In Conversation: Gus Englehorn

Ex-pro snowboarder turned garage-rock maestro Gus Englehorn is back with his brand new album The Hornbook. His second release with Secret City Records, Englehorn invites us to step into a world where intrigue, emotion, and storytelling collide, offering a thrilling sonic journey unlike any other. From the charm of '50s oldies and the grit of '60s garage to the glam of the '70s and the experimental edge of '80s and '90s indie, this album spins these eras into a futuristic, otherworldly experience. To learn more, we caught up with Gus.


Hi, how are you?

I’m cold! I recently moved to Hawaii, and after spending 6 months on the island feeling very warm and toasty, I now find myself in Montreal preparing to play a set of shows. Today I walked around as the snow fell on my old home city, and it was a wonderful sight.

We are so excited about your new release, The Hornbook... tell us the story behind it...

I was struggling to write it for quite some time, so I decided to go to Hawaii to visit my dad. I was living in a little shack in the jungle with screen windows that sat on the edge of a large pit. I would listen to the wild boars fighting each other for their inscrutable purposes while the bamboo clacked together and the warm wind rustled the elephant ear leaves. It all seemed to gently coax the songs out of me.

And what is your key ambition?

To explore the outer reaches of my imagination in hopes of creating a song that makes me glad and makes others happy too. And then doing it again. And again.

We want to get to know a little more about your musical taste. Tell us a song (and a reason) that makes you:

Smile: Mr. Blue Sky by ELO. How can you not be happy listening to this song that is so happy that it’s almost demented? One of my favourite musical zones.

Cry: Amazing Grace by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards—Gets me every time! Absolutely beautiful in every way.

Laugh: Hey by The Pixies. That’uh" when he comes back in after the guitar solo and really every other lyric in this song delights me to the core.

Feel nostalgic: Golden Brown by The Stranglers. The tune is so ethereal. You feel as though you’re almost bathing in it more than listening to it. It feels like an epiphany every time I hear it. Also features one of my favourite guitar solos. Just makes me sink back into my chair and think of the good ol’ days.

Dance in the kitchen: Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol. A good lyric can get you moving just as much as a good groove, if you ask me. And I’ve always been kind of a loner, so for me this one gets real literal, real fast.

Sing in the shower: My Way by Frank Sinatra. I’ve always admired baritones since my voice is high and squeaky, and the grass is always greener, as they say. I try to prove to myself that I know how to belt by singing that last ’My Way" really loud.

Message a friend immediately: Tiger Trap by Beat Happening—this is one of my favourite songs and makes me think about one of my best friends from Québec that showed it to me, and I always end up writing him a little message every time I hear it.



What was the best gig you have ever been to?

White Zombie when I was 8 years old. Made me the man I am today.

What is the best show you have ever done?

This acoustic show is in a castle in the French countryside. I sat on the hearth as the fire crackled behind me; I felt like a minstrel.

What stage have you not performed on that you dream of?

Well, every folkie dreams of playing the Royal Albert Hall after they watch Don’t Look Back, and I’m no exception.

Lastly, you can achieve one thing by the end of the year; what is it?

Finish another record!