Brett Emmons has a new name, a new record, and zero interest in playing by anyone else’s rules. Under the moniker John Shambles, the JUNO Award-winning frontman of The Glorious Sons steps out with his debut solo album, ‘Cabin Fever,’ out April 30. It’s a record steeped in nostalgia, washed guitars, and a well-worn feel that sounds like it was earned, not engineered.
‘Cabin Fever’ pulls from lo-fi alternative, folk, and garage rock, weaving them into something that feels simultaneously fresh and deeply lived-in. Emmons’ raw, introspective storytelling is front and center throughout, and it lands hard. The album is relatable, disarming, and genuinely captivating from start to finish.
The singles paint a vivid picture of what’s ahead. “Fool In The Woods” is a melodic dreamscape. “Landmines” drifts into the unsettling feeling of being perceived. “Try Not To Freak Out” is sharp and self-aware. “New Friends” turns a character study into something quietly devastating. Together, they make a compelling case for Shambles as a fully formed solo identity.
Emmons is candid about where he’s at. “I asked for one thing out of life from an early age and it happened,” he says. “Almost 15 years ago now, I started this for real. I’m not a pop star. I’m not a fashion icon. I don’t believe in almost anything except for one thing: create. That’s it.”
He continues: “It got confusing. Really confusing. But I decided after that, that this, right here, is all I wanted. Fuck money. Fuck stars. Fuck sub-genres. Fuck politicians. Fuck fashion. Movies. News. Movements. It’s all beyond my control. In fact, it gets more beyond my control with every passing year. So, I’m gonna do what I do. That’s it. I’m gonna do it relentlessly, and with a little help I’m gonna do it right from my front porch. The rest is for the birds.”
Supporting the record, Shambles is heading out on the “Spring Fever Tour,” hitting Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan through May. This is the full live rollout of ‘Cabin Fever,’ and it’s worth showing up for.
‘Cabin Fever’ Track Listing:
- Concrete Cowboys
- Landmines
- Try Not Too Freak Out
- Gameshow
- Fool In The Woods
- New Friends
- Tin Man Time Machine
- Back On The Gas
- Making Sense (B-Side)
- Hail (B-Side)
2026 “Spring Fever Tour” Dates:
May 7 – Hamilton, ON – Bridgeworks
May 8 – Waterloo, ON – Maxwell’s
May 9 – London, ON – London Music Hall
May 11 – Thunder Bay, ON – Magnus Theatre
May 12 – Winnipeg, MB – The Park Theatre
May 14 – Calgary, AB – Commonwealth Bar
May 15 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall
May 16 – Saskatoon, SK – Coors Event Centre