The Weakerthans Create Reunion Tour After Four Years In Between Albums

WINNIPEG — The Weakerthans have a new record on their hands after four years, even if it came about somewhat accidentally.

On Sept. 25, Winnipeg's foremost indie band will release Reunion Tour, a record that began as a quick in-and-out recording session at Prairie Recording Co. in March. Stephen Carroll, John K. Samson, Greg Smith and Jason Tait quietly went into the studio to lay down some tracks that they thought might make it on to a future record, but under the prodding guidance of longtime friend and producer Ian Blurton, the band created what would eventually become Reunion Tour.

The Weakerthans' fourth full-length follows 2003's critically heralded Reconstruction Site. It's been a long time coming to fans of the band's eclectic and poetic arrangements of punk, folk and rock — and a four-year wait raises those fans' expectations.

"It puts the pressure on a little bit, to take that time, but we try not to think about it," Samson says with a laugh. "We just made the best record we could. We're really fond of it and we hope others will be too."

Because the 11-song album is the culmination of almost five years of writing, some tunes (such as "Utilities" and "Night Windows") have seen the stage a few times over the past couple years, while others have never touched the ears of anyone other than the band. As such, the record isn't exactly what you would call a departure, but it aptly showcases where The Weakerthans are at in terms of their sound.

"It's pretty linked to the other records," Samson says. "It's a very realistic record, I think. It's the closest thing to what we sound like."

Earlier this month, The Weakerthans shot a video with Winnipeg's Mighty Kraken Films for the album's first single, "Civil Twilight." The nine-hour shoot took place at a Winnipeg bus garage, and the unique video features Samson doubling as a Winnipeg Transit driver. Why would one willingly spend nine hours on a city bus, you ask? The song has a connection to The Guess Who's "Bus Rider."

Here are The Weakerthans' Canadian tour dates:

Oct. 6 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
Oct. 7 Victoria, BC @ Sugar Nightclub
Oct. 9 Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall Ballroom
Oct. 10-11 Edmonton, AB @ Myer Horowitz Theatre
Oct. 12 Regina, SK @ The Distrikt
Oct. 13 Saskatoon, SK @ Louis'
Nov. 2 Montreal, QC @ The National Cabaret
Nov. 3 Quebec City, QC @ Le Dagobert
Nov. 4 Ottawa, ON @ Capital Music Hall
Nov. 6 Kingston, ON @ Elixir
Nov. 8 Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix
Nov. 9 London, ON @ Call The Office