There’s just something about a small town. They have their own reality that is much different than that of a city. People smile at each other on the street and say “Good morning,” and a trip to the grocery store is like a social event rather than an errand.

It’s that type of lifestyle that inspires the music of “mountain folk” band John Jenkins’ Smalltown Revival from Golden, B.C.

“For the most part, I’ve always lived in small towns and there is definitely certain ways about small towns that only exist here,” said John Jenkins, the band’s guitarist and vocalist.

Part of that is the struggles faced by small, resource-dependent communities, as is written about in the song Smalltown Revival. 

“It talks about the mills closing and the mines closing and people having to find a different way of life,” he said.

Accompanying Jenkins in the band is his brother Dan on bass and Yannick Robitialle on piano. The trio have been together for about two years, creating folk music, with a touch of reggae, funk and jazz.

In March, they released their first album, Music From Home, which was recorded in Jenkins’ home in October 2010.

“It worked really well,” he said of the experience of turning his house into a home studio. “We used the upstairs as the recording area and the downstairs as a food and hang out area. We just kind of bunkered down for two weeks. I think I only left once or twice myself.”

Jenkins said he finds inspiration in his home, and with its high ceilings, the acoustics were perfect for recording.

“I was pretty sure it would work out and it definitely translated well to the album, I feel.”

This was Jenkins’ third time recording an album. He has two with his previous band, Swerving Gently, which split up in 2009 when the band’s drummer decided to go back to school.

Jenkins said Smalltown Revival picked up where Swerving Gently left off, although the sound is a little different with the addition of Robitaille on the keys and Jenkins playing the foot kick and foot snare in place of a drummer. 

“With the lack of drumming, we’ve really had to develop different timing and different ways to utilize a simple beat,” he said of his new sound, which has taken the band around Western Canada.

The band started another short tour yesterday in Field, B.C. and will be making their way to Jasper on Dec. 21. This will be the band’s first time playing in Jasper, although Jenkins has participated in a few jam sessions here in the past.

To hear their music or to learn more about the band, visit their website: smalltownrevival.ca.