Boy Golden: The Gospel of Good Times and Cosmic Country Cool
Boy Golden, the musical moniker of Winnipeg’s Liam Duncan, is leading a quietly powerful revolution in Canadian roots music — one that mixes country, psychedelia, folk, and a whole lot of groove. With his flowing hair, cosmic energy, and laid-back presence, Boy Golden isn’t just writing songs — he’s cultivating a vibe. And that vibe is all about joy, honesty, community, and self-discovery.
Rising out of the prairies with the ease of a morning sunbeam, Boy Golden first gained attention with his 2021 debut album, Church of Better Daze, a genre-bending record that blended classic country storytelling with shimmering steel guitars, psych-folk flourishes, and a weed-positive worldview. It was an invitation to join a world where self-reflection, kindness, and a good jam session could coexist — equal parts spiritual and stoned.
But beneath the mellow aesthetic is a sharp songwriter with real depth. His follow-up, For Jimmy (2023), is a more intimate and layered work — a tribute to a late friend, packed with reflection, humour, and surprising tenderness. With tracks like “Aging Mr. Riley,” “Mountains,” and “Blue Hills,” Boy Golden solidified himself not just as a vibe maker, but a voice with something lasting to say.
Boy Golden’s live performances have become something of legend on the Canadian festival and club circuit — from Rifflