Great Lake Swimmers Capture Fleeting Memories With Reflective New Single “Youth Not Wasted”

Written By: Big C

---

Photo Credit: Robert Georgeff

Every part of the adventure of youth does in fact matter. Toronto-based indie folk collective Great Lake Swimmers return with their wistful new track Youth Not Wasted. Released today alongside a visualizer, the single is a harmony-laden meditation that unfolds like a hazy photograph. Led by Tony Dekker, the group channels early ’70s folk-pop textures and intimate acoustic storytelling, evoking the spirit of Gordon Lightfoot and John Martyn while carving out something timelessly their own. Dekker explains the inspiration:

It suggests that every part of the adventure of youth does in fact matter, and constructs our identities in the present day. It considers the ‘caught light’ of an old photograph, books left unread, and the points to which life’s energy ultimately pushes us.

Recorded with producer Darcy Yates and engineer Jimmy Bowskill in Ontario’s Ganaraska Forest, the album captures a direct, unvarnished approach. The song is the first glimpse of their forthcoming ninth studio album Caught Light, due October 10 via the band’s longtime creative home. The title track draws from childhood memories of skydivers landing in the fields near his Niagara home—a metaphor for lives blown off course yet still touched by light. With a reputation built on lush live shows and intimate storytelling, Great Lake Swimmers are set to bring "Caught Light" to stages across Canada and the U.S. this fall, joined by Elliott BROOD, Rita Visser, Justin Wells, and Abe Partridge on select dates. Stream “Youth Not Wasted” and up with catch Great Lake Swimmers on INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE, TWITTER/X, FACEBOOK, and BANDCAMP.

#GreatLakeSwimmers #YouthNotWasted #CaughtLight #TonyDekker #DarcyYates #JimmyBowskill #CELBlog #ElliottBROOD #GordonLightfoot #JohnMartyn #GanaraskaForest #ElliottBROOD #RitaVisser #JustinWells #AbePartridge