Skip to main content

Maverick Ad

Home

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Cover Stories
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Legacy Awards
  • Past Covers
  • Weekly Archive
HemlockHotel Revives ‘America,” A Folk Rock Anthem That Speaks to Right Now 

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • HemlockHotel Revives ‘America,” A Folk Rock Anthem That Speaks to Right Now 
HemlockHotel
Fri Mar 21, 2025
Cashbox Canada

With the heart of classic Americana and the soul of a protest song, “America”, the latest single from Ottawa-based HemlockHotel following “Running Out Of Road,” is an unflinching look at history, inheritance, and the longing for something better. Originally released during the 2020 U.S. presidential election, “America” has only grown more relevant in today’s turbulent times. Re-released in 2025, this evocative track is both a lament and a rallying cry—a song for those who refuse to let hope slip through their fingers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68VvqeGDCvM&feature=youtu.be

Inspired by the storytelling traditions of Bruce Springsteen, The Band, and Steve Earle, “America” blends roots-rock grit with folk’s lyrical depth. Led by singer-songwriter Rod Leggett, HemlockHotel crafts a sound that feels both timeless and urgent, carried by the talents of Danny Lee Duke (drums), Mark Strachan (guitar), Gary Archambault (bass), and TJ Jones.

The song’s lyrics reflect on power, corruption, and the cycles that shape generations:

There was his father, drinking again
Waltzing to a tune, an ancient hymn
In the blink of an eye, he saw his future
What can be done, of fathers and sons?

Listen on Spotify here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/1zKraQpQ2gcAoKZtieNgIL?si=ohSj-aKiQZqXNrKrfLlaUA&nd=1&dlsi=8c927d6f28994119

“Some critics wondered why a Canadian band wrote a song about the U.S.,” says Leggett. “The truth is, American politics shape so much of the world, and as neighbors, we feel the ripple effects. The song isn’t just about one country—it’s about waking up to the world’s power plays and deciding whether to accept them or push back.”

Produced by HemlockHotel and David Fournier, “America” captures the tension between frustration and hope, between past and future. It’s a song about coming of age, reckoning with the ideals we’re handed, and daring to demand something better. The accompanying music video, filmed in a historic family barn, adds a visual layer to this generational conversation, featuring scenes of resilience, reflection, and the search for meaning.

HemlockHotel has become known for blending storytelling and social commentary with a sound that nods to the folk-rock greats while forging their own path. The band is currently working on their third studio album with Juno-winning producer Steve Foley, continuing their evolution as one of Canada’s most compelling Americana acts.

https://www.hemlockhotel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/hemlockhotel

https://www.instagram.com/hemlockhotelmusic/

Reviews
Album
HemlockHotel
Month: Mar 2023
The Maple Blues Band The Maple Blues Band Releases “Savona Shuffle” Single And Video…
Victa Ottawa-Based Victa Releases Pop Single “Where Did You Go?”
Kari Lyn Toronto Folk-Rocker Kari Lyn Explores the Duality of Comfort and Grief on…
Aaron Wylder Folk Rocker Aaron Wylder Releases “Don’t Let Me Down”
Christine Graves Ottawa Folk Artist Christine Graves Releases “Keep In This Mind’ Single
Dany Horovitz Rocks Out On “Don’t Look To Me” Dany Horovitz Rocks Out On “Don’t Look To Me”
Guelph, ON-Based Blues Artist David Deacon Returns to Music with Philosophical, Humbly Accepting “Arc Of Life” Guelph, ON-Based Blues Artist David Deacon Returns to Music with…
Paige Rutledge’s Releases Personal  Tribute to Family and Loss with “Gone Ain’t Really Gone” Paige Rutledge’s Releases Personal Tribute to Family and Loss…
Tonia Cianciulli Tonia Cianciulli Returns With Emotional “Thousand Cries”
Valentina Cherico Pittsburgh-Based Pop Singer Valentina Cherico Releases "Teach…
Month: Apr 2023
Aruna & the Sirens Rising Folk/Roots Group Aruna & the Sirens Release “Have You Seen My…
AZËE Montreal-Based EDM/Pop Producer AZËE Grants Sweet Dreams In "Close…
Toronto Rock Trio Berner Trail Release “Sleep Til The Afternoon” Toronto Rock Trio Berner Trail Release “Sleep Til The Afternoon”
Emily Mac 25,000 Streams In A Week – Toronto Rocker Emily Mac Raises The Stakes…
Keisha Christian Keisha Christian To Launch New Album 360 Love Live at El Mocambo

Pagination

  • First page « First
  • Previous page ‹ Previous
  • …
  • Page 91
  • Page 92
  • Page 93
  • Page 94
  • Current page 95
  • Page 96
  • Page 97
  • Page 98
  • Page 99
  • …
  • Next page Next ›
  • Last page Last »

CEO/PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF
SANDY GRAHAM

email:sandygrahamemg@gmail.com 

Canadian Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Don Graham
email: dongrahamwriter@gmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada and Global
Lisa Hartt
email: lisahartt87@hotmail.com

Contributing Journalist - Canada 
Michael Williams
email: greydread@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

International Journalists:

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Malin Osth
email: malin@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - Sweden
Jonas Tancred
email: jonas@musicdays.se

Contributing Journalist - USA
Rob Durkee 
email: rockster2746@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Web Developer/Technical Support
Chris Wardman

email: info@chriswardman.com
website: chriswardman.com

Cashbox Cover Design and Graphic Artist
Jain McMillan

email: jainmcmillan@gmail.com

Contributing Photographer 
Tracey Savein - South Paw Productions
southpawproductions@rogers.com

 

 

 

Footer menu

  • Home
  • Features
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Cashbox Archive
  • Issue Archive
  • Past Covers