HemlockHotel Revives ‘America,” A Folk Rock Anthem That Speaks to Right Now
With the heart of classic Americana and the soul of a protest song, “America”, the latest single from Ottawa-based HemlockHotel following “Running Out Of Road,” is an unflinching look at history, inheritance, and the longing for something better. Originally released during the 2020 U.S. presidential election, “America” has only grown more relevant in today’s turbulent times. Re-released in 2025, this evocative track is both a lament and a rallying cry—a song for those who refuse to let hope slip through their fingers.
Inspired by the storytelling traditions of Bruce Springsteen, The Band, and Steve Earle, “America” blends roots-rock grit with folk’s lyrical depth. Led by singer-songwriter Rod Leggett, HemlockHotel crafts a sound that feels both timeless and urgent, carried by the talents of Danny Lee Duke (drums), Mark Strachan (guitar), Gary Archambault (bass), and TJ Jones.
The song’s lyrics reflect on power, corruption, and the cycles that shape generations:
There was his father, drinking again Waltzing to a tune, an ancient hymn In the blink of an eye, he saw his future What can be done, of fathers and sons?
“Some critics wondered why a Canadian band wrote a song about the U.S.,” says Leggett. “The truth is, American politics shape so much of the world, and as neighbors, we feel the ripple effects. The song isn’t just about one country—it’s about waking up to the world’s power plays and deciding whether to accept them or push back.”
Produced by HemlockHotel and David Fournier, “America” captures the tension between frustration and hope, between past and future. It’s a song about coming of age, reckoning with the ideals we’re handed, and daring to demand something better. The accompanying music video, filmed in a historic family barn, adds a visual layer to this generational conversation, featuring scenes of resilience, reflection, and the search for meaning.
HemlockHotel has become known for blending storytelling and social commentary with a sound that nods to the folk-rock greats while forging their own path. The band is currently working on their third studio album with Juno-winning producer Steve Foley, continuing their evolution as one of Canada’s most compelling Americana acts.
America” was originally released during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. What made you decide to revisit and re-release it in 2025?
We follow politics closely, as you can tell. In 2020, we needed some sanity back in the White House after Trump’s presidency. But really, we’re focused on more than that. Since the end of the Cold War, America became increasingly decadent and slowly abandoned its social democratic tradition, a tradition we can associate with FDR. Now in 2025, it gets personal. Trump continues to talk about the take-over of Canada. Where we live! He’s trying to normalize a dangerous topic, and Americans and Canadians alike need to pay attention. Trump is playing with fire but in this situation, everyone can get burned. This is a protest song and a call for people to take politics seriously. We don’t mean that one should devote their whole lives to politics. It’s important to develop a spiritual path. But we should definitely look at politics as more than entertainment. President Trump is taking his fiction to new levels of absurdity. He’s playing a whacky part in the game of life which has concrete consequences. We’re alive to this in Canada. I hope our neighbours to the south discover this soon. Of course, a lot have, and they should plan for a better future with a “president who can keep his word.”
The song captures both frustration and hope. How do you balance those emotions in your songwriting, especially when tackling political and social themes?
Art plays many functions, and I think hope should be one of them. I’m reading Lord of the Rings now. That is certainly part of Tolkein’s process and project. But art should also be honest and frustration is an emotion–closely linked to righteous anger–that is prevalent today. Some people have trouble expressing it in their everyday lives, so art can say it for them; and articulate the anger they feel. I don’t think I was particularly angry when I wrote the song. But I did remember being disillusioned as a young man. As I see it, there’s a cycle. First, we’re all sold a dream. Then we grow older and discover we were sold a dream….and suffer a little buyer’s remorse. Then we mature and develop hope. It’s a cycle. Unfortunately, some stay stuck in the middle part and don’t unblock into hope.
Your music is often compared to Bruce Springsteen, The Band, and Steve Earle. How have those influences shaped your sound, and where do you see HemlockHotel carving its own identity?
Steve Earle, I love that guy. I grew up singing folk songs like Bring Back My Bonnie; This Land is Your Land; Clementine; Beautiful Brown Eyes, etc. All the artists you mention probably did too. So it’s in our cultural DNA. Hemlock is carrying that tradition into the future and we will add to the tradition by responding to the times. Today, maybe more than ever, we need folk music. We need to get grounded again and get the heck away from AI and the super proliferation of everything inorganic. We’ll carve our identity by writing songs people can connect to in the 21st century.
What’s next for HemlockHotel? With “America” making waves again, do you have plans for a tour, more new music, or further social commentary in your songwriting?
Hemlock Hotel is just about to release a song called “I Want A Job”. It’s recorded and we’re just about to shoot the video. The song is based on David Graeber’s Bullshit Jobs. I think the title speaks for itself! This summer we will be touring the Montreal-Toronto corridor. Check out our website. In light of the attack on Canada and our way of life, we’re also preparing a tribute to the Tragically Hip’s “Fully Completely” album. It is so Canadian and people need to hear Gord’s stories. The show will be like putting the cassette in the tape deck and listening to it from head to toe; from Courage to Eldorado without pause!
