Canadian rockers the Sheepdogs close out 2024 with their second release of the year, Hell Together. The six-track EP, the companion to August’s Paradise Alone, continues the band’s creative streak under their new independent label, Right On Records. Recorded in Toronto with Juno Award-winning engineer Thomas D’Arcy, Hell Together reflects on the band’s two-decade journey of making music, surviving the grind, and thriving throughout it all.

The EP’s lead single, “Handle My Biz,” is a laid-back, acoustic-driven track anchored by a classic Vox organ hook. It speaks to the universal struggle of working hard yet still grappling with the elusive promise of fulfillment. “It’s about doing everything ‘right’ by modern standards but still feeling like something’s missing,” says frontman Ewan Currie. Meanwhile, the title track, “Hell Together,” is an ode to the band’s longtime bond. “Just thinking about all the things we’ve built over 20 years to get to this point,” Currie shares. “We’ve been through hell together, but look at what we’ve created. This song’s got me in a reflective mood. It’s special. It’s like a country lament with a rock and roll flavor.”

Themes of home and belonging are constants through Hell Together, a reflection of Currie’s transient upbringing. “I’ve lived in 10 places in the last 10-15 years,” he explains. “The idea of home is nebulous to me - an abstract concept I’m always chasing. That longing filters into the music.” Hell Together continues the Sheepdogs’ tradition of revitalizing old-school rock ‘n’ roll while updating it for the here and now. And with this second EP of 2024, the band is reveling in the freedom their independent label provides. “Owning our catalog and running our own label means we can create and release music on our terms,” says Currie. “It’s opened up new opportunities for collaboration and creativity.”

With 20 years of relentless touring and recording in their rear-view mirror, the Sheepdogs remain a force in Canadian rock. Hailing from Saskatoon, the five-piece band have released seven full-length albums, five EPs, and a live album, racked up four Juno Awards, and earned multiple platinum and gold certifications. Known for their dynamic live shows, they’ve taken their road-tested sound from Canadian roadhouses to international festivals and major venues worldwide.