The Holy Gamblers

There’s two sides to the coin we collectively call country music, a genre split between stories of hard work and hard livin’, the ranch and the road, espousing both western wisdom and downright bad advice. These types of contradictions pepper any country record worth its salt, resulting in a sort of double vision that makes the music so true to life. Indeed, it’s a thin line that separates responsibility from reckless abandon, hardly any wider than a penny’s edge.

The Holy Gamblers know that line well, and they’re dealin’ in that currency.

Hell, their name itself speaks to some divide; some line running between virtue and vice, destiny and dumb luck. One of the two brought these guys together from the prairies of Saskatchewan and Alberta to the Tobacco Belt of Southern Ontario to settle in Toronto.

Or maybe it was their shared love of country music, each bringing with them a unique set of influences from the roots and shoots of the genre. Drawing heavily on the classic tones of Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr., the harmony-laden sound of So-Cal groups like The Flying Burrito Brothers and the Eagles, and the biting instrumentation of The Rolling Stones, The Holy Gamblers offer a unique blend of tradition and modernity.

The result is a sonic country sprawl, interweaving layers of guitar with pedal steel and rich vocal harmonies, all held down by a driving railcar rhythm section. In short, The Holy Gamblers have all the makings of a stone-cold honky tonk band. But don’t get the wrong idea... these guys have a tender side, too. While their first single, Three Sheets to the Wind, is a classic drinking anthem through and through, the delicate Ain’t No Lovin’ offers a fresh twist on themes of longing and lament. With these two releases under their belt, the Holy Gamblers are fast making a name for themselves in Toronto’s country music scene both as standout musicians and as adept storytellers.

That’s not to say it’s all been smooth sailing. COVID-19 hit shortly after the group formed, derailing any plans to practice and perform… Hardly ideal for a couple of aspiring honkytonkers. That said, The Holy Gamblers owe much of their sound to the pause offered by the pandemic. Lead guitarist Justin spent the lockdown picking away at his Sho-Bud pedal steel, perfecting what would become the cornerstone of The Gamblers’ sound. Meanwhile, cooped up with a wealth of ideas and a whole lot of alcohol, Duncan, Tyrell, and Warren penned melodies and lyrics to what would eventually evolve into the band’s current catalogue. Those first two singles were largely recorded in pieces, shared remotely, and assembled at a distance, demonstrating the group’s ability to continue collaborating in spite of the circumstances.

Yes, like just about everybody else during the pandemic, the boys showed they could work from home. But, if there’s a message to be found in their debut EP, Back Out on the Strip, it’s that The Holy Gamblers are ready to tear up the town. Having brought their high-energy performances to such Toronto mainstays as the legendary Horseshoe Tavern and the Cameron House, these four are fast establishing themselves as a must-see live act in the Southern Ontario circuit. And, with the release of more original music on July 1, you can bet on The Holy Gamblers playing a stage near you!