HemlockHotel shares new single, “America” (Interview)
HemlockHotel Revives ‘America,” A Folk Rock Anthem That Speaks to Right Now
With the heart of classic Americana and the soul of a protest song, “America”, the latest single from Ottawa-based HemlockHotel following “Running Out Of Road,” is an unflinching look at history, inheritance, and the longing for something better. Originally released during the 2020 U.S. presidential election, “America” has only grown more relevant in today’s turbulent times. Re-released in 2025, this evocative track is both a lament and a rallying cry—a song for those who refuse to let hope slip through their fingers.
Inspired by the storytelling traditions of Bruce Springsteen, The Band, and Steve Earle, “America” blends roots-rock grit with folk’s lyrical depth. Led by singer-songwriter Rod Leggett, HemlockHotel crafts a sound that feels both timeless and urgent, carried by the talents of Danny Lee Duke (drums), Mark Strachan (guitar), Gary Archambault (bass), and TJ Jones.
The song’s lyrics reflect on power, corruption, and the cycles that shape generations:
There was his father, drinking again
Waltzing to a tune, an ancient hymn
In the blink of an eye, he saw his future
What can be done, of fathers and sons?
Produced by HemlockHotel and David Fournier, “America” captures the tension between frustration and hope, between past and future. It’s a song about coming of age, reckoning with the ideals we’re handed, and daring to demand something better. The accompanying music video, filmed in a historic family barn, adds a visual layer to this generational conversation, featuring scenes of resilience, reflection, and the search for meaning.
HemlockHotel has become known for blending storytelling and social commentary with a sound that nods to the folk-rock greats while forging their own path. The band is currently working on their third studio album with Juno-winning producer Steve Foley, continuing their evolution as one of Canada’s most compelling Americana acts.
America” was originally released during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. What made you decide to revisit and re-release it in 2025?
We follow politics closely, as you can tell. In 2020, we needed some sanity back in the White House after Trump’s presidency. But really, we’re focused on more than that. Since the end of the Cold War, America became increasingly decadent and slowly abandoned its social democratic tradition, a tradition we can associate with FDR. Now in 2025, it gets personal. Trump continues to talk about the take-over of Canada. Where we live! He’s trying to normalize a dangerous topic, and Americans and Canadians alike need to pay attention. Trump is playing with fire but in this situation, everyone can get burned. This is a protest song and a call for people to take politics seriously. We don’t mean that one should devote their whole lives to politics. It’s important to develop a spiritual path. But we should definitely look at politics as more than entertainment. President Trump is taking his fiction to new levels of absurdity. He’s playing a whacky part in the game of life which has concrete consequences. We’re alive to this in Canada. I hope our neighbours to the south discover this soon. Of course, a lot have, and they should plan for a better future with a “president who can keep his word.”
The song captures both frustration and hope. How do you balance those emotions in your songwriting, especially when tackling political and social themes?
Art plays many functions, and I think hope should be one of them. I’m reading Lord of the Rings now. That is certainly part of Tolkein’s process and project. But art should also be honest and frustration is an emotion–closely linked to righteous anger–that is prevalent today. Some people have trouble expressing it in their everyday lives, so art can say it for them; and articulate the anger they feel. I don’t think I was particularly angry when I wrote the song. But I did remember being disillusioned as a young man. As I see it, there’s a cycle. First, we’re all sold a dream. Then we grow older and discover we were sold a dream….and suffer a little buyer’s remorse. Then we mature and develop hope. It’s a cycle. Unfortunately, some stay stuck in the middle part and don’t unblock into hope.
Your music is often compared to Bruce Springsteen, The Band, and Steve Earle. How have those influences shaped your sound, and where do you see HemlockHotel carving its own identity?
Steve Earle, I love that guy. I grew up singing folk songs like Bring Back My Bonnie; This Land is Your Land; Clementine; Beautiful Brown Eyes, etc. All the artists you mention probably did too. So it’s in our cultural DNA. Hemlock is carrying that tradition into the future and we will add to the tradition by responding to the times. Today, maybe more than ever, we need folk music. We need to get grounded again and get the heck away from AI and the super proliferation of everything inorganic. We’ll carve our identity by writing songs people can connect to in the 21st century.
What’s next for HemlockHotel? With “America” making waves again, do you have plans for a tour, more new music, or further social commentary in your songwriting?
Hemlock Hotel is just about to release a song called “I Want A Job”. It’s recorded and we’re just about to shoot the video. The song is based on David Graeber’s Bullshit Jobs. I think the title speaks for itself! This summer we will be touring the Montreal-Toronto corridor. Check out our website. In light of the attack on Canada and our way of life, we’re also preparing a tribute to the Tragically Hip’s “Fully Completely” album. It is so Canadian and people need to hear Gord’s stories. The show will be like putting the cassette in the tape deck and listening to it from head to toe; from Courage to Eldorado without pause!
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