Kent McAlister

“The Way It Rolls” is the follow up to 2005’s “Memory Replacer” and is the second release from Kent McAlister. As the title implies, ‘The Way It Rolls’ is a record with a sense of spontaneity and flow. Inspired by a broad spectrum of country/rock music from the ‘60s and early ‘70s, it moves through a varied yet cohesive collection of down-home Country laments, Spanish balladry, dark humour, and tales of the human condition.

Originally hailing from Alberta and presently living on BC’s coast, McAlister merges the gritty tradition of his prairie roots with the vibrancy and energy of his ocean-side surroundings. McAlister’s baritone voice and guitar picking pay homage to those pioneers of Country and Western whoinfluenced him while maintaining their own timeless quality. Add to that his proficiency in everything from jazz to post-modern rock, and the result is a sophisticated, engaging, and instantly identifiable style.

Kent McAlister & the Iron Choir tour relentlessly, and have quickly established themselves as a favourite across the Western Canadian roots music circuit. Featuring a who’s who of established Vancouver players, the band can blow the doors off a club one night and then captivate a soft-seated theatre audience the next. In just under three years they have played 150+ shows, toured with Corb Lund and The Hurtin’ Albertans, and shared the stage with the likes of The Tennessee Three (Johnny Cash’s band) and Magnolia Electric Co. The miles traveled and days spent on the road have bled into their sophomore album, ‘The Way It Rolls,’ lending it a maturity and flair born of experience.