A lot has happened since Toronto based alt-country troubadours Cuff The Duke were last in Lethbridge opening for Blue Rodeo about a year ago.
They will be returning to Lethbridge to play the Slice , Oct. 26 with the Hooded Fang.
They have suffered loss, have grown up a little and recorded a new CD exploring those themes called “Morning Comes,” with Blue Rodeo’s Greg Keelor at the helm.
“It’s pretty awesome to have a guy like that interested in and getting excited about our songs. It was great working with him,” said Cuff The Duke vocalist/ organist/ pianist/guitarist Wayne Petti.
While Keelor didn’t play on the CD, he did produce it.
Loss is a significant theme the band explores on their latest CD.
“Loss is the overall theme for the CD — a changing of the guard and reflecting on the past,” Petti said adding while the lyrics are melancholic and introspective, the music and the melodies are really upbeat.
They are already well on their way to having the music for the next CD.
“The next one is going to be a lot more upbeat,” Petti noted.
The band had the record completely recorded in six days and are looking forward to the tour, which includes guitarist Jordan Howard, who is helping fill out the band’s sound.
“He’s a great guitar player. We’ve never toured with him, but he’s played local shows with us,”’ Petti said.
They have been lucky to tour with bands like Wilco as well as Blue Rodeo and Sloan, who brought them to Lethbridge a few years ago.
“We hope people will remember us from those shows and come and see the full show,” he said.
Cuff the Duke play with the Hooded Fang, Oct. 26 at the Slice. There is a $10 cover. The show begins at 9 p.m.
