Halifax rock and Americana outfit Newbridge have released Past Lives, an album steeped in storytelling and rich, evocative soundscapes. The focus track, “Iroquois,” encapsulates the heart of the record—a folk-infused, country-Americana tale of longing, love, and the journey between them.

Thematically, Past Lives explores the searcher’s spirit—the drifter caught between adventure and belonging, between love and the pull of home. With roots in the traditional folk music of the Maritimes, vocalist/guitarist Keith Maddison’s songwriting reflects the historical seafaring nature of his ancestors, where leaving was an inevitability, but returning was never guaranteed. This contrast of freedom and sacrifice forms the backbone of “Iroquois” and much of Past Lives.

Inspired by a summer spent in the small town of Iroquois in eastern Ontario, the song reflects the experience of many Maritimers who must leave their homes, traditions, and communities in search of work, only to find themselves in unfamiliar places, forging new connections, and making sense of it all.

With a sound reminiscent of Neil Young’s Harvest and The Band’s self-titled album, “Iroquois” evolved in Nashville, where Newbridge leaned into warm, earthy tones that perfectly frame the song’s wistful narrative. The track also features the stunning harmonies of Shannon McNally (Mike Campbell, Dr. John, Levon Helm), whose presence amplifies the song’s deep Americana and Canadiana roots.