The Dust Collectors take us on a nostalgic ride with their debut alternative country EP “Filtered Gems”. With Matt Easton on lead vocals and lead guitar, Luke Giblin on rhythm guitar, and mandolin, and shares lead vocal duty with Matt, Steve Rozitis on bass and backing vocals, and Scott Stolee on drums and backing vocals. After years of playing in different bands independently, casual night jamming sessions brought them together where they felt their undeniable chemistry and coherence right away. This encouraged them to start working on a demo EP in 2018 and play shows in their home city of Calgary.
“Filtered Gems” is a self-produced EP consisting of 6 songs, recorded with Pat Palardy at Public Lunch Studios in Calgary. The band showcases its ability to fuse different styles and genres making each song unique and offering something new to the listener. Matt and Luke add to this diversity with each having a flawless voice with different timbres. Alternating lead vocals throughout the EP fit each song perfectly with melodic and catchy vocals. With backing vocals in each song that add depth and harmonies to the lead vocals.
The lyrics are poetic and well-written, with a compelling storytelling element that paints a full picture for the listener to enjoy.
They open the EP with “Take a Dive” an up-beat acoustic guitar accompanied by a hurdy-gurdy and strings in the background and grounded by a thumping bass and drums groove creating a “boot-stomping sea-shanty-inspired” vibe that forces the listener to dance along. “Murder, I Wrote” is a story about “boy meets girl, girl leaves boy, boy buries girl in the back forty” that instantly gives an old western movie vibe. With mandolin, melodic guitar licks, warm vocals, backing vocals, country bass, and drums groove and highlighted by a one-strum lead guitar lick that feels like a bullet ricochet. With their third song, “Dandelion,” the band is able to capture a sad heartbreak atmosphere, with downbeat Americana guitar, bass, and drums, groovy sprinkled with emotional violin. “Old No. 9 Train” speaks to the fact that sometimes it can be difficult to confront our own truths and accept ourselves for who we are, in an old-school country ambiance. “Better Times” has a theme of perseverance and hope where the band comes all together in “four-part harmonies singing” over an acoustic guitar and a harmonizing mandolin. The Dust Collectors deliver an EP that is both musically and lyrically engaging. ‘Filtered Gems’ is a must-listen for any fan of folk and country.