Matt Warry-Smith, front man for Union Duke, admits he isn’t sure if the band has ever played in Haliburton County before.
“I don’t know. I feel like we have. I think I would be surprised if we hadn’t, but then again, you know, life is long. I’ve played a lot of shows. It’s hard to remember everywhere I’ve been. Please forgive me,” he says with a chuckle.
However, the singer-songwriter and instrumentalist has visited Haliburton personally in the past, saying he’s “had wonderful times, it’s a beautiful little town full of lovely people, and I can’t wait to come and play.”
The Haliburton County Folk Society is bringing Union Duke to the Haliburton Legion Jan. 31.
The band’s fourth full-length studio album was released Jan. 17. Warry-Smith said “it is exciting. It’s been a long time coming. We started working on this record a few years ago.”
Warry-Smith said Union Duke had changed over the years, with some members moving away and having kids.
UD IV is their first major album release in a decade. It marks a transition with the departure of original bass player, Will Staunton, halfway through the recording. The album was completed by the four remaining members, Warry-Smith, Ethan Smith, Jim McDonald, and Rob McLaren, with the addition of Ian McKeown on bass. Canadian legend Aaron Goldstein played pedal steel, and Joel Visentin is featured on organ and accordion. The album is also the first to feature leads from four different members of the band. Warry-Smith said he describes them as “a painfully democratic band. It all comes through the general assembly.
“I think 2025 was a bit of a transitionary period for us as we figure out what we’re doing moving forward. But now that this new record is out, we have a lot of shows coming up. We’re doing some touring; we’re going to Europe in the fall. So, I’m really excited to see what’s going to happen with the record over the next year,” WarrySmith said.
He added they are getting good feedback on the album so far, but he is looking forward to touring it. “Really feeling it being out in the world and connecting with people over it.”
As a young band, he joked they wrote songs about girls, drinking and cars. “And now that we’re old, crusty, men in our mid30s, we’re writing quite a bit more about what it means to be an artist, a friend, a father. We’re just people trying to figure out how to be happy. Is that so different than anyone else?”
He goes on to say, “don’t get me wrong; there are songs about drinking, girls and cars on this record also. We’re still the same old Duke; we’re just a little bit wiser. We are going to liven things up a bit. We might be a little bit longer in the tooth, but we still know how to party, don’t worry about that.”
In a world of computers and streaming, Warry-Smith said, “I like a more human connection. Come to the show, be a human being, shake a hand, share a consensual kiss. I am really looking forward to being on the road.”
Concert coordinator, Walt Tose said, the folk society has a reputation for bringing great music to our community. “Even if you haven’t heard of the band, you won’t be disappointed. Union Duke offers a blend of country, rock, bluegrass and folk that will get you toe-tapping, hand clapping and on your feet.”
Doors open at 7 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. show.
The concert will kickstart a month-long February Folk Festival being planned by the Folk Society in partnership with the County of Haliburton and other presenters.
Tickets for the concert and additional information are available at the Haliburton County Folk Society website – www. haliburtonfolk.com
