Mixing the old with the new, The Prairie States was born out of a desire to put a fresh touch on a classic design. As eleven time Country Music Alberta Award recipients including the 2018 Rising Star, 2020 Songwriters of the Year, and 2023 Group/Duo Of The Year as well as recent nomination for 2022 CCMA Songwriters of The Year, it’s proof that this Edmonton based band is moving in the right direction. 

 

Mat Cardinal, Jeff Dick, Mike Nash, Jay Der  and Doc de Groot formed The Prairie States in 2017 and immediately started writing songs for their debut full length album, Lost In The Right Direction. Independently released in June 2018, it was nominated for the CMAB Album Of The Year and included three radio singles, which all broke the top 100 Mediabase Canadian Country Chart. Since then, the band has released seven more radio singles all of which also cracked the top 100. 

 

Waiting On You, released in 2022, hit #28 at Canadian Country radio landing them their first Top 30 single. Loaded with infectious melodies and rhythm, the release followed up The Prairie States break-out single Rebel Phase, which has over a million global streams and over 2000 spins on Canadian country radio. 

 

Their latest release, Backroad (That 17 Summer), is like your favorite cassette blasting from the dashboard of an old pickup truck. Driving fast and free with the snarl and twang of classic 90’s country, this next single is about the feeling of reminiscing and reliving the butterfly moments of a past summer love.

 

To go along with the release of their single, Low Life, the band teamed up with Edmonton based Sea Change Brewing Co to create a custom branded beer called Low Life Lager. The brewery made 17000 tall boys of this perfect summer sipper which included a Spotify QR code so the person enjoying the beverage could also “Scan The Can” to instantly hear Low Life. 

 

The band had another two big developments in 2022 that have helped them climb to the next level. They signed a recording contract with Willing Records/Universal Music and an agency deal with Sakamoto Agency. This has helped them get out on the road and WOW crowds with their undeniable live show. In their short time as a band, they’ve shared stages with Aaron Goodvin, The Washboard Union, Jess Moskaluke, as well as Brothers Osborne while kicking off the Big Valley Jamboree. 

 

Ready with a stack of brand new recordings underway and shows booking up, the future looks bold for The Prairies States.