Justin Latam and The Stride releasing new single Feb. 28

LEAMINGTON — Anyone in tune with the local music scene, probably already knows who Justin Latam is. Known locally as the ‘barefoot musician’, Latam has been plying his trade for the past 15 years, performing at festivals, concerts and events in and around Essex County and beyond.

Latam and his band, The Stride, recently released a new single, called Stray Dog, and will follow with a brand new single called Secondhand on February 28.

The band is comprised of Latam on lead vocals and guitar, Benny Pallotto on drums, James Staley on bass and Brett Humber on guitar.

Justin Latam and the Stride, from left, Brett Humber, Justin Latam, Benny Pallotto and James Staley.

Stray Dog is a bluesy rock song with a driving guitar riff that reminds the listener of 1970s rock and roll. Meanwhile, Secondhand continues the canine theme with a different sound that is more bluesy and folksy than the first, but both are great songs in their own right.

“We’re just four guys playing rock-and-roll in garages and basements,” said Latam. “With our first record out and no gigs happening, we felt like stray dogs.”

The foursome spent 2019 jamming and recording their first record. They had a release show at The Bank Theatre last March, just before the pandemic put an end to all gatherings.

Cover art for the new single, Secondhand.

“All we can do is try to take each day as it comes and stride on, “ said Latam.

The songs were recorded at The Sound Foundry in Kingsville and Latam raised funds last year for the recording costs by collecting alcohol empties and cashing them in to fund the recordings.

Check them out on Facebook on Justin Latam’s page, or at justinlatam.ca.