Calling All Captains: From Edmonton Dreams to Nationwide Stages
- Phantom Light Media
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
Hailing from Alberta, Canada, Calling All Captains has steadily built a reputation for their emotionally charged sound and relentless drive. Blending elements of pop punk,
post-hardcore, and alternative styles, the band continues to push beyond genre boundaries while connecting deeply with fans through vulnerable songwriting and energetic performances. With their latest EP gaining major traction, the group is entering 2026 with confidence and big plans for
the future.
Meet the Band
Calling
All Captains comprises four musicians from the Edmonton area, each bringing their own personality and creative perspective to the band.
Luc “Gaffwood” Gauthier – Lead Vocals Luc grew up Métis in St. Albert and originally played drums for the band before stepping into the role of lead vocalist. His transitio
n helped shape the band’s sound and stage presence. Outside of music, Luc enjoys anime, fingerboarding, and hardcore music.
Connor Dawkins – Guitar / Vocals Connor serves as one of the band’s guitarists and frequently shares vocal duties, often taking on main lines that highlight his musical versatility beyond the guitar. When he’s not performing, he enjoys podcasts, woodworking, and spending time with his wife and pets.
Brad Bremner – Guitar Brad is the founding member of Calling All Captains and a driving force behind the band’s growth. His business acumen and understanding of social media have played a major role in expanding the band’s reach and helping them develop into a national act. He also runs BlackBoxMedia and enjoys learning new languages, snowboarding, and helping others grow their businesses.
Tim Wilson – Percussion / Piano Tim brings a strong musical background to the band, using his university education to enhance the raw songwriting created by Dawkins and Gauthier. His musical versatility adds depth to the band’s arrangements. Outside the band, he enjoys fitness, studying different musical disciplines, and teaching his own students in drums and piano.
Musical Influences
Each member of Calling All Captains grew up with different musical tastes across the alternative spectrum, but they found common ground in post-hardcore and pop punk.
Rather than sticking strictly to one genre, the band uses pop punk as a foundation to experiment with other influences. Their music often incorporates unexpected elements from styles such as emo trap, hyperpop, hardcore, and metalcore.
For the band, the goal has never been to write within a specific genre. Instead, they focus on capturing a feeling or atmosphere using whatever musical tools best serve the song. That approach has allowed them to create a sound that feels both familiar and uniquely their own.
The Drive to Pursue Music
For the members of Calling All Captains, music was a calling from an early age. Watching live concert DVDs and attending shows helped spark their desire to perform and create.
Before forming this band, many of the members had played in other projects within Edmonton’s music scene. When those bands eventually dissolved, the remaining determination and ambition brought them together to form something new—something they could truly grow into as artists.
The Formation of Calling All Captains
The origins of the band actually stretch across continents.
Before the group officially formed, Brad and the band’s original singer were writing songs together from Canada and Australia, collaborating long-distance. When they eventually reunited back home in Canada, the foundation for Calling All Captains was already in place.
From that point on, the story of the band truly began.
The EP: The Things That I’ve Lost
The band’s latest EP, The Things That I’ve Lost, marked a significant milestone.
Within its first month of release, the EP surpassed one million streams, a first for the band. It also generated the largest number of preorders they had ever received.
Beyond the numbers, the release had a profound impact on the band’s morale. The response from fans gave them renewed confidence and motivation as they head into 2026 with plans to bring the EP to life on stage in cities across the country.
The Story Behind “Dark Clouds”
One standout track from the EP is “Dark Clouds,” a deeply personal and emotionally raw song for the band.
The song explores the heavy feeling of falling behind in life and the darkness that can loom over someone struggling internally. At its core, the lyrics express a plea for understanding—a message that the pain someone carries isn’t always intentional, but often the result of pressures and hardships beyond their control.
The song’s narrative follows the five stages of grief, woven through its lyrics:
Denial: “Holding it in like how I'm used to”
Anger: “What’s it feel like to never do wrong?”
Bargaining: “I get inside my head thinking nobody would miss this?”
Depression: “Were you there for the fallout?”
Acceptance: “I’m afraid to die”
Writing and releasing the song was both vulnerable and cathartic, allowing the band to channel deeply personal emotions into something meaningful.
What’s Next for the Band
Looking ahead, Calling All Captains is focused on continuing to grow their community and expanding their reach across the world.
With touring plans and live performances of their latest EP on the horizon, the band hopes to connect with audiences in new cities and continue building a global fanbase.
Advice for others
When asked what advice they would give to younger artists and dreamers, the band shared a powerful message about the importance of ambition.
The world, they say, is built on dreams. Every everyday convenience—from running water to pillows—started as someone’s idea for something better.
Calling All Captains believes that anyone’s dreams can shape the future. Their own dream is simple: to travel the world performing songs straight from the heart.
And while achieving that dream takes dedication, it also takes support—from family, friends, and fans who believe in the journey.
Their final message is clear:
Think big. Believe in your ideas. And never back down from chasing what matters to you.
Article by - William Onweiler | March 18, 2026
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