Interview: Canadian Songwriter Allen Dobb’s New Single, “At the Bridge,” Brings History, Empathy, and Place Into Focus

Pursuing a long-held talent for literate, place-based songwriting, singer-songwriter Allen Dobb unveils his new single “At the Bridge,” a Canadiana-leaning folk and roots composition inspired by the life and legacy of James Teit. Teit was a Shetland-born, self-taught anthropologist who formed deep relationships with Indigenous communities in British Columbia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The first single to be shared from Dobb’s forthcoming album, The Afterlife Sessions (out April 24th, 2026), “At the Bridge” was sparked after attending a performance by longtime friend and songwriter John Gogo, whose work often brings historical figures vividly to life. “After the show, a friend suggested I try writing a song about James Teit,” Dobb recalls. “I was familiar with him through Wendy Wickwire’s biography (the song’s namesake), but felt it would be challenging to bring his life story into song given Teit is a largely unknown historical character. Still, I was inspired by the suggestion and his remarkable life.”

While writing the song, Dobb traveled to Merritt, British Columbia, where Teit is buried in a cemetery overlooking the town and where a small archive dedicated to his life is kept. Visiting the gravesite proved formative. “It was impactful and ultimately inspired the lyrics,” Dobb says. “Those moments, along with stories shared by a friend whose mother worked as a health practitioner among Indigenous communities in the Nicola Valley, all figured into the song in subtle but meaningful ways.”

Musically, “At the Bridge” unfolds with a gentle rise and fall, ultimately resolving into a place of calm acceptance. The recording captures a particularly organic energy, highlighted by Ryland Moranz’s playing on Dobb’s 1927 Martin 00-21 guitar. “It’s light as a feather; Brazilian rosewood and delivers such character and bass response for its size,” Dobb notes. “It was perfectly placed.”

At its core, “At the Bridge” is a testament to trusting the songwriting process. “I was curious how a song with broader appeal might emerge, given all the rich details of the story that were there to work with,” Dobb admits. “But it makes me feel peaceful and at ease, ultimately, that means it’s right. All the pieces work together; the melody is persistent and once it has you, it’s hard to escape.”

1. What did you enjoy most about the creation of this new release?

Recording in the big room at Afterlife Studios in Vancouver, with everyone playing live at the same time was so much fun. I’m fortunate to have been able to make it happen that way, because it’s so easy to work from a home studio and pass tracks back and forth these days. But I think something special happens when everyone is in the studio together especially with this type of acoustic/roots music.  I also enjoyed recording without drums. It was like being released, it allowed the dynamics and the arc of the performance to happen in a totally different way.

2. Share a nugget of advice that has resonated with you most over the years.

Accepting what you do is an artist is a hard thing. I’m trying to live by that. It’s taken many years and I’m still working on it but one thing I know is with that acceptance the art is better. There’s a better chance of it being a true impression and more original.

3. Who would be your dream artist/band to co-headline a tour with?

“I’m with Her” if they’d have me! It’s a dream so I’ll go with it. I love their songwriting, and how they are making it all work with the acoustic instrumentation. Amazing players and singers. I love the three different voices together and apart.

4. What sets your music apart from others in your genre?

That’s hard to say, but maybe it would be in the songwriting and my choice of story setting and metaphor, which are often drawn from natural landscapes that I’ve experienced.  Maybe my vocal style too, which is fairly dynamic.

 5. Tell us what your favourite song is at the moment and why.

The last couple weeks it looks like I’ve listened to The Great Lake Swimmers – “One More Dance Around the Sun” a whole lot.  I really like the acoustic guitar sound, the feel and rhythm, the lead vocal, and the melody, everything about it is working.  There is some collective insight in the song too, that is obviously connecting with me right now.