Sean Burns was the host of radio show Boots &. Saddle on CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg for over 230 episodes spanning between December 2016 to May 22. The Northern Report Podcast was launched in 2021 as an arena for Sean to interview artists from local legends to regional stars and the cream of the Canadian crop. To date he has had a number of albums and singles released of which LOST COUNTRY is his latest. It is an outstanding album that pays tribute to some of Canada’s finest traditional country music singers from the past.
In 2022 Burns become the bass player and newest member of Corb Lund & The Hurtin’ Albertans. When he’s not on the road with Corb, he regularly performs around Winnipeg and across Western Canada, solo or with his band, Lost Country. Which is currently a lean and mean trio with Sean on upright and electric bass, Grant Siemens on guitar and Joanna Miller of drums and vocals.
Your deep love of traditional country is obvious from your recorded music. When did you initially become interested in that traditional genre?
Country music - traditional country music - is the earliest music I recall hearing but it wasn’t until I was 14 or 15 that it really took hold of me.
How was life growing up, obviously with a name like Sean Burns, there is likely to be some Irish heritage in your background.
Yeah, we’re a blend to be sure. Mix of Scottish, Irish, English, French. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-20’s that I was really exposed and dug into the traditional music and literature from over there.
You are currently touring, and recording with Corb Lund. How is that experience?
I’m so grateful and thankful for the opportunity to play in that band. I’ve never met anyone as dedicated to their craft and to this life as Corb is. There’s a high expectation every night and that’s the kind of pressure I’ve always wanted. We tour often and we tour hard, and when we’re out there, it’s typically 6 shows a week, so it can be a grind, but it’s very rewarding. He’s got a strong and dedicated fan base and every night is a meaningful show. We cut a record in the Spring that’s coming out in February. He wrote some really great songs for that.
Is it much different from your own gigs, and do you play mainly solo or with a band?
The primary difference is in the size of the fanbase and venue. In Canada, especially in Western Canada and in the American West, we play some fairly large rooms. In my solo work, my audience is a little humbler in size. But often the same kind of venues. This year I’ve almost exclusively operated as a Trio; sometimes a 4 piece. Less solo gigging these days but it’s something I still do and do consciously. I had a nice little solo tour in Saskatchewan & Alberta earlier this year. It was nice to make sure I could still do the thing.
Your new album is full of nuggets from earlier country acts. How big a scene was that through the years? Hank Snow might be the best-known from the early days.
Big in some sense. There was plenty of work to be had in the taverns and bars for about 30 years. You could stay home and gig constantly, earning a middle-class wage. Or you could stay on the road for 50 weeks a year. On stage 6 nights a week. So, from that comes all of these great artists and musicians and most of them, you’d never know of if you didn’t live in their town. Hank Snow was, and is a legend, no doubt. He moved South and was a big star, as we all know, but the fellas we covered for Lost Country, well they were mainly local legends, some who didn’t tour at all. The Honky-Tonk, Country music scene was thriving in Toronto from the early 1960’s-90’s. Western Canada to even out in the Maritimes where maybe the money wasn’t as good, always had country music happening. As it goes though, folks flock to where the people, jobs and money are so the larger markets, especially places like Toronto and Calgary had heavy infrastructure and support for working musicians. Tons of working bands, pickers and singers.
Did you have to scour second-hand and thrift stores to find original albums, or is it now easier to find the songs online?
It’s extremely difficult to find some of the music online. I spent a lot of time on discogs.com doing research when I was hosting Boots & Saddle (on CKUW) and didn’t take long for me to start ordering copies of whatever I could find that I was interested in. You pay a ton for shipping, but it’s worth it.
What is the attitude to hardcore country over there?
I think there will always be fans of hardcore country music out there but in terms of the broader interest, accessibility or understanding from the music business and consumers here, I’d suggest it appears there’s a disinterest.
My own experience with country music from Canada was limited to the few acts who released in the US such as Prairie Oyster and Blue Rodeo other than an album by Scotty Campbell. Would they have been considered more mainstream?
Of the acts you mentioned, Blue Rodeo “crossed-over” the most in to the mainstream. Not to say that I’m not a fan or appreciate them, but it’s not the kind of country music that moves the needle for me. Prairie Oyster was a favourite of mine from a very young age. They were the LAST actual Country Music band to be regularly played on commercial radio in Canada. They have some great records. Scotty, who we covered on this record, falls more into a similar category to me and my path in my solo career. I mean, I still regularly play some of the same rooms Scotty did 20 years ago... Scotty is certainly the most old-school honky-tonker of the groups mentioned.
Where do you draw inspiration for your original songs, from listening to older material or creating something from your own experiences?
I try to draw on my own experiences or relay stories or scenes I’ve observed. I look back to the classic country songs to remind myself that you can tell your story with simple, relatable language. Doing that correctly and doing it well is more difficult than it seems.
Canada is a large country; I would imagine that presents difficulties for a touring band.
Touring Canada is a serious grind. It’s not uncommon for a 6-8 hour drive to happen on a show day. In America, you often have a major or semi-major market every 2-3 hours. It just isn’t like that here. We don’t have the population or as strong a culture surrounding live music as our neighbour’s downstairs do.
Do you have a particular favourite from the tracks on Lost Country?
Less on favourite tracks and more on favourite moments. Grant Siemens solo on The Final Word, Mike Weber’s Pedal Steel playing on Destroy Me and Drinkin’ Me Six Foot Under, Dennis Conn’s guitar solo on Drinkin’ Me Six Foot Under, Redd Volkaert’s guitar solo on The Same Old Thing Again, Sean O’Grady’s perfect drumming on Before She Made Me Crawl, Paul Weber’s vocals on Me And The Old Promised Land.
But if you're making me choose ... Drinkin' Me Six Foot Under, Souvenir, Before She Made Me Crawl.
Have you had opportunities to travel overseas or tour in the USA much?
As a solo artist, not overseas but a little bit in the USA. A ton in America as part of Corb’s band. We’re down there more than anywhere.
How did the pandemic and recent events affect you personally as a musician?
Well yeah, I mean, it was crippling emotionally. Beyond the financial hit it was the absence of connection and the loss of release you get performing live. That said, I got a lot of shit done. Made a lot of content for Boots & Saddle and The Northern Report Podcast. Put out a solo record, recorded and released the TRUCKIN’ album with the Lost Country band here in Winnipeg.
At that time, for those artists, was there a particular sense of clothing and style which related to the music they played?
I’d have to say no; there’s no adhering to a sense of style. These folks we covered were in the trenches and we’re a little more blue-collar and didn’t wear (or couldn’t afford) nice suits like Webb Pierce or Porter Wagoner would’ve worn in those years. In terms of visuals, it was the album art and design that I wanted to ensure could capture that feel and look of yesteryear.
What’s next for Sean Burns as a solo artist and as a band member?
We’re playing a show at our hometown spot, the Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club (234 Main Street, downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) the night the album comes out. I’m on the road with Corb for all of November and have a handful of local shows with my band in December. Busy year ahead touring with Corb in support of his new album. When Corb touring slows down, we’ll likely do some touring with my band to bring the new album out to the people.
Interview by Stephen Rapid