In the boundless sky of Canada, where invisible paths cross, there exists a special community. These are people whose voices and decisions guide steel wings through the clouds. They are the keepers of the rhythm of the sky, for whom every pause and every word is a matter of safety. NAV CANADA is not just a corporation, but a brotherhood that supports movement in the sky and on the ground. Out of the world of precise words and flawless actions, the band CAR287 was born. Its members are Jay Yarmey – acoustic guitar and vocals, Travis Wog – lead guitar and vocals, Ryan Olenick – drums, Terry Ferguson – bass, Derek Gaboury – keyboards and backing vocals (he left the band, but is important for the album).
CAR287 appeared in a basement – for Winnipeg winters are too harsh for garage rehearsals – and the name was invented on the eve of their first performance at the NAV CAN Jam festival. Drummer John Kyriakopoulous suggested they take the address of the house where it all began. No mysticism, just pure geolocation. So if you ever happen to be in Winnipeg – drop by the address. There you will surely find a rock revelation and definitely have a reason to smile. And I will continue: the year 2025 turned out to be quite successful for the band. The releases “Feel It Coming On” and “Highway Strong,” which came out in February this year, intrigued seasoned listeners. And now comes the long-awaited debut album “Looking Through the Lens“, which will be released on September 20, 2025. Its title was born from the song “Take My Picture,” inspired by a real story. Once, a homeless man asked a photographer to take a picture of him as a keepsake. The photo was preserved, but for the man himself it was no longer needed – his life had ended. This story became a metaphor for the entire album: behind the line “Looking through the Lens …a life’s story revealed” lies the thought that songs are like someone’s destiny, expressed in music and close to the listener.
The recording took place at the legendary Private Ear Studios. The band chose live performance in the studio, without artificial layers or polishing, to preserve natural energy. Thus were born songs filled with drive and openness, strength and nostalgia. Out of the 13 tracks included in the album, I will hold your attention on some of them. The album opens with “Opening Song “- a track that immediately sets the mood for what is to come. The beginning sounds intimate – acoustic guitar and soft vocals, but soon the calm is replaced by drums and synthesizer. By the middle, the track accelerates, grows with guitar solos, and reaches its climax. At its core lies a sense of confinement and a thirst to break out, a transition from fear to freedom, from stagnation to movement.
With special drive the guys perform “Road Rage Leady” – an ironic caricature of the phenomenon of “road rage.” It plays out the situation when a person behind the wheel turns into a source of chaos and aggression, and the car becomes an arena for the outburst of emotions. The contrast of lyrics and music enhances the satire: sharp drumming and accelerating guitar riffs comically underline the uncontrollable behavior of the character. As a result, the song works as a light parody, showing how easily our “normal” face changes in a stressful environment. I want to note that the songs on the album stand out for their sincere lyrics – they are about life, love, some funny things, and about the connection with the city, the province, and the country. And it is “Gateway to the west “that is a song about how, despite stereotypes (cold, mosquitoes, “middle of nowhere”), Winnipeg is a special place with rich culture, a unique atmosphere, and warm people. It is, in a sense, a love confession to the city, where the author feels “better than he was.”
Fans of smooth rock should pay attention to “Highway Strong” – a nostalgic, romantic story about the road, freedom, and youth. The author uses the image of the highway as a symbol of connecting force: the road not only leads forward, but also fills with the idea of endless possibilities. The song is done in the tradition of melodic American rock-folk, where mood plays the main role – soft rhythm, ringing guitar picking, and drawn-out vocal lines create the atmosphere of movement. In my opinion, “Deep Undercover” turned out successful – a story of hidden secrets, inner struggle, and double life. The hero goes “undercover” into his fears and hidden desires. The strong side of the track is its dramaturgy: precise percussion creates a tense rhythm, guitar solos enhance the effect of inner struggle, and vocals with backing vocals sound like a dialogue between control and vulnerability.
I also want to highlight the track “Ideas Of A Good Life“. Its rhythm and guitar groove resemble a locomotive rushing at full speed. The song is about how hard it is to live under the weight of depression and anxiety when society demands “normality,” while the system offers only pills and empty words instead of understanding and support. The album closes with “Passing Of Days” – a bright ballad with soft guitars, smooth keyboards, and confident vocals. It is about the inevitability of time and life with its trials, about how the past and circumstances shape a person, but how he still has the possibility to change.
The debut album “Looking Through the Lens” by CAR287 sounds sincere and heartfelt, combining rock, blues, folk, and pop. The musicians, connected with aviation and NAV CANADA, reflect in their songs themes of attention, interaction, and balance – the very things that are important both in the work of an air traffic controller and on stage. CAR287 show how love for music can go hand in hand with a profession, and their story is only beginning. And one more piece of information: the album presentation will take place on September 20 at the Iconic Times Chang(d) High And Lonesome Club in Winnipeg Manitoba.
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