Red Hot Hayseeds might have started out with three musicians, but the group is bigger now. “We’re very much not a trio,” laughs the band’s co-founder, Tyler Allen. These days, you’re more likely to see six people on stage.
“It’s fun,” says Allen. “Sometimes it’s difficult to get people together, but it’s just not the same without everyone.”
The Calgary-based group makes music that can best be described as Western Swing. “The essence and the spirit of the music comes through in big ensembles,” says Allen. “It’s developed into something that’s in that tradition, but also our own thing.”
The band now has a self-titled EP (2020), and a full-length album called I Don’t Want A Secondhand Romance (2023). The tunes have been called “new old-time music,” and according to Lethbridge’s Steven Foord, “Red Hot Hayseeds are timeless in the truest sense, simultaneously fresh, yet familiar . . . a complete time warp powered by top-notch musicianship.”
Busy schedules for all the band-members make it difficult to plan more recordings, but Allen says, “We definitely want to make another record.”
This summer, the focus will be on playing live. Festivals are fun, and The Calgary Stampede is a favourite summer gig, too. Allen says, “We always look forward to playing the ‘Hank and Patsy Night’ at The Ship and Anchor. It’s a Hank Williams and Patsy Cline tribute night, and we’ve played that for years.” This year’s event takes place on July 9, and there’s a free pancake breakfast at midnight. What’s not to love?
Another festival stop will be the Weayaya Solar Powered Music Festival, July 5 – 6. This community-minded festival takes place near the Blindman River on a farm between Bentley and Rimbey. Founder and festival organizer Karen Magee says, “Our festival is all Alberta acts, and it’s completely solar powered.”
Magee’s decision to book Red Hot Hayseeds for Weayaya was an easy one. “I’ve been trying to get them since 2023, and I’m so glad they’re coming this year.”
Magee says, “We have such talented people here. I really don’t need to go anywhere else to find fabulous acts.”
Find out where you can see Red Hot Hayseeds play live this summer at instagram.com/redhothayseeds
Hear “Low Rolling Plains” by Red Hot Hayseeds:
