Alberta musician pens song about driving woes in Ontario

Lethbridge, Alberta indie country singer Ryan Lindsay has written and recorded a song about the gridlock on the 401. He and his finance/publicist Megan Clarke have taken out a billboard ad on the 401 near Ingersoll to promote it. (Contributed Photo)

Lee Griffi, Editor

A country singer from Lethbridge, Alberta, has found a unique way to promote a song about Ontario’s busiest highway.

Country indie artist Ryan Lindsay wrote the song 401 while being stuck in traffic on the highway on his way to visit his fiancé, who used to live in London, Ontario, before moving to Alberta. He has also booked an ad on the electronic billboard at the eastbound Ingersoll OnRoute to promote it and his new album titled Sailboat in the Prairies.

“That’s how I got the inspiration for it. I was thinking about how I could write a song for Ontarians. I feel Canadian stories and Canadian music are so important, more important now than ever,” said Lindsay.

He added it can be difficult to be proud singing about where an artist is from.

“That’s why I wanted to have this collection of Canadian stories on this record. There I was, stuck on the 401 thinking how can I connect with Ontarians and I felt it’s right here; this is it.”

Lindsay said it’s a highway that may not always feel important to people, but people’s reasons for being on it are.

“They’re making a livelihood. It’s tied to the trucking industry, and people are commuting to the GTA, so in many ways it is important, and it deserves a song.”

His fiancé and publicist, Megan Clarke, said any time the couple has shared it with family and friends in London, Lindsay will get them all to sing along.

“Everybody hates the 401,” she laughed. “Everyone gets it right away. I think for me, it’s wonderful for Ryan to be building a connection with this part of Canada and it gives us a reason to get out here more. It’s also very relatable.”

The chorus for the song is something we can all identify with.

“I don’t want to take the 401. Another day, back to London. Everybody hates this race we run, I gotta find another way.”

Lindsay said the album is a collection of songs with themes people across the country can relate to.

“I can bring that work across Canada and share it culturally with people. I’ll do a show in Alberta and get people singing along to 401 because it’s pretty common for people out there to have driven the highway at some point, so it’s something we can all connect with.”

Sailboat in the Prairies is Lindsay’s fourth album and features songs he wrote while on the road, infused with influences from folk and Canadiana music.

“The album was recorded live-off-the-floor in a barn-converted studio in rural Texas. If you pay close attention, you might notice a subtle east coast rhythm or an oddly specific line that offers a lens into a stranger’s life,” he explained.

The indie music scene has exploded as streaming services have continued to grow, making it easier for artists not signed to a record label to get exposure. Lindsay said the industry has cut out the middleman.

“The result is, as an artist, I have to wear a lot of hats, as does the band. In a lot of ways I am on a label and it’s my own. I’ve put together my own little team, and it’s been fun.”

You can listen to 401 and the rest of the album on Lindsay’s website at https://www.ryanlindsaymusic.com/401 or on your favourite music streaming service.