from a Galway Bay pub rave up to dusky prairie highway country, Rowland has a knack for both the hysteria of the late-night party and the introspection of the early morning comedown. On his 2022 solo debut Community Garden, Rowland’s vibe takes centre stage, layering and harmonizing multiple instruments, while his aforementioned gift for melody gives a feeling of Jay Farrar backed by The Pogues. His latest work finds him collaborating on Canadian indie rock-icon Joel Plaskett’s 2023 album The Window Inn Sessions. The three songs they cut together feature Rowland and Plaskett performing as a duo playing through a stream of continuous ideas live off the floor, which highlights Rowland’s ability to shine while leaving space for an artistic partner, as his songs stand shoulder to shoulder with Plaskett’s.

— Mike Dunn