The sultry outlaw country twang tunes of Erik Fines were the perfect way to nurse the Sunday morning FME hangover. Within the walls of Rouyn-Noranda’s weird, Twin Peaks-y community hall, the Order of the Moose, audience members were witness to warming lap steel guitar (Ben Valee), rambunctious and skilled saloon piano (Frisco Lee), driving bass (Aiden Keeley), tight ass drumming (Freddy Poulin), and shining rhythm and lead guitar by Erik Fines, complimented by his rugged storyteller ‘round the campfire vocals. The whole vibe felt like a neon prom night, or more correctly, a shotgun wedding band scenario slap dab in 1970 when a band like Crosby, Stills, & Nash, or Humble Pie was running things.
Everyone loved it, including the kids selling the merch in the back who were bopping along like guppies out of water. The backing vocals from Keeley and Lee created a stunning bed for the Country Ghost’s performance, including a “Tennessee Whiskey” cover and a legion of new songs out soon via Baby Horse Records. Two new tunes in particular, “Later Side of Early,” and “New York,” were most relatable to a bunch of drunken, drug-addled festival goers. With this next release, I envision Eriks Fines breaking through the barrier and becoming a name and guy you want to know.
