Local musician Silas Presley is carving out a unique space in today’s music scene with a sound that draws deep inspiration from the psychedelic rock era of the ’60s and ’70s. As the frontman of the Silas Presley Band, he blends nostalgic influences with modern flair—offering a fresh take on a genre that rarely takes centre stage anymore. Recently, Presley joined us to talk about the band’s latest release, “The Seasons,” the joy of creating music with his father, and the creative process that fuels their sound.
Classic vibes with a modern feel
When asked how he would categorize the band's music, Presley didn’t hesitate: “We’re kind of 60s and 70s influenced, like psychedelic rock.” He credits both his and his bandmates’ upbringing for shaping that sound. “We definitely got that influence from a lot of our parents growing up listening to those old bands,” Presley say. “We’re really just making the music that we want to hear.”
Presley grew up listening to classic rock giants like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd, but his tastes are anything but narrow. “I had a very wide range... also grunge like Nirvana, I listened to rap, I listened to hip hop, classical, jazz, blues—all big influences.”
The artist doesn’t believe in boxing music into rigid genres. “There are these different sounds you can fit into a genre, but really, a good song that’s got all the right elements—that’s above anything else,” Presley says.
The art of songwriting
Presley shared that most of his songwriting happens in collaboration with keyboardist Simon Delmont. “It usually starts with a musical idea on either of our ends. Then we come together, get a rough structure, and I usually save the lyrics for the end.”
Sometimes, however, the process is reversed. “On occasion I’ve started a song with just the lyrics,” he says, noting that it’s more difficult without a melody in mind.
Meet the band
The Silas Presley Band is a tight-knit group of musicians with roots in the local area. Presley handles lead vocals and guitar, with Delmont on keys—two of them, to be exact. “You can’t say keyboard anymore—he’s got two now,” Presley laughs.
Drummer Tyler Martens rounds out the rhythm section, while Eleanor, who also contributes vocals and art direction, adds a creative touch to the band’s visual identity. Perhaps the most unique element? Presley’s own father "Big Robbie G" is the bassist. “He holds down that groove like nobody else,” says Presley. “It’s pretty sweet to play in a band with my dad.”
New single “The Seasons”
Released on April 4, “The Seasons” is the band’s latest single—a track that Presley says grew out of an early jam session. “It started with this laid-back, groovy Doors kind of feel. Then I started writing lyrics about the seasons—not just nature’s seasons, but the changes in life, different chapters we go through.”
Accompanying the release is a music video filmed in the Pembina Hills. Presley explains that it was a joint effort between himself and Eleanor. “I had the idea to shoot in the hills because it’s so colourful that time of year,” he says. “We drove around, found spots we liked, and just started filming.”
The video was shot in October during the Thanksgiving weekend—brisk, but beautiful. Presley admits it was an experiment, but one that paid off.
Looking ahead
“The Seasons” is just the beginning. Presley confirms that the band is working on their first full-length album. “We’re aiming to have it out sometime in the fall,” he shares, with a few more singles expected before the full release.
With a unique sound rooted in nostalgia, and a heartfelt approach to music-making, the Silas Presley Band is building momentum—one groovy track at a time.