Joel Plaskett Gets Surprise Tribute Album for His 50th: ‘Songs From The Gang’

Joel Plaskett turned 50 this month—and over 20 of his musical friends surprised him with something unforgettable: Songs From The Gang, a double album of cover songs pulled from across his career.

Plaskett found out about the project the week of its release, when his longtime manager Sheri Jones orchestrated a surprise in-store display at Ditch Records in Victoria, BC. Thinking he was just popping in before dinner, he stumbled on the album for the first time.

Later that night, surrounded by friends at Burning Rainbow Studio, he gave it a listen. “I was really moved by it — listening to all the great versions of the tunes,” he says in a video shared after the fact. “Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to it.”

Out April 11th via turtlemusik, Songs From The Gang is a love letter to Plaskett’s decades-long influence on Canadian music. The project features a genre-hopping cast of contributors from The Sheepdogs' riff-heavy take on “Down at the Khyber,” to Erin Costelo’s soft, glowing cover of “Old Friends.” Mi’kmaq artist Alan Syliboy reimagines “Nowhere With You” with drums, original lyrics, and Mi’kmaq translation, turning the familiar anthem into a full-on kitchen party.

Other contributors include Sloan, Rose Cousins, Bahamas, Frank Turner, Jenn Grant, Mo Kenney, David Myles, City and Colour, Arkells, and Alan Doyle, each putting their own spin on songs from Plaskett’s solo work and his years with The Emergency.

Much like Joel himself, the album is collaborative, playful, and deeply rooted in community. Songs From The Gang lands on all streaming platforms April 11. Vinyl and CDs are available at joelplaskett.com.