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Famous Strangers are a four-piece band from Alberta, Canada. New single ‘LSC’ has just dropped, and the band were on hand to spill the beans about everything Famous Strangers-related.
What are the origins of Famous Strangers? And how long have you been playing together?
We’re four veterans of the Alberta music scene with over 20 years of experience in bands like Pugnacious, This Is War, and The Order of Chaos. Two years ago, we started jamming cover songs just for fun. We didn’t set out to form a band, but the connection was undeniable. Famous Strangers came together naturally and evolved into a full-time creative force before we even realized it.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe Famous Strangers?
Honestly, we never play the same show twice. Every set is a little different because we follow the energy in the room. Expect connection, heart, and a group of friends who just want to share good times and meaningful music. Musically, no two songs sound the same. People describe our sound as moody, haunting, soulful, gritty, and genre-fluid. We lean into rock, metal, blues, and beyond. With every release, we dig deeper into who Famous Strangers really is.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?
It was equal parts nerves and magic. We opened for The Devil’s Sons at The Starlite Room. It was our first time hitting the stage together and finding our rhythm in real time. The support from the crowd and fellow bands was amazing. That night marked the beginning of something we all knew would be special.
What are you working on at the moment that people can check out?
Our latest release is LSC, which has a music video on YouTube and is streaming on all platforms. It’s a dark, sexy, metaphorical take on insect mating, put into human context. Right now, we’re preparing to record a four-song EP that dives deeper into our evolving sound. New music is coming soon.
Which band would Famous Strangers be best suited to open for right now?
That’s a tough one, because our style is so diverse. We can adapt to almost any lineup — metal festivals, rock nights, even blues fests. A few of our songs would pair well with Striker or Unleash the Archers, but as we keep writing and releasing music, we expect those answers to shift.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
We want to see all our friends succeed. But if we had to name names:
● Femme Voyous from Edmonton — punk goddesses with serious stage presence
● Gravemass
● Darkened Skies
● Forsaken Rite
● Quietus
● Stone Crown
Every one of them is grinding hard and deserves the spotlight.
What frustrates you about the music business?
Streaming makes it easier to discover music but harder to survive as a musician. We miss the days when selling a CD at a show helped pay for gas and gear. Today, it’s about numbers, content, and constant self-promotion. A band’s online presence can matter more than their live performance, which feels backward to us. We wish there were more resources and support systems for working musicians in Canada. Some countries invest in their artists. We hope to see more of that here someday.
What are your first musical memories, and what was the lightbulb moment that made you say, “I want to do that”?
Amanda: My favorite subject in kindergarten was music. My stepdad played acoustic guitar and introduced me to The Beatles. Later, Timothy Privos pulled me into the metal scene, and it all clicked. I’ll never forget sneaking into shows and feeling that raw community vibe. Seeing Damageplan live at The Starlite Room was a huge moment for me.
Jeff: My dad played in The Young Ones and even opened for The Who. Music was always in the house and part of my DNA.
Beej: Grew up on jazz and piano before falling into punk and metal.
Braden: Got into music early too — there’s one album that lit the spark for him. We’ll get him to share that story next time.
What was the last gig you attended as a fan?
Amanda: Last week at The Temple in The Starlite Room for Anonymous Olympic’s CD release. Witch, Tidebringer, and Werewolf were also on the bill. I was exhausted, but went anyway. The moment I walked in, it felt like home. Watching kids mosh with their ear protection on reminded me why we do this. The community here is everything.
What current social issue are you particularly passionate about?
Love and unity. There’s so much noise and division in the world right now. It affects all of us mentally and emotionally. We just want to spread kindness and connection. The answer isn’t more anger, it’s more understanding. Coming together. Supporting each other. That’s how we survive. That’s how we heal.
The album in your collection that would surprise most people?
Amanda: Maybe Phantom of the Opera would surprise a few people. But my playlist goes everywhere — DatSik, Imogen Heap, Black Tiger Sex Machine, Stefflon Don. Chaos in the best way.
Everybody is a fan of something — who or what are you a fan of?
Amanda: I’m a fan of Mother Earth. I’m currently studying Herbology and learning how much healing and power lives in the natural world. I’m a fan of trees. Of love. Of community. Of connection. Those things matter. I’m a fan of anything that brings people together instead of tearing them apart.
What new music have you been enjoying this year?
Right now:
● Youngblood’s cover of I Was Made For Loving You
● Jesse Villa’s cover of Wicked Games
● Reckless by Lacuna Coil
● Bombshell by Halestorm
● Circle With Me by Spiritbox …and a hundred more we’ll remember after this interview.
What does 2026 hold for Famous Strangers?
A lot. We’ve been playing major Canadian festivals like Loud As Hell, Decimate, and Armstrong Metal Fest. We’re writing constantly, filming videos, and prepping to drop our next EP. 2026 is the year the FS journey truly begins. It’s not just about pushing forward; it’s about flowing forward. Letting go, taking chances, and seeing where this ride takes us.
How active are you on social media, and where can people connect with you?
Amanda: I run the social media for Famous Strangers and post almost daily. You can find us on:
● Instagram and TikTok: @famousstrangersband
● YouTube and Facebook: Famous Strangers
And you can follow us personally, too:
● Amanda Rochelle Kiernan
● Jeff Kittlitz
● Braden Sustrik
