Kat Harlton
Singer/songwriter duo Mike Ure and Aidan Johnson-Bujold emerged from the small towns of Harrow and LaSalle, Ontario, in a very big way. In just a few short years, the band has earned incredible accolades and awards including; 2020 International Songwriter Competition Finalists, 2018 CCMA Spotlight Finalists, 2017 CMAO Rising Star Award Nominees and Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Finalists. In a highly-competitive landscape, this laid-back and easy going group continue to turn industry heads and win over fans, keeping up with other top-performers in their genre.
In 2016, their single ‘Here’s to the Nights,’ reached #58 on Canadian Country Radio Charts: a notable achievement for an independently represented group.
We recently had the opportunity to chat with Buck Twenty and talk about their new single “All I Can Do”, the recording process, and what’s next.
Kat: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your new single “All I Can Do”?
Buck Twenty: “All I Can Do” was actually written by 3 #1 Billboard Songwriters, Justin Wilson (Drunk Me-Mitchell Tenpenny), Chris Stevens (Everything Gonna Be Alright – David Lee Murphy Ft. Kenny Chesney) and John King (We Went – Randy Houser). The song’s energy drew us in right away and then the lyrics had us hooked even before the song was done. It was exactly the type of song we wanted for our fans and the type of music that we would listen to on our own time. So, it felt natural to record it.
Kat: All I Can Do” was recorded at The Armories in Vancouver, BC with Grammy Nominated producers Brian Howes and Jason “JVP” Van Poederooyen. Can you talk about that collaboration, and what it was like working together?
Buck Twenty: That was our first time out in BC, and we fell in love with Vancouver. It was such a beautiful place to get creative and make music. It was also our first time working with Brian and JVP. We would be lying if we said we weren’t a little intimidated at first. They are two of the best in the business and but, they are the nicest guys ever. They made us feel welcomed, comfortable and really pushed to get our creative input in the track. They wanted to make it feel as genuine to us as possible. That’s not an easy thing to do but just attests to their brilliance.
Kat: You’ve shared the stage with Justin Moore, Randy Houser, Dan + Shay, Brett Kissel, Meghan Patrick, LOCASH, Michael Ray, Dallas Smith, Brothers Osborne, Jess Moskaluke, and The Reklaws. What has been a highlight for you? and what have you learned along the way?
Buck Twenty: We have been really lucky to share the stage with so many amazing artists. Each time we step on stage we try and take something else away from it. Getting to watch some of our role models interact with fans on and off the stage is really amazing learning experience. Every show has something special about it, but being able to open for Justin Moore at the Colosseum at Caesars, Windsor had always been a dream for us, because it is our hometown.
Kat: If you could work or collaborate with any artist, who would it be?
Buck Twenty: Keith Urban has always been one of Mike’s favourite artists and Aidan is a really big fan of Hardy, both as a writer and an artist.
Kat: What’s next?
Buck Twenty: We have a new EP finished and we will be getting ready to release lots of new music this year!
For more on Buck Twenty, please visit: https://www.bucktwentyband.com