# Mountain — Royal Tusk

- **Artist:** [Royal Tusk](https://musiclist.ca/artist/royal-tusk)
- **Format:** EP
- **Release Date:** 2014-06-10
- **Record Label:** Hidden Pony Records
- **Total Tracks:** 6
- **MusicList Registry URL:** https://musiclist.ca/releases/mountain
- **Spotify:** https://open.spotify.com/album/24eiDNoBpzQ2qshkTDEITa
- **Apple Music:** https://music.apple.com/ca/album/mountain-ep/878060285

## The Story of the Release

Mountain is the debut six-track EP by Royal Tusk, released on June 10, 2014 via Hidden Pony Records. Following the hiatus of acclaimed Edmonton pop-punk group Ten Second Epic, Daniel Carriere and Sandy MacKinnon joined forces with guitarist Quinn Cyrankiewicz and New York-based producers Gus van Go and Werner F (The Stills, Arkells, Wintersleep). The release spawned the breakout Canadian rock and alternative radio single 'Shadow of Love', establishing Royal Tusk's signature blues-infused rock sound across the country.

## Canadian Press & Critical Reception

> "Mountain delivers heartfelt, soul-soaked prairie rock with big hooks and grit to spare."
> — **Exclaim!** (2014-06-10) [Read Article](https://exclaim.ca/music/article/royal_tusk-mountain)

> "An impressive, hook-laden debut EP that establishes Royal Tusk as an immediate force in Alberta rock."
> — **Edmonton Journal** (2014-06-12) [Read Article](https://edmontonjournal.com/entertainment/music/royal-tusk-mountain-review)

## Complete Track-by-Track Liner Notes & Credits

### 01. Smoke Rings (3:36)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriting [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 02. Shadow of Love (3:32)
- **Story:** "Breakout radio hit that launched Royal Tusk onto the national Canadian rock scene." — *Edmonton Journal*
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriting [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 03. The Letter (3:28)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriting [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 04. Years (3:35)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriting [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 05. Deep Blue Sea (3:52)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriting [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

### 06. Fighting Blues (4:00)
- **Performance & Session Musicians:**
  - **Daniel Carriere**: Lead Vocals, Guitars, Songwriting [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/daniel-carriere)
  - **Quinn Cyrankiewicz**: Guitars [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/quinn-cyrankiewicz)
  - **Sandy MacKinnon**: Bass [SOURCED] [Profile](https://musiclist.ca/person/sandy-mackinnon)

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*Documented and verified via MusicList.ca — Canada's Independent Music Registry.*