Words: Miljan Milekić
Edmonton’s Calling All Captains have been on my radar since their 2019 ‘Nothing Grows Here’ EP. I loved a couple of songs, but it was with their 2024 EP ‘(e)motion sickness’ that I fully embraced them. More importantly, that’s when I got to see them live. The energy, honesty, and deep connection the band has with their fans made me appreciate their music a lot more, and finally understand it at the level it deserves. With another amazing record, ‘The Things That I’ve Lost,‘ released earlier this year, and a cross-Canada tour supporting Red Jumpsuit Apparatus well underway – hitting Saskatoon on August 6th – it felt like a perfect time to catch up with singer Luc Gauthier. Check it out below!
Hey guys! How is the tour going so far? How many Supreme cookies did you get so far?
Luc: Hey there! Thanks for having us. The tour is going amazing, and I wish we got some of those! (laughs)
If I remember correctly, this is your first trip across Canada since the release of ‘The Things That I’ve Lost.’ How does it feel to finally bring these songs to the stage?
Luc: It feels phenomenal! They have such great energy, and we didn’t realize how much fun we’d have performing them. Lots of new flavours to add in for our live set alongside our previous material.
How happy are you with the reactions so far – considering this is not your headline tour – and how do you feel about the feedback to the EP as a whole?
Luc: It feels very supportive. Everybody who comes to hear the new songs is singing along to every word. It feels surreal to have such a section of fans even on a tour that isn’t our own.
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Some of the songs like ‘A New Type of Gray’ and ‘Dark Clouds’ seem to already be fan favourites, similarly to ‘wallflower’ and ‘skin & bones’ from ‘(e)motion sickness,’ which drew some of the biggest singalongs the last time I saw you. How does it feel to see your fans embrace new music in such a way?
Luc: I can only describe it as amazing! With every song we put out, we have zero idea how it will be received. With each of the pairs of releases, they almost feel like sister songs – ‘wallflower’ with ‘A New Type of Gray’ and ‘skin & bones’ with ‘Dark Clouds.’
Your lyrics are very introspective and personal, often vulnerable but without ever feeling forced. How hard can it feel to open up like that in a very public way, and how does it feel to see so many people connect and relate to your words?
Luc: It feels warm to have such support, but it breaks my heart that they relate so personally. Even with traumas and situations that are drastically different than mine, it’s a painfully warm embrace to have a community of people who are all going through something.
I got the chance to catch you guys in Saskatoon twice over the past three years, and one thing especially caught my attention. I’ve been to quite a few shows at that venue, but I have rarely seen it this packed, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many Indigenous fans at a punk or hardcore show. How important is it for you as a band to reach this audience and connect with young people in the Indigenous community, especially since there aren’t many bands that do so?
Luc: It’s heavily important. When I was growing up, I had such a deep love for alternative music and the emo music and scene, but it felt lonely that I never saw anybody who was indigenous in these bands. I want to do well with Calling All Captains so that some Indigenous kid out there knows that it’s all possible. To let them know that you can be proud of your culture and participate in any space you want to. And succeed.
Some of you guys are fans of skateboarding and skateboarding culture. Do you feel like your music has found its way into the skateboarding and extreme sports community, and how much are you personally involved in it? I know that wrists and ankles are pretty important for touring musicians.
Luc: I feel like it’s getting there. We just put out our very first skateboard, but I’d love to collaborate with an already existing skateboard company to make something even more meaningful towards the scene that’s always felt there for me. We do some mild-risk activities, but rarely do I throw myself down stairs anymore. (laughs)
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One thing I love about your band is your visuals, and especially merch design. It feels like a lot of your designs draw inspiration from the skateboarding and streetwear aesthetics while also embracing elements of Indigenous art. How do you approach your visual identity as a band, and where do you find the inspiration for it?
Luc: It’s always changing, like the way we write music! We work with different artists and let them bring their vision to life in terms of how our music can be interpreted. I wish we had some specifically Indigenous-inspired artwork! Anything you’ve seen must’ve been a coincidence.
Last question – for any bands or skate crews heading out here, what are the three best places to grab a bite, and the three safest places to take a shit along the roads of Western Canada?
Luc: Flying J’s truck stops are always the best. Ninetimes Skateshop for all your skate needs, and From Another for the best vintage and streetwear!
Follow Calling All Captains:
Website: callingallcaptainsband.com
Instagram: instagram.com/callingallcaptains
Facebook: facebook.com/Callingallcaptainsband
*Interview edited for length and clarity