All this month we are celebrating acts that you need to look out for in 2026. Today we speak to band Calling All Captains about a successful 2025 and releasing a new Ep in 2026.

Hello tell us all about yourself?

Hi we are Calling All Captains, we’re an Indigenous fronted pop punk/emo band from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We released our debut label EP in 2019 and have been going strong ever since thanks to the good people at New Damage Records supporting our dreams.

How was 2025 for you?

It was a pretty great year for us! We’ve made some very cool accomplishments and did a lot of touring, including a full US run with our friends in Forever Came Calling, and we are currently in the middle of a full cross-Canada headlining tour right now as we write this!

What was the top 3 highlights for you?

1. Playing our biggest hometown show ever at Union Hall in Edmonton was amazing! We played to over 1000 people in the venue we grew up seeing all our favorite bands perform in, and brought in our best friends from BC and AB to join us, so that was a very cool experience for us.

2. We were fortunate enough to open for Bad Religion at K-Days in Edmonton to around 5000 people. It’s a yearly summer carnival type event, and we played our first big stage there a few years back opening for The Offspring, so it was great to be invited back again!

3. Working with Versa films to put together the music video for our new single ” A New Type Of Grey’. We had the idea for this music video for a while now and have just been waiting for the financial ability and right video team to make it happen. It has a very important message in it that we think everyone needs to hear.

What was the key lesson you learnt from last year?

Have fun regardless of who’s watching. We have big shows and small shows and they are all equally important. The stage is the only place we can let ourselves go fully and not shy away from the burning passions of our craft and the work we’ve put in. Not to a point of pride, but allow yourself to experience confidence in your work and achievements.

What are your plans for 2026?

We are releasing our new EP “The Things That I’ve Lost” on Jan 9, 2026 so we’ll be starting the year off strong with some new music, and then we’ll be touring to support that release! We hope to get our first major tour support slot and some opening spots on festivals. Right now we have some opportunities on the go that could be very big for us, but nothing is for sure yet.

What other shows are you looking forward to watching this year?

We don’t get to see very many tbh, we’re always touring or doing our own thing when other artists come to town. I’m pretty upset about missing the Counterparts tour coming thru our hometown of Edmonton, they’re my favourite band to see live.

What styles do you hope to see more of in music this year?

I hope to see more melding of genres, and for bands to achieve their dreams. Too many homies deserve to quit their jobs, but creating and performing music is a tough way to make a liveable wage. 

Who is your band / musician that is your ones to watch in 2026 and why?

Little cheeky here – but I feel like we are one to watch, and here’s why. We are one of the only Indigenous fronted emo bands that also brings Indigenous rights issues into our message. Our new album brings together so many different elements of alt music – from straight pop punk to emo trap and hardcore. I’m just thrilled to have such unique music from song to song. It’s all different, but its all Captains.

Do you have any new years resolutions? If so what are they?

Not really! Just to live well and to seek positive avenues for life and our careers. 

Are you on social media? If so how can people find out more about you?

We are! Search Calling All Captains on any social media or streaming site and you’ll find us. if you want to know more, or catch a show… head to our website callingallcaptainsband.com

Three words why people should come and see you this year?

Tambourine with Scream. 

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