Following hot on the heels of their live album Sunshine, and currently on tour in the UK, Canadian Roots, Rock, and Soul band Bywater Call has released their second studio single of 2025 in ‘Ain’t No Friend of Mine‘.
Driven by an unrepentant drumbeat, impassioned and angry but soulfully imbued vocals, while a slide guitar scowls and horns rage from the sidelines, it’s safe to say that Bywater Call act as one on new single ‘Ain’t No Friend of Mine‘.
‘Ain’t No Friend of Mine’ is a ripping, rootsy, blues rock anthem about betrayal and broken friendship. Inspired by the styles of Gary Clark Jr, The Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, Marcus King and The Rolling Stones, the song boasts a driving rhythm section, smoky female vocals and searing electric guitar.
“We wanted to write something bold and confident, mixing traditional blues influences with a modern rock attitude” said lead singer Meghan Parnell. “The intention was to convey the strength in acknowledging hurt, letting it out, sharing it and then letting it go for good. This is reflective in the gang vocal yell in the chorus, which is meant to be freeing and powerful to sing along to.”
The song was recorded at Palace Studios in Toronto, captured and mixed by Patric McGroarty, and mastered by Kristian Montano of Montano Mastering. The music video was shot in studio, by Zack Murray of Lightning House Media, who captured a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the track.
The single is available on all streaming platforms here and you can check out the video below, as you can their first studio single of 2025, ‘Hold Me Down’.
“I’m getting old” sings Meghan Parnell on Bywater Call’s ‘Hold Me Down’ but the single falls into that timeless category – A soulful groove with the kind of classy vocals we’ve come to expect from this band, but oh, their horn section’s also been gaining some love and due attention of late.
Reminiscent of classic soul, infused with modern influences such as Alabama Shakes and Amy Winehouse, the infectious song showcases the sultry, gritty power of lead singer Meghan Parnell’s vocals. The song features the drums with a stylish and percussive steady high hat pulse influenced by James Gadson, punchy horn shots, and a gospel choir.
“When I first came up with the idea for ‘Hold Me Down’, I really wanted to mesh Bywater Call’s aesthetic with more of a 60s soul sound,” commented guitarist Dave Barnes. “Then Meg came up with that first note, and the song took on a life of its own. It’s one of those rare tunes for us that came together surprisingly easily.”
Hold Me Down’ was recorded at Palace Studios in Toronto, captured and mixed by Patric McGroarty, and mastered by Kristian Montano of Montano Mastering. The song is available on all streaming platforms here and an accompanying music video was shot at High Park Brewery in Toronto, Canada by Zack Murray of Lightning House Media, that you can check out here at RAMzine.
Bywater Call return to the UK this November with Dan Patlansky as special guest – For more details visit RAMzine here.
