Canadian blues, soul, and rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Marcus Trummer is excited to announce the release of his highly anticipated studio album From The Start. The album, released by Gypsy Soul Records on Friday 15thNovember 2024, is available to pre-order on vinyl and CD HERE.
The second single “Waiting For Change,” released Friday August 23rd, is available on all streaming platforms HEREand on YouTube audio HERE.
“I wrote Waiting For Change after feeling powerless to change things going on in society and in politics that I felt weren’t right,” says Trummer. “It’s a message of empowerment that serves as a reminder to me and others that you don’t have to be complacent with the direction culture is going in. Life is too short to waste time being afraid to stand up for what we believe in.”
Produced and mixed by The Commoners’ guitarist Ross Hayes Citrullo and Renan Yildizdogan (Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Bywater Call, The Commoners), From the Start features Silas Trummer (drums) and Stacey Shopsowitz (bass).
The album also features contributions from two members of The Commoners, who made a significant impact in the UK and Europe this year: Miles Evans-Branagh (keys and piano), and Adam Cannon (drums). Additionally, the album features two-time Juno nominee, Canadian soul sensation Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar’s horn section, with Tom Moffett (trumpet) and Andrew Moljgun(saxophone). The soulful background vocals are provided by Gypsy Soul recording artist Nicky Lawrence.
From The Start is Marcus Trummer’s debut record. A young blood with an old soul, Trummer marries modern sensibilities with tradition in his distinctive style that encompasses blues, soul, and rock. Dubbed “a precocious guitarist whose vocals possess a wise-beyond-his-years weariness,” by the Calgary Herald, the Calgary-born artist is already earning critical acclaim and recognition.
In September 2019, Trummer was the recipient of the “Prophets of Music Emerging Artist Award” at Calgary’s YYC Music Awards. In 2022, he won “Blues Recording of the Year” at Calgary’s YYC Music Awards.
Photo by Heather Saitz
In 2022, Trummer received a nomination for “New Artist of the Year” at the Maple Blues Awards in Toronto. The following year, he travelled to Colorado to perform as a finalist in the 2023 Telluride Blues Challenge, which he would go on to win.
Marcus Trummer’s music draws inspiration from the timeless sounds of the 60s and 70s. With his warm and emotive vocals, Trummer pays respect to classic soul singers like Bill Withers and Al Green.
His expressive guitar work channels the impassioned approach of players like B.B. King and Jimi Hendrix. Packed with raw emotion and honesty, Trummer’s songwriting is not to be overlooked. His thoughtful lyrics examine universal subjects of love and coming of age, unpacking experiences that resonate with all listeners.
ALBUM TRACK LISTING
1. Holding Out For You (3:38)
2. Let You Down (3:30)
3. Hard Time (3:44)
4. Waiting For Change (4:28)
5. The Only Thing (4:24)
6. From The Start (4:53)
7. Break My Fall (5:07)
8. Not The Same (4:31)
9. Ready To Go (5:01)
10. Let The Devil Win (4:11)
MARCUS TRUMMER – ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK
1. Holding Out For You
This is a song about “the one that got away,” so to speak. It’s a reflection on a past relationship that didn’t work out, and that sliver of hope that someday circumstances might change, and it would work out.
2. Let You Down
Simply put, this song articulates an assurance of commitment to a relationship. Although written from the perspective of a romantic relationship, I hope listeners can also interpret the lyrics as a statement of my dedication to them. I take the relationships in my life seriously, and that includes the relationships with the people who support my music.
3. Hard Time
This one is about the fact that love is ultimately what matters and is what we need to be aimed at spreading. Our world is truly a crazy and chaotic place, with what feels like endless division, conflict, and tragedy. With all the pain and suffering out there, I believe love is the only answer. It can be easy to forget when you’re caught up in the daily grind of it all, but it truly is everything and I try to keep that in mind.
4. Waiting For Change
I wrote this song after feeling powerless to change things going on in society and in politics that I felt weren’t right. It’s a message of empowerment that serves as a reminder to me and others that you don’t have to be complacent with the direction culture is going in. Life is too short to waste time being afraid to stand up for what we believe in.
5. The Only Thing
I lean on my classic blues influences more for this song than any other on the record. It’s a slow blues and is a nod to one of my biggest blues heroes B.B. King.
6. From The Start
This song is about looking back as a relationship is failing and realizing how it clearly wasn’t meant to be from the start. They say hindsight is 20/20 and that can be so true, especially in a romantic context where your feelings in the beginning can taint your perspective of reality.
7. Break My Fall
This is a song about struggling with loneliness while taking a unique path in life. Being an up-and-coming musician can feel isolating at times, it’s a lot of work and a lot of being misunderstood. I think it’s the combination of being busy, traveling a lot, and not having a conventional experience that’s relatable to others that causes this. I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s, but it does come with some challenges.
8. Not The Same
This song speaks to the process of growth and how it can be hard to shed your past identity as you evolve. This is especially the case when others don’t recognize your change immediately and still view you as your past self. Sometimes you need to make it clear that you are not the same.
9. Ready To Go
This is about falling out of love with the place I grew up in after watching it become something I no longer liked. It was born out of some dark times I experienced personally where I was going through a lot of changes, and I had become disenchanted with my community. At the time, I was pretty hopeless and lost. It felt like the world as I knew it would never be the same.
10. Let The Devil Win
This song is somewhat of a response to the previous one. It’s a call to action to anyone who feels things are headed in the wrong direction. Ultimately, being overcome by sadness with what’s going on is not the answer. The only way forward is to find it in you to fight for what is right and strive to be a force for good in the world, despite the resistance you may encounter.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Marcus Trummer – Guitars and Vocals
Silas Trummer – Drums
Stacey Shopsowitz – Bass
Miles Evans-Branagh – Organ and Piano
Nicky Lawrence – Background Vocals
Tom Moffett – Trumpet
Andrew Moljgun – Saxophone
All songs written by Marcus Trummer
Produced and mixed by Renan Yildizdogan and Ross Hayes Citrullo
Recorded at RHC Music, Toronto, Canada
Horn arrangements by Andrew Moljgun
Mastered by Connor Salmoral
Album Photography by Heather Saitz
Album Design by Natasha Macdonald
