When Red Shag Carpet released ‘Lift and Drop’ in 2006, it was received as a soul-fired piece, “smoldering with ragged piano, folk and punk spirit” (Edmonton Journal). Props to their cherished hinterland home, ‘Lift and Drop’ was praised as “drubbing, well made rock by yet another band to know about from the City of Champions (Edmonton)” (Globe and Mail). And after nearly 300 live shows supporting the album over numerous Canadian tours, their blue collar ethic and honest approach to rock and roll earned them a solid indie reputation, one critic going as far as calling them "The best kind of rock band around" (CBC radio 3).
A unique collaboration of 4 songwriters- alone drawing comparison to The Band and Gomez- their sound has been likened to Wilco, Sam Roberts and Spoon: a ragged edge alternative kind of pop.
On ‘Down Like A Lion’ Red Shag Carpet has pushed past the musical boundaries of ‘lift and drop’, enriched their musical landscape, and captured it all with a wide-angle view. While their sound has matured and expanded, this record is still anchored at its core to the sincerity, energy and camaraderie of this 4-piece.
The album was recorded during the Edmonton winter of 2009/2010. Created with the help of producer and engineer Nik Kozub (NRMLS WLCM, Shout out out out out), the unique sound of the album was achieved not through complexity and studio magic, but via an earnest approach: the genuine timbre of a concertina piano, roomy guitars, a simple and driving rhythm section, the truthful quality of recording live off the floor- all punctuated by the occasional brass flourish, violin, clap, stomp and percussive color.
With multiple writers and singers collaborating in the group, the narrative evolves and replenishes as frequently as the voices come and go. Holistically, it is an honest telling of visceral lust, the catharsis of love, and finding resilience, closeness and peace in spite of it all.
Ted Ani (guitars/banjo and Voice)
Allan Pickard (Drums and Voice)
Matti Darrah (Piano and Voice)
Daniel Yarmon (Bass/Horn and Voice)
