HOLD THE MUSTARD PRODUCTIONS: A Pre-Show Interview with Dredge the River

Dredge the River are one of FIVE bands striking the Chill House stage during this Sunday’s HEAVY METAL MATINEE, with this marking their second Chill House performance of March for the second instalment of Hold the Mustard’s HEAVY METAL MATINEE concert series. It's a day that is sure to be a hard-hitter, and there's no better place to be for the last Sunday of 2026's spring break. Bring a friend, throw down, and have a day worth remembering.  

The band's massively heavy sound is something you won't want to miss out on catching live. Their live performances are truly electrifying and one of a kind; and you'll want to have them on your bucket list. The band ensures that every performance provides something heavy, with blasting beats and a thumping sound that builds before the harsh instrumental palates reel in and get the pits smashing. 

They're sure to rock the roof off of the Chill House this Sunday - and they're coming to bring the heat to the venue. 

I was able to get answers from both Ross Redeker (Vocalist, co-founder), and Thomas Johnston (Vocalist, co-founder) to ensure that fans and newcomers are able to get the full experience of Dredge the River, with their answers providing depth and knowledge on the band - that way you know exactly what you're coming for and getting into with their set for their addition to the second installment of HEAVY METAL MATINEE. 

You can find never-seen-before information about the band and what they're all about below the cut - and you won't want to miss it! 

----------------------------------------------------------

Q: What is your role in the band like?

A (Redeker): Me and Thomas are co-founders but the other lads add the spice. We function as a machine adding we’re we can. It’s complete symbiosis 

A (Johnston):  I’m one of the throats in the band. Ross is another. 

We have an amazing dynamic of putting lyrics to music together I’ve never had with anyone else. 

I’m the vocalist but by no means am I the center piece or “frontman” as far as I’m concerned. 

We work well  as a machine and I’m just a gear in that machine. 

Ross’s vocals are just as important as mine,,, we feed off each other very well to get what we have out. 

Q: What can people expect from your show at the Chill House?

A (Redeker): Bring ear plugs and make sure your neck is stretched before cuz we will make your body move and you will feel the weight of DTR

A (Johnston): People can expect 100% of us. There’s no holding back for us. 

We’re visceral and in the moment, feeling what we play. Catharsis unleashed . 

Q: What do you bring to the stage?

A (Redeker): I’ve always been and animal. I am the nicest, most caring, loving guy you will ever meet. Ask anyone. My hugs are genuine and real. On stage?!? Don’t approach me. That’s a different being. You can see it in my eyes, my movements and mostly my grunts at the sky.

A (Johnston): I bring a path to complete the circuit like all 4 of us do. 

I bring myself as honestly as I can to do something I love with people I love ,,,,and the biggest beard

Q: When creating music, what is the most important factor for you? If there are multiple, lets hear about all of them!

A (Redeker): It has to have feel. It has to encode a spark in you. I want to look out and see people with their eyes closed nodding in unison. I play what I feel. Brent drums what he feels. Russ hammers what he feels. And Thomas? Oh you know he tells you what he feels.

A (Johnston): Integrity to the song. 

Lyrics that describe the sound and stay true to the feel and ambience. 

I’m blessed to be involved with these guys making music. 

It’s an amazing dynamic I didn’t expect. 

The most important factor though is that we agree we just Dredged it out. 

Q: If you could describe your sound in one word, what would that word be?

A (Redeker): Enveloping 

A (Johnston): Swamp

Q: What are some of the most important parts about performing live for you?

A (Redeker):  I want to get it out. The day to day grind wears on us. All of us. When we jam it’s cathartic. We are held at bay for another week. When we play live? We purge. We reboot, recharge, and reignite.

A (Johnston): Being in those few moments I have with the boys. 

The eye contact. The head nods. The winks between us. 

It’s keeps us focused so we can show people what we do. 

Q: What are your favorite memories from live performances that the band has put on?

A (Redeker): This is an old band. We blasted a few of these songs…hell…30yrs ago. Memories from then are just as beautiful as the memories we are creating today. Smiles. Hugs. Pumping fists. People who tap into our veins and seem to love hearing us as much as we want them to hear us.

A (Johnston): First and foremost seeing my son in the crowd. 

After that I’d have to say Ross’s lollipops make me happy and obviously seeing the crowd groove out. 

Q: How long have you been making music for?

A (Redeker): I have played guitar since I was 12. I’ve been playing in bands since I was 17…damn…that was 35yrs ago. And I’m still trying to destroy my neck LOL!

A (Johnston):  Ross and I played together 20+ years ago and ended up parting ways. 

He moved and we lost contact for a couple decades. 

I ended up giving up music pretty much for 25 years. 

3years ago I ended up going to Kelowna to see his then band Heron open for Conan. 

He spotted me in the crowd and was love at first sight again. 

A few months later we started playing together again. 

Q: What would you describe your sound as?

A (Redeker): Think. Heavy. Like trying to pull up 2 hands worth of muck from the Fraser River. People say we’re Sludge. I say we’re Swamp. But we always have this beautiful sprinkle of hope. This ray of light that lifts you. Until the next song slams you back down into that muck.

A (Johnston): Swamp Metal. 

Q: What draws you to the kind of music you create?

A (Redeker): Despair. Anger. Hope. 

A (Johnston): Mental trauma mostly. 

Q: What is your recording process like?

A (Redeker): Fun. Just hearing what we create properly brought to life for all to hear. Beers, laughter and astonishment that this is what we’ve created.

A (Johnston): Our recording process consists of a lot a beer, a lot of laughs and laying tracks that make us all really proud. 

We’re all looking forward to getting back to the studio really soon to get our new songs recorded and put out there. 

Q: Lastly, what is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring artists?

A (Redeker): Play what you love. Stay the course. Create for yourselves. If they get it, they get it. If they don’t , then they don’t. You define your band. Not the crowd. 

A (Johnston): Stay to true to yourself and refine a sound that’s a part of your soul not part of a herd.

----------------------------------------------------------

Don't miss out on your chance to see the swamp gods live in the flesh this Sunday - and be sure to come prepared! The Chill House is sure to be bustling for this show, and it's one that you will not want to go without seeing.

Show hosted by Hold the Mustard Productions, for booking information and inquires, contact holdthemustardproductions@gmail.com

For interview requests or questions, comment directly here or seek the contact form on the site.