Sean Burns has been a working musician since his late teens, and he’s played upright bass in Corb Lund’s band, The Hurtin’ Albertans, for five years.
He’s a solid sideman, known for his musical chops and versatility. And he’s grateful for the opportunities that have come his way through that work.
“I was all in on my own thing for years before the opportunity with Corb came up,” he says. “It’s a great job, and I love Corby. So it was kind of a no-brainer to say yes to that. And I’ve been able to have a balance. We have some stretches of time off. We go hard, and then we have a little break. And I plug into my own thing during those breaks.”
Now he’s taking centre stage (again) with his new album, Better Off In Time & Other Songs For The Dance Floor. It’s a collection of ten original songs, inspired by everything from traditional honky-tonks to dancehall country music.
The band’s full name is Sean Burns & Lost Country, and the album was recorded at Winnipeg’s No Fun Club recording studio, with co-producers Skinny Dyck and Scott Franchuk. It features Burns and his band: guitarist Christopher Bryan Dunn, drummer Joanna Miller, and pedal steel guitarist Dan Russell. Fiddle and piano are also in the mix.
The traditional dancehall songs have less focus on electric guitar, says Burns. “There’s pedal steel, and if I can have two fiddle players, I do. It’s a record for dancing.”
Equally comfortable on electric bass and upright, Burns acknowledges that the upright is the best fit for his style of music. “Electric bass was my first instrument, and I played guitar in high school. I started playing the upright bass in 2013. Now upright has become the thing I spend the most time and energy on. And I enjoy playing it the most. It’s demanding, but it’s rewarding.”
A 2023 review on the site Saving Country Music stated, “Sean Burns might be the most important person in the entire nation of Canada when it comes to the preservation of traditional country music.”
Such a comment might be overwhelming for an artist to hear, but Burns says it doesn’t feel like pressure. He says, “No, it feels affirming of the work we do.”
He adds, “The battle over what is and what isn’t country music can be polarizing. I get into the conversations too, but I don’t think about that when we’re on stage. I just want to make sure that we’re well structured, and that we’re paying respect to the people I look up to.”
Sean Burns has a variety of gigs coming up in Alberta, including a performance with Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans at Edmonton Folk Fest. In September, he’ll be on tour to promote the album Better Off In Time & Other Songs For The Dance Floor. Find all dates and info here.
“Glory for Me” is from the new album by Sean Burns & Lost Country, Better Off In Time & Other Songs For The Dance Floor.
