Dave Barnes is the guitarist and co-founder of Toronto’s powerhouse seven-piece Southern soul and roots-rock band, Bywater Call, which he formed with vocalist Meghan Parnell in 2017. Known for his expressive, emotive slide guitar and his ability to lock into the band’s soulful arrangements, Dave has helped shape Bywater Call’s distinctive blend of blues, rock, soul and Americana.

The band has toured extensively across North America and Europe, earned multiple blues-music award nominations, and shared stages with artists including Joe Bonamassa, Jimmy Vivino and Robert Randolph. Hear them slay and get into your soul on Friday, November 20, 2026 as they set up to conquer Blues at The Cove! Details and reservations here.

---

Seamus Cowan: Your slide guitar playing has become such a recognizable part of the Bywater Call sound. What’s the strangest place, object or situation you’ve ever found yourself using as inspiration for a guitar part?

Dave Barnes: In general my approach to slide is different/strange because I'm still operating in standard tuning. Most slide players utilize an open guitar tuning which makes a lot of sense as the chord tones line up underneath the slide… Standard forces me to approach if differently… for better or worse (probably worse). 

Seamus: You’ve shared the stage with some pretty serious guitar heroes. If you could steal one guitarist’s rig for a single gig — no questions asked — whose would you take and what would you play through it?

Dave: I think I’d like to hear Lowell George’s (Little Feat) set-up. It’s a pretty awesome sound from a Strat. He had a Dumble amp as well which are very rare (and insanely expensive now). 

Seamus: Bywater Call is a seven-piece band, which means there are a lot of musical personalities in one room. Who is most likely to make everyone laugh five minutes before going on stage?

Dave: Our Saxophonist, Julian, created a rating system for ‘the funniest in the band’ and it’s our drummer Bruce! Julian’s also very funny, as is Molj, Meg, Steve, Mike and I never seem to crack the #1 spot :(. 

Seamus: Imagine you’re stranded on a desert island with only one guitar, one amp and three albums. What are you bringing — and what guitar lick would you absolutely refuse to live without?

Dave: Amp - Super Reverb; they just do everything so well. Guitar… I’m not sure I’ve found the one that does it all yet, I guess my Gibson 137 as it’s still my go to. 3 albums: On this desert island I think I’d want to play along with some challenging music… hopefully learn something. So, Wes Montgomery Smoking at the Half Note, One of Derek’s live records… Roadsongs, The White Album by The Beatles. 

Seamus: After hundreds of shows, there must be at least one “you couldn’t make this up” road story. What’s the funniest, strangest or most chaotic thing that has happened to you or the band on tour?

Dave: I think that has to be the wheels coming off our school bus on route to Lincoln, Nebraska. It was just a crazy moment. The bus was a dually (four tires on the rear axle). Mike our bassist was driving. We heard a rumble, and in a few moments, both of the passenger side wheels (not just the tires, the entire wheels) sheared off and the right rear side of the bus slid along the highway shoulder. Mike did a great job of landing us safely, but it could have been catastrophic.

With the help of some good friends and new friends, we still made the gig that night. Meg Steve and I lived in Omaha for a week (c/o our great friends Jeff and Vanessa of the Playing With Fire Festival) while we waited for the bus to be repaired.  Fingers crossed that’s the last time for something like that. 

Posted: Nov 9, 2026