Gregory Childs & Heart Lung deliver raw, heartfelt alt-country. Fronted by songwriter Gregory Childs and his wife Tyrah Kalman, the band also features Jonathan Billings (guitar), Melissa Paju (bass), and Luke Sutherland (drums). Their sound blends heartfelt songwriting, punchy guitars, tambourine, and raw, emotional vocals. With comparisons to “unplugged Nirvana” and “a dark Fleetwood Mac” from Alan Cross (102.1 The Edge), they’ve become a staple of Toronto’s live scene, performing at venues like the Horseshoe Tavern, Dakota Tavern, and Cameron House. Their self-titled album, featuring remixed and remastered past releases, alongside new material, was released on July 17th, 2026.
Gregory Childs
& Heart Lung
“Unplugged Nirvana… maybe a little dark Fleetwood Mac.” – Alan Cross, 102.1 The Edge
Debut Album
Gregory Childs & Heart Lung released their self-titled album on July 17th, 2026. It was made over several years, starting with sessions in a friend's attic studio in Kitchener, to self-recorded bedroom and basement overdubs. Recording was also done at studios Pineship Sound and Kuhl Muzik in Toronto.
The record is currently available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music. It's also on Bandcamp for free. Vinyl is currently being cut and is now available for presale on the band's website.
The record is currently available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music. It's also on Bandcamp for free. Vinyl is currently being cut and is now available for presale on the band's website.
Track List
Rivers of Love
Blood Ties
Cold Night on Davenport
Chamber Dance
Redd Mudd River
Useless & Young
Lonesome (Beside You Tonight)
Baby Blue
From the Chest
Wool Eyes
No Other Colour
Rivers of Love
Blood Ties
Cold Night on Davenport
Chamber Dance
Redd Mudd River
Useless & Young
Lonesome (Beside You Tonight)
Baby Blue
From the Chest
Wool Eyes
No Other Colour
Past Release
Gregory Childs & Heart Lung released the Baby Blue EP on vinyl in 2021. It's currently available on their website.
Track List
SIDE A: Baby Blue (3:22)
SIDE B: Blood Ties (4:14)
Video
Press
Records & Rockstars with Jeff Woods
"Gregory Childs and his wife bring along crack guitarist Jonathan Billings and band, to Wild Woods Blue to play a couple new songs, and one long ago made famous by Waylon and Willie."
“There’s some unplugged Nirvana in here…maybe a little dark Fleetwood Mac.”
"Another band has a shot at some exposure with this program. This is The Undiscovered Gem. Many people submit songs. Few are chosen. This week it's a new Toronto group called Gregory Childs & Heart Lung."
“A train-chugging emotional wallop and carries the band’s stylistic and songwriting evolution several steps further along the track…” | Canadian Beats
"Traditional-leaning country and folk music often dance along the sharp and rough edges of life – loss, heartbreak, yearning, and the desire for salvation. It connects the heart first, goes deep, and then gets into your bones."
Photos
Download the band photos in their entirety via Google Drive: photo download
Shows
Gregory Childs & Heart Lung have just signed up for a monthly 2026 residency / 3 hour set at Rod, Gun & Barber, a local venue in the Junction, Toronto. The following are some past notable shows.
Contact