Rheostatics celebrate 45 years with ‘The Great Lakes Suite’, out now, an ambitious 18 track work of improvised music and spoken word inspired by the scale, mystery, and shared history of the Great Lakes. Created by longtime members alongside Kevin Hearn, Hugh Marsh, and Alex Lifeson, the album unfolds as a living landscape, shaped in spontaneous Toronto sessions and enriched by an extraordinary group of collaborators from across music, poetry, and storytelling. It feels expansive, curious, and deeply rooted in place, carrying the exploratory spirit that has always defined the band.
The newly shared single “Inland Sea” captures that sense of wonder with a shimmering, reflective tone, paired with an animated video by Sarah Legault that blends historic maritime art with new visual works. The project echoes the legacy of Music Inspired by the Group of Seven while opening a fresh chapter built on connection, imagination, and shared creation. ‘The Great Lakes Suite’ stands as a joyful, adventurous statement, honoring the past while continuing to move forward with openness and creative trust.