“Friday and Saturday during Cityfolk boasted some amazing Ottawa talent featured as a part of Marvest… a showcase series organized by the festival. Several Bank Street businesses were the site of these shows, and on Friday night, I dropped by FarmTeam Cookhouse to catch a couple of our local artists, the first one being Tribe Royal. Outside on the restaurant’s large patio and parking lot was where it was all happening, looking every bit like a vibrant campground scene with Adirondack chairs and tables scattered below the raised porch area, and the band set up on a section of the parking lot. A four-piece indie band, named Tribe Royal, had just started their set and the music grabbed me instantly. Their sound covered a diverse spectrum of rootsy alt-rock flavours that delved into off-shoots of country, blues, folk, and classic rock. Laid back, easy listening, and dance inducing, every song delivered a feel-good”

““ Ottawa alternative folk rock band Tribe Royal may not have been alive during the ’60s and ’70s, but that doesn’t stop them from being apart of the revival. The indie four piece turn back the clocks with generous harmonies, vintage rock groove, and sing-along melodies reminiscent of the pioneering days of Americana and folk rock. Set to release their second album Colours of the Sun this May, but before then, Tribe Royal have shared their lead single “Wasting Time”. Incorporating elements of ’60s rock, and ’70s folk into their sound, the new single is perfect for the upcoming summer months and the open road. Built around the laid-back, harmony-fuelled chorus of “Wasting time / day after day”, “Wasting Time” is driven forward with energetic percussion and a crafty guitar solo, as Tribe Royal create bright, summery tunes without needing to try too hard. “”

““Tribe Royal have an innate sense of melody, harmony and just really know how to write a song. I have produced hundreds of records and I instantly noticed something special about this band. Live they hit hard with what I would describe as a level I usually see in much older seasoned players and in studio they are professional, focused and really know what the end game is supposed to be””

“On February 4th Tribe Royal performed as the sole rock band during a night of Ottawa Metalcore here at Leaky B’s. The energy in the room took a 180 degree turn as soon as they began playing and they continued to perform a fantastic set. I caught up with members Chris and Bram afterwards and asked them a few questions about the creation of their band, their songwriting, and their ambitious goals for the near future. They had a lot to say about who they are and the music they make, which you can listen to in this audio clip It is obvious Tribe Royal have some big plans and even bigger expectations for themselves, you’ll be able to catch them soon in Ottawa as well as follow the links below for music, videos, and more about the band”

““Tribe Royal's sound is radio friendly and has a basis in commercial viability while remaining fresh and profound. They pay homage to a tried and true musical formula that they infuse with a fresh twist. With contemporary subject matter and a disarming likeability that takes the audience off guard and lifts them to a less stressed, comfortable world devoid of angst. They are a breath of fresh air in a stuffy room infused with complaint.””

““SA: Lastly, what’s in store for Tribe Royal in 2016 and onwards? TR: In 2016 we’ve got an album coming out, a major summer tour already booked with a second in the works, lots of larger gigs, music videos, a third album in the works and many more adventures. You can look at the future a couple different ways. One, you can wander off into blackness. The other you can charge forward into blinding light. We don’t really know what to expect but I think we’re gonna give it a charge.””

“GG: You've been making moves in Ottawa, how'd you get into music? Tribe Royal: "Each of us got into it at different times for various reasons but at the end of the day it really comes down to the fact that it’s a hobby of emotion and expression. We’ve all had experiences in different projects over the years and Chris and I saw an opportunity to create something more meaningful. We’re really lucky to have found Mike and Bram a few months later as they not only complement but expand and improve our sound. We’re all in it for very much the same reasons. When you’re writing or working on a song you don’t have time to be thinking or worrying about other things, it’s just the music. We all find that really beautiful. In a way, music has kind of saved each of us."”

"The Samadhi album is a wonderful mosaic of sounds that I would like to put on the same shelf with: The Beatles, Neil Young, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bob Dylan, The Crash Test Dummies and more. You will hear beautifully arranged guitars, Hammond organ, harmonica, solid bass lines, flowing funky beats, world sounds such as steel drums, layered together with socially conscious vocals ranging from the lennonesque sensitive to the baritone masculine”