I suppose even when you tour the States, cities and towns are relatively closer together, whereas here they can be very spread out: Eight hours or more to the next gig.

Downie: That's the great thing about playing in the States, is that there are as many places to play as the rest of the world combined, probably. You gotta go there. If you're a working musician you gotta go there and play, because there's so much there, to do and see and enjoy.

Contreras: There's also an extra-volatile energy in the air. But that's sort of like in the rest of the world. Canada is very calm. It's a calm place, and that volatility isn't there. You're never worried that some guy's gonna pull a gun on you, unless you end up in the wrong part of town. And even then you have to try really hard to find someone with a gun…

Downie: [Laughs] "Excuse me, you got a gun?"

Contreras: …but in the U.S., you just don't know. And this could be Canadian ignorance, but I truly don't think so. There's a volatility in the air. And that's exciting. You show up at shows and there's just a little more… something."

Next: "HEY, LET'S WRITE A SONG ABOUT TIMMINS!"