Pistol Whip The Devil Captures Small-Town Nostalgia in New Single “City With One Red Light”

With their signature blend of outlaw country, rock, and grunge, Pistol Whip The Devil delivers a heartfelt tribute to small-town roots with their latest single, “City With One Red Light.” Built on sweeping guitars, anthemic drums, and raw, evocative vocals, the song captures the bittersweet feeling of returning home, where memories linger in the air like smoke from a fire that never quite burns out.

"City With One Red Light" was written about the nostalgic feeling you get when you go back and visit friends and family—it’s like stepping into a time machine," the band shares. "The Okanagan lakes are as familiar as family and old friends. You wander the shores, remembering childhood days spent casting lines, skipping stones, bush parties, cliff jumping, mountain climbing, racing cars, and playing guitars."

The track unfolds like a hazy recollection of youthful nights and first experiences. Shane’s lyrics paint vivid pictures of home, where "days by the lake and nights by the fire" define a place that never truly changes. The chorus swells with a mix of longing and pride:

"As I’m walking by / This city with one red light

I think about the times / The good, the bad, the wrong, the right."

Pistol Whip The Devil’s edgy country-rock sound sits comfortably alongside Dallas Smith, The Sheepdogs, and Tyler Joe Miller, blending gritty storytelling with soaring melodies. Their ability to balance introspective nostalgia with high-energy instrumentation makes them one of the most exciting emerging acts in the Canadian music scene.

That potential has already been recognized—Pistol Whip The Devil was named a 2024 Emerging Artist Creative BC Grant Recipient, further cementing their place in the next wave of breakout country-rock acts.

Formed when longtime friends and musicians found themselves with unexpected time to create during the pandemic, Pistol Whip The Devil is made up of Shane Jolie (vocals, guitars), Geoff Way (guitars, songwriting), Ryan Trimble (bass), and Dan Wood (drums). Their music reflects their own upbringing—Northern Ontario, the Okanagan, and Vancouver—blending the untamed beauty of their surroundings into a sound that’s both familiar and electrifying.

"The fire pits out in the bush are in the exact same spots they were long before," the band shares. "You can almost hear the crackle of logs and the stories that once filled the summer nights. All the old sights and sounds envelop you, and for a moment, you’re fifteen years younger, living those simple, precious days once more."

Following “City With One Red Light,” Pistol Whip The Devil is gearing up for more releases, live performances, and a continued push to bring their roots-driven, hard-hitting sound to wider audiences. Fans can expect music that celebrates the highs and lows of small-town life, the resilience of friendships, and the stories that never fade.

With anthemic energy, a rugged authenticity, and a sound that bridges country, rock, and grunge, Pistol Whip The Devil is proving that sometimes, the places we come from are the ones that shape us the most.