Thursday Nights are Sacred

Luke Warm and the Cold Ones and a Summer to Remember

Story by Justin Allec, Photos by Chad Kirvan 

When Luke Warm and the Cold Ones were set to release their new self-titled album, they wanted a party, a celebration for all they’d accomplished. They wanted all their friends there—but they also wanted their families present, including young kids. The solution was hosting two shows on the same night, with an earlier slot for earlier bedtimes.

“It was a fun, easy time, really, and I think we loved it more than the kids,” says Greg Chomut (bass/vocals) about the scene at Bar Polonia earlier this summer. Grade-schoolers sporting ear plugs were rocking out and scavenging from tables loaded with pizza, juice boxes, and homemade cookies. The enthusiasm carried over even as the kiddies retired, as later the band repeated their set for an adult crowd more than 300 strong.

Making space for family and friends has been integral to Luke Warm and the Cold Ones since their first gig in 2015. “A mutual friend asked us to play their wedding,” Hillary McDowell (keys/vocals) recalls. “We played a cover of a Ron Sexsmith song… I think we were okay? It was a lot of fun, and we wanted to keep doing it.” Adding in Kyle Oikonen and Carlo DeAgazio on rhythm and lead guitar respectively, and A.J. Haapa on drums, Luke Warm slowly became known around town. Transitioning from covers, bar shows, and their own fund-raising backyard festival (Chomut-palooza!), the band has worked steadily, playing their brand of Canadian summertime rock through bar shows, but also more diverse gigs like street fairs, odd venues like the Mount Baldy chalet, and a recent set at the Marina on Canada Day. “How do you get recognized in Thunder Bay? Once you’ve played the usual spots, you play others,” Chomut says about their approach.

The band promised early on to themselves and their families to keep Thursday nights free for band practices, and the consistency has led to a federal FACTOR grant and opportunities to level up. Frequenting Dreamhouse Studio in Toronto, the five-piece benefitted immensely from the professional atmosphere and the fun of being in the heart of Canada’s music scene. “It’s like a work vacation—but it’s focused,” McDowell explains, as the trips are used for recording but also inspiration and networking. Forging connections with seminal Canadian bands like July Talk shows the members of Luke Warm what’s possible both within and beyond the city’s borders, an education they’re happy to take home. While a globe-spanning tour isn’t part of the five-year plan, the band’s rocking tunes will keep bringing people to the stage—regardless of age.