The Nico Tobias Band is a roots rock and alt-country group from Edmonton, Alberta, making music for driving prairie highways and dancing under the shadow of the Rockies.

Blending Canadiana storytelling with a touch of classic rock swagger, they draw inspiration from heroes like Neil Young and The Guess Who, as well as modern hosers like Corb Lund and Sam Roberts. Equal parts harmony, grit, and barn-burning energy, they’ve been keeping feet on dance floors for over a decade.

Formed in the trenches of Macewan University’s music program, the band started as an outlet for the songs they loved but couldn’t play at their recitals. Years of bar gigs, festivals, and even the occasional sunrise pancake breakfast led to a backlog of stories that started finding their way into their music.

Singer, songwriter, and bassist Nico Tobias writes every tune, with guitarists Ty Coutu and Jordan Ast adding the texture and James O’Neill keeping the whole operation on time. Together, they’ve built a growing catalogue including the full-length No More Mr. Nico Guy (2019), the Edmonton Journal–praised ’Berta Badland Buffalo Boy Band (2020), and the Manhunt! EP (2023). Singles like “Cowboy Trail,” “Saskatchewan,” and “Warm Beer” have found fans across Western Canada — even earning a share from former Premier Rachel Notley.

Winners of the Canadian Songwriting Competition (2018) for Canadiana and featured in Exclaim! Magazine’s “Class of 2020,” their music feels at home anywhere people gather to dance, swap stories, or drink beer. And if the beer’s warm — well, that’s still better than nothing.