CONTENTS:
ABOUT | NEWS | LINKS | VIDEO | PRESS | BRAND
ABOUT
Calgary’s indie-folk outfit The Sour Patch Men blends sharp modern songwriting with the warmth of traditional bluegrass arrangements, creating a sound that feels both timeless and daring. Beloved for their disarming stage presence, quick wit, and high-voltage energy, the band has carved out a reputation as fearless innovators in Calgary’s folk and bluegrass scene.
The Second Best Band in Bowness is a celebration of community and cross-generational influence. The title is a reference to the award winning Bowness band The Bownesians, who came out of retirement to write and record a song-within-a-song for the title track. The album ranges musically from children’s songs to raucous celebrations of profanity, from GZA-like verbosity to introspective instrumentals. The lyrical themes showcase their astonishing emotional depth, ranging from downright silly and absurd subjects like superheroes, grandmothers, and crabs; to sombre meditations on mortality, loneliness, and the real human consequences of the horrors of fascism. The record was produced and mixed by Calgarian independent engineer and artist Taylor Cochrane at 36? Studios in Calgary, AB / Mohkínstsis, and was released September 24, 2025. It charted across the country, reaching #18 on the National Earshot charts, and it stayed on their hometown campus station CJSW charts for four months straight.
After several successful tours and festival performances in 2025, including Waynestock, East Coulee SpringFest, and Lucentfest, as well as a week long residency at the legendary Palomino Smokehouse for the Calgary Stampede, The Sour Patch Men are currently back in the studio working on their sophomore album, due to be released in late 2026.
Photo by Matt Wallace
NEWS
The Second Best Band In Bowness album is now out.
The Sour Patch Men are currently working on their sophomore album, tentatively titled 4/4 Waltzes.
Artwork by Mutant Man
LINKS
We prioritize accessibility and community, and for that we value the streaming companies. However, it’s no secret that they are evil and exploitative, and we don’t like that. So if possible please listen to our music on bandcamp.
VIDEO
‘Gopher’ - Written and performed by The Sour Patch Men
Video - Produced and Directed by Morgan Casat
Audio - Mixed and Engineered by Avery Mitchell
PRESS
READ: THE SOUR PATCH MEN: THE SECOND BEST BAND IN BOWNESS - THE BOWEST’NER
Their songs swing from childlike delight to gut punch despair, from profanity-laced barnstormers to tender ballads. At their core, you’ll hear bluegrass arrangements—but smashed together with punkish energy, kitchen-sink imagination, and a “you-can’t-tell-us-what-to-do” attitude…
My personal favourites are “Walking Alone” and “Ragdoll”. They’re completely different in vibe but equally stunning vocally. And I can’t not shout out “The Whacker”, which literally kicks off with a cat meowing. I mean—come on. That’s joy.
This is the sound of Bowness. Fiercely loyal, a little rebellious, down-to-earth, and inclusive to the core. No arguments.
-Zoë Decker
LISTEN: CALGARY EYEOPENER LOCAL MUSIC PROFILE - CBC RADIO ONE
READ: SOUR PATCH MEN ORIGINALLY FROM INNISFAIL MAKE BIG CHART MOVE - THE ALBERTAN
The group has its own unique sound and energetic live stage presence that offers an exhilarating, creative and distinct style that includes core bluegrass arrangements with a hint of folk and Soggy Bottom Boys hilarity.
The songwriting on The Second Best Band in Bowness is fun, witty, and even a bit outrageous, with a nod for what they insist is the “magical Kingdom of Bowness,” a special place that symbolizes the glory of small-town living.
-Johnnie Bachusky
READ: NEW RELEASE FROM THE SOUR PATCH MEN - BLUEGRASS CANADA MAGAZINE
This Calgary based indie/folk/bluegrass band writes modern songs with traditional instrumentation and arrangements. They consistently get audiences dancing with their disarming good vibes and infectious high energy.
-Mike Higgins
READ: ARE THE SOUR PATCH MEN…SOUR? NO: CAN BLUEGRASS BE IRREVERENT? MAYBE!- MUSICALIVE! MAGAZINE (paywall)
“We’re subversive: We like to interact with the audience; we like to surprise people! You’re not going to get many surprises at a traditional bluegrass jam, but you’ll get a lot at a Sour Patch Men show … it’s a paradox because it’s traditional music but we’re doing something new with it…
What I wanna convey when I perform, is that everyone can make art, and being part of a community is a good thing. But being on the stage and willingly taking the spotlight, and being the centre of the room, you can create the atmosphere that brings people together. So it’s kind of leading by example … ‘if we can do it, You can do it’ kind of thing!”
-Carey Rutherford, interviewing Alex Klipper
READ: PROFILE - SOUR PATCH MEN- ALTYEG EDMONTON’S MUSIC MAGAZINE
READ: FIVE MINUTES WITH: CALGARY INDIE-FOLK BAND THE SOUR PATCH MEN- CALGARY GUARDIAN
PRAISE FROM CJSW HOSTS:
“I truly love everything they’ve put out so far, I’m a big fan of legitimately every single song.”
-Ty Penny, Mountain Man
“Just genius, if you ask me.”
-Russ Empey, At The Crossroads
“An absolute blast to listen to.”
-Molly Neufield, Free Verse
“Very catchy songs.”
- Vincent Yong, Potpourri For Diversified Souls
“Incredible local band…fun and surprisingly emotional.”
-Syf Sloane, Achulean Age
“All the catchy folky twang you cold ask for with a psychedelic swing adding a unique and exciting tang to the sweet melodies.”
Cam Siferd, program director
“Theyre a great local band.”
Katelyn Liakos, Folk! Around
“I had fun listening to them and I hope you do to.”
-Duda Cardoso, Copacabana Connection