Winnipeg’s CAR287 has roared onto the Canadian music scene with their powerful debut album Looking Through the Lens, a modern rock record infused with grit, heart, and storytelling depth. The 13-track release—recorded at Private Ear Recording with producer Derek Benjamin delivers a masterful balance of driving bass-and-drum grooves, rich harmonies, and evocative lyrics that capture the beauty and struggle of everyday life.
From the anthemic road-trip rocker “Highway Strong” to the flood-inspired urgency of “Muddy Waters”, and the poignant true-story of homelessness in “Take My Picture”, each song paints a vivid portrait of resilience, nostalgia, and the human condition. CAR287’s sound channels the raw honesty of prairie living, while drawing comparisons to The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, and contemporary indie-rock storytellers. Yet, their voice remains entirely their own distinctly Canadian, but universally relatable.
Formed in 2014 by Jay Yarmey (vocals, acoustic guitar), Travis Wog (vocals, lead guitar), Terry Ferguson (bass), and former drummer John Kyriakopoulos, CAR287 began as an eclectic cover band, playing everything from backyard BBQs to barroom stages. Over years of honing their craft, they evolved from energetic interpreters of others’ hits into compelling creators of original music. By 2021, fueled by pandemic introspection and a rekindled creative fire, the band began crafting songs that reflected their own stories and struggles.
Following a 2022 EP, the band dove into Looking Through the Lens, set for release on September 20, 2025. It’s a raw, cinematic exploration of identity and experience a soundtrack for open highways, late nights, and the shared rhythms of life. With soaring vocals, epic solos, and unfiltered emotion, CAR287’s debut proves that cover bands can not only evolve, they can redefine what Canadian rock sounds like today.
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