Vancouver-based country-folk duo Duke & Goldie return with their luminous sophomore EP Romance and Ramblin’ – a heartfelt collection exploring love, belonging, and the beauty of being an outsider. Led by the raw and anthemic single “Outsider,” the record bridges classic country storytelling with modern reflections on identity and self-discovery.

Produced by acclaimed sonic craftsman Erik P.H. Nielsen (City and Colour, Blue Moon Marquee), Romance and Ramblin’ finds Eric “The Duke” Duquette and Jena “Goldie” Gogo distilling the soul of country music through their own lived experiences. Drawing inspiration from icons like Loretta Lynn, Gram Parsons, and Lucinda Williams, the pair reimagine the heartland sound for a new generation – one defined by vulnerability, warmth, and truth.

“I’ve always been a big fan of classic 70’s outlaw country music – folks like Waylon, Willie and Kristofferson,” says Eric. “Except I don’t live on a ranch, drive a pickup truck, ride horses or have any of the usual country accoutrement. So I felt like a bit of an outsider. When I went back and listened to those old records that I loved so much, I realized that they were singing about being outsiders too. And ultimately, isn’t being an outsider what country is really about?”

That theme of self-acceptance drives “Outsider,” a song that transforms personal reflection into a rallying cry for authenticity. With its stripped-back arrangement – dobro taking the place of pedal steel, minimal electric guitar, and a warm tape delay captured through an old reel-to-reel machine – the track glows with nostalgic grit. The vocal performance, recorded live in the booth while Nielsen manually adjusted the analog delay, captures the immediacy of classic country storytelling.

“I’m proud that my dad’s wisdom made it into this song,” Eric adds. “He’s always been a huge supporter of my music, and he used to tell me to be a leader, not a follower – advice I still try to live up to every day.”