Sam Roberts

TORONTO – Even as Sam Roberts’ music becomes increasingly integrated with international influences — and his latest, “Lo-Fantasy,” is particularly imbued with fleet-footed African rhythms — the songs almost always originate in the same place: the basement of his Montreal home. Sounds serene, right? It might be if the 39-year-old didn’t have three children — aged seven, four and two — with understandably low regard for the focus needed by songwriters. So Roberts has adjusted. And somehow, he says the hectic nature of his personal life has actually sharpened his focus in the precious time he manages to set aside. The musical inspiration for “Lo-Fantasy” — which hit stores this week — could be traced in part back to the Sam Roberts Band’s last album, 2011’s “Collider.” On that album, his band trimmed the shaggiest edges of its throwback rock and roll while placing a greater-than-ever influence on foot-shuffling rhythm. So the Stones have always been an obvious influence, but now the Stone Roses are closer to the fore as well. In fact, several of the bands that inspired Roberts carried direct connections to the album’s producer, Killing Joke founding bassist Martin Glover — a.k.a. Youth, who has helmed records by the Verve, Crowded House and James. 1. Hells Angels, other outlaw motorcycle clubs expected for 'Canada-wide' gathering in Windsor: police 2. Carney says Canada will keep most Gordie Howe bridge toll revenue despite Trump's new deal 5. Local Hare Krishna followers to hold Windsor's first Chariot Fest Aug. 1 And the band’s new collaborator certainly didn’t tread lightly. Roberts recalls picking Youth up from the Montreal airport in the dead of winter before whisking him back to his house to play him the demos that would inform “Lo-Fantasy.” As Roberts tells it, each song would elicit a similar reaction: “It’s great, but …” where every ellipsis became a “litany of things” that weren’t quite right. “It’s one thing to say that’s what you’re looking for, but you don’t actually want it,” Roberts said with a laugh. “It’s like medicine. You know you need it and you know it’s going to make you better, but the process itself is disconcerting to say the least — especially at the beginning.” Given that Sam Roberts Band is an uncommonly tight unit, that could have caused conflict — and Roberts acknowledges he didn’t always agree with the veteran producer. “But you find yourself in these grinding, drawn-out confrontations with him. I’ve got my vision for the song and he has his and you’re sort of butting heads, but it’s always in this celebratory way. … To have someone challenge you that much and still come out friends at the end is a miracle.” “We’re All In This Together,” with its rooster-strut riffage, was an obvious choice for first single, but Roberts wasn’t hurting for viable candidates — for instance, the synth-lit “Human Heat” or helium-buoyant opener “Shapeshifters.” “Youth (says) ‘that’s the hook and it needs to happen again.’ That’s what hooks are for: catching fish. I think that’s why we couldn’t have made this record without him forcing us to work against our better judgment in a lot of ways. “That’s what a producer does. He rips you away from your preciousness.” Windsor woman charged with impaired driving after 10-year-old critically injured in Hwy. 401 crashDiscover Trade with IBKR Desktop today!Check out IBKR Desktop - Our next-gen trading platform combines streamlined design and powerful tools to help you succeed. Your capital is at risk. adInteractive Brokers Trade Smarter with IBKRIBKR retail clients averaged 19.20% in 2025, beating the S&P 500’s 17.9%.The best-informed investors choose Interactive Brokers. Your capital is at risk.Interactive Brokers Canada gives share of Gordie Howe Bridge profits to U.S .to get Trump go-aheadCanadian-built bridge set to open July 27 after tense standoffWindsor Star Fly out to one city, return from anotherLand in Rome, fly home from Milan — WRVR finds flexible-d