Formed in 2022 in Sault Ste. Marie, Handsome Sandwich delivers indie rock with gritty riffs, infectious rhythms, and dynamic vocals from Tea Emlaw. With high-energy live shows and a modern twist on rock’s roots, the band is set for a promising future.
Handsome Sandwich will be playing at this year’s Gussapolooza Music and Arts Festival in Cookstown, ON, on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello! We are Handsome Sandwich, an indie rock quintet from Sault Ste. Marie On. This is our first out of town festival we’ve been welcomed to perform at!
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
Our most recent release was our album “Deconstructed” which came out in May of 2023. It’s available on most streaming platforms.
How would you describe your musical style to someone who has never heard your music before?
Think “Paramore” meets “Foo Fighters” and “Limp Biscuit” and they all decided to raise a baby, and that child grew up to be Handsome Sandwich.
What does performing at a festival like Gussapolooza, known for its focus on emerging talent, mean to you and your band?
It’s a great honour to be considered, let alone selected to perform here. We’ve not been out this way, but we did a bit of research and are thrilled to be able be a part of something focused on helping artists connect and grow!
What makes Gussapolooza different from other festivals?
I honestly don’t know yet! We haven’t been in these waters in any degree, but are certainly excited!
With over 40 indie bands performing, how do you plan to stand out and make a lasting impression on the audience?
We believe the sound should speak volumes – we have a pretty engaging performance with audience and each other. Our most wonderful reoccurring compliment is “wow, we can tell you all are really having fun up there” and that’s the most important thing. If we are having fun, we know you will too 🙂
Are there any specific bands or artists at Gussapolooza that you’re excited to see perform?
We haven’t picked a specific band or artist to check out – we will check out all that we can – we love finding new music, as much as performing it!
For fans who may be seeing you perform for the first time, what do you hope they remember most about your set?
We just hope that the audience enjoys us, we encourage engagement! Come say hi, and have a good time with us! Let’s be friends !!
What’s next for you after Gussapolooza? Are there any upcoming projects or releases we should look out for?
Handsome Sandwich IS currently wrapping up our next batch of songs. We are leaning toward a release of singles. They’re being recorded at Algoma’s Conservatory of Music with producer/engineer Greig Nori. There will be 7 new tracks out, not too far from now. We will be performing some of them, as well as songs off of “Deconstructed” at Gussapolooza 2024.