Trubiak Keeps the Memory Alive with New Album
A Deeply Personal Tribute
Two years ago, I was shattered. The loss of my father, Richard Trubiak, in March 2015 left a void in my life that felt impossible to fill. But through music and memory, I found a way to keep his spirit aliv
Originally published in The Reminder – December 7, 2017
Written by Eric Westhaver |read Original Article
Introducing McBain
My third full-length album, McBain, is a deeply personal project inspired by my father and the memories we shared. “McBain” was a nickname he affectionately gave me throughout my life — a secret between the two of us, cherished in birthday cards and handwritten letters.
“I realized nobody’s ever going to call me that name again. Unless I find a way to keep it alive.”
From this idea, a single song grew into a full album. McBain is both a celebration and a commemoration — a tribute to my past, my father, and my evolution as an artist.
The Tiny Army Behind the Sound
To bring McBain to life, I enlisted a “Tiny Army” of incredible musicians, friends, and collaborators. Together, we shaped this record from the ground up.
Musicians & Contributors:
Erick Bergman, Craig Bancroft, Kevin and Kristen Imrie, Kim Jones, Brent Lethbridge, Faith Krahn, Mark Kolt, Paul Shearer, John Bettger, Trevor Sytnick (producer and instrumentalist), and more.
Creative Support:
Crystal Brown – Project Manager
Aileen Martella – Co-songwriter and longtime friend
Catherine Joa – Album artwork designer
The musicianship and the work put into this album were nothing short of amazing
A Community Effort
The creation of McBain wasn’t just a musical journey—it was a communal one. We raised nearly $10,000 through a Kickstarter campaign and promoted the album with handmade merch and live performances.
“Once you’ve recorded an album, you have to fund it, promote it, perform it, and keep it alive.”
Live shows at Johnny’s Social Club marked the official album release, giving the songs their moment to connect with the Flin Flon community and beyond.
The Message Behind the Music
McBain is mellow in tone but rich in emotion. Through themes of life, love, loss, and healing, the album aims to resonate on a human level.
I hope listeners feel like they know me better after hearing it — that they feel something, relate, and maybe feel a little less alone.
Despite its success, I’ve never seen music as a career escape — I remain committed to my work in mental health and create music simply for the love of it.
Inspiring Others
Beyond personal catharsis, I hope McBain inspires fellow artists in Flin Flon and beyond.
If I can do it, maybe others can too. I hope someone else out there decides to write, record, and share their songs with the world.