With a slight bend of his knee, Gordie MacKeeman launches into a song. Guided by the sharp cuts of his fiddle, his famous crazy legs shake and twist with a laughing regard for physics. The whole time, his Rhythm Boys deliver a surefooted roots instrumentation to accompany the spectacle. It’s a joyful sight that divides the line between the band and the audience. It is this pomp and spirit that Gordie MacKeeman & His Rhythm Boys set out to capture on their new album, Pickin’ n Clickin’.

Hailing from Prince Edward Island, The Rhythm Boys’ exhilarating live show has drawn international attention. They were given the Galaxie Supernova Award at the 2012 Ottawa Folk Festival for their outstanding performance. Tom Power, host of CBC Radio’s Deep Roots, recently called them his “Best Discovery Band” at the 2012 East Coast Music Awards. The group toured the United Kingdom three times last year, including performing on the main stage at the Glastonbury Festival.

Produced by award winning artist Nathan Wiley and mixed by renowned musician Dale Murray, Pickin’ n Clickin’ features guest appearances from Dale DesRoches (drums), Michael Pendergast (Accordion), Hannah Rose (vocals), Meaghan Blanchard (vocals), Jon Matthews (low ‘D’ whistle), and Nathan Wiley (lap steel, guitar, vocal, percussion).

Over the course of fifteen tracks, the album offers up rockabilly-inspired rhythms and of course, MacKeeman’s perfectly executed fiddle work. There’s upbeat reels and weighted laments. Somehow, the band still makes each new tone and style sound like an expression made in the same voice.

The band adeptly delivers original compositions (“Gonna Get Out,” “Jim’s Lament,” “Hay Boys,” “Scrape the Paint,” “Working Title”) as well as covers such as Lawrence Welk’s “Champagne Polka” and Two Hours Traffics’s “Heroes of the Sidewalk.”

It’s roots music that sets its goals much higher than simple reproductions of the past.

Showcase Artist: Pacific Contact 2014

Home Base: Prince Edward Island

Touring Schedule: Click here