Mistaken for Wayne: Whitefish

Mistaken for Wayne: Whitefish

Mistaken for Wayne presents new single “Whitefish” with accompanying video out on June 25th, and announces debut LP out on September 25th.

Mistaken for Wayne is the project of Northern Ontario farmer and musician Wade Montpellier, created in collaboration with close friends and longtime musical partners. Following the 2024 release of the EP “This Time of Year”, the group is set to release their debut full-length album “Whitefish”. Rooted deeply in themes of place and identity, Whitefish explores the idea that “it’s in the water”— a reflection on how environment shapes who we are. Now fully settled back in his hometown, Montpellier offers a more intimate look at the land, community, and self that have long informed his music.

The title track, “Whitefish,” opens as our anthem for the new chapter of Mistaken for Wayne. It’s a rocking picture of town gossip. A counsellor missing. A church bell stolen. The horses run wild—so does Mistaken for Wayne and the band. Electric guitars. Whining pedal steel. The yelled harmonies have a listener singing along. This is a song cut right from the cloth of Neil Young or Fred Eaglesmith. It’s true tales of a small Canadian town, overtop a melody meant to roll down the truck windows and cruise through an open country. 

The band is Wade Montpellier on vocals and guitar, Olivier Palkovits on lead guitar and backing vocals, Jonathan Danyliw on bass and backing vocals, Dylan Kelly on drums, and Matthew Wiewel on pedal steel. The song was recorded live off the floor by Olivier Palkovits at Studio Le Grease Trap in Sudbury, Ontario. 

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