Local music duo An Unexpected End, made up of John Wiebe and Dylan Wiebe, is making serious waves again after a well-earned break. And they’re inviting fans of music, to a unique live music experience just south of Plum Coulee: Evenings of songs and stories in the Wiebe family's barn.
“The idea is [to] get people in the barn, get to know them and just have conversations, share some songs back and forth... I want to keep it free and just have a place where people can come.” - John Wiebe, on hosting this new music series at his Family's barn.
A new chapter with “Prodigalism”
After years of local performances and a tour with The Color in 2023, John and Dylan took a step back to live life, literally. With growing families and busy schedules, the music took a temporary back seat. But as John Wiebe explains, that time away helped them come back stronger.
“You have to live life to write about it, so just taking time to do that was rejuvenating,” - John Wiebe of An Unexpected End.
That lived experience has shaped their latest project, a concept album titled Prodigalism. “It’s like a "journey" album,” said Wiebe. “A character exploring... just life, from soup to nuts.”
He added that the new sound is “a little bit darker,” more artistic and dialed-in. With a back catalog of 20 songs, they’re working toward a full release in the coming year. (And embracing the flexibility of being independent artists).
The Barn
If you’re wondering where to see An Unexpected End next, mark your calendar for Friday, Aug 8. They're hosting a barn concert at 9084 Highway 306, just south of Plum Coulee. Look for the red roof barn on the west side of the road.
“The idea is [to] get people in the barn, get to know them and just have conversations, share some songs back and forth... I want to keep it free and just have a place where people can come.” - John Wiebe, on hosting this new music series at his Family's barn.
He says it’s about building music community in the region—even if it starts small.
The first Barn stories and songs session took place Thursday, July 31st, featuring beloved local artist Bill Dowling, and continues Friday August 8th, with Joyce Waldner.
New single and Nashville connections
Their upcoming single Altogether in Denver drops August 28, mixed by Doug Weier, who has worked with The Color and Jordan St. Cyr. The project has been shaped by meaningful musical connections.
“In town, it’s kind of—who you know is everything. It’s talent second, right? Everybody’s talented,” Wiebe said.
Through mutual friends like Jordan Janzen and Larry Abrams, the band even had the chance to sit down with a major CCM radio tracker in Nashville. While they’re not looking to fully join the CCM scene, the guidance was valuable.
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- Daggerss makes Made in Manitoba debut
Find them online
An Unexpected End keeps fans updated through Instagram and Facebook, with plans to roll out a mailing list soon. Their live performance on Eagle 93.5 FM included a sneak peek of their single Altogether in Denver, promising a fresh sound with emotional depth and creative maturity.
For fans of authentic storytelling and community-driven music, this isn’t just a comeback, it’s the start of something bigger.