The Manitoba Indigenous power pop rockers deliver an infectious new single and music video featuring Melody McArthur.
Cheap noodles, long nights, and just enough gas to reach the next town. That’s how Low Budget Rock Star earned their name, and it’s the spirit they still bring to every stage. Now, the Indigenous power pop rockers from Opaskwayak Cree Nation and The Pas, Manitoba, are serving up something sweet with their new single, “Cotton Candy.”
Released through Indigenous-owned New Sun Records, the upbeat track arrives alongside a music video featuring Melody McArthur, offering listeners a taste of the band’s brighter, hook-filled sound.
Low Budget Rock Star Deliver a Sugar Rush With “Cotton Candy”
“Cotton Candy” is a joyful, sing-along rock song bursting with catchy melodies, infectious energy, and feel-good optimism. Its playful chorus captures the song’s sugary spirit, showcasing a brighter, more expansive side of Low Budget Rock Star without losing the emotional depth that defines their music.
Led by singer, guitarist, and songwriter Kennie Henderson, who is Cree and grew up on Opaskwayak Cree Nation, the band has been building its reputation since forming in 2017.
After releasing their debut single in 2019, Low Budget Rock Star became known for raw, high-energy live performances and soaring, anthemic songs.
The current lineup features Henderson alongside lead guitarist Marshall Bignell, bassist Harley Whitehead, and drummer Terry Constant.
Music Rooted in Indigenous Identity and Resilience
For Henderson, music has always been more than entertainment. Growing up on Opaskwayak Cree Nation, he turned to songwriting as an outlet for overcoming difficult experiences, including poverty, addiction, and domestic family violence.
“Growing up on the reservation, I used music as an outlet to help overcome the struggles of poverty, alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic family violence.”
That honesty continues to shape Low Budget Rock Star’s mission: inspiring Indigenous youth to reconnect with their language, culture, and communities while showing that hope and ambition can flourish anywhere.
The band’s name began as a joke about life on the road. Henderson and Whitehead spent years playing pub gigs and touring across Canada, often surviving on cheap noodles, limited money, and sheer determination.
Over time, Low Budget Rock Star became more than a name. It became a reminder that meaningful music doesn’t require a massive budget.
Honouring the Legacy of Richie Cudmore
Low Budget Rock Star’s journey has also been shaped by mentorship, friendship, and loss.
Early drummer Richie Cudmore, a veteran musician who had performed with members of The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, joined the band while battling cancer. His musicianship and belief in the group helped shape its sound and identity.
Following Cudmore’s passing in 2022, the band honoured his memory with “More Than Ever,” a heartfelt single exploring grief, resilience, and gratitude.
His influence remains an important part of Low Budget Rock Star’s story.
New Sun Records and a New Album Coming in 2027
In 2023, Low Budget Rock Star signed with New Sun Records, joining a roster associated with Canadian blues and roots artist Crystal Shawanda.
The partnership marked an important step toward reaching a wider national audience while continuing to celebrate the band’s Indigenous roots.
Looking ahead, Low Budget Rock Star are preparing a full-length album for 2027, produced by Dewayne Strobel. The upcoming project promises anthemic rock, Northern storytelling, and the band’s belief in music’s ability to inspire and heal.
From pub stages on Opaskwayak Cree Nation to a growing national following, Low Budget Rock Star continue to prove that big dreams don’t require a big budget.
Sometimes, all it takes is a great song, a whole lot of heart, and a little “Cotton Candy.”
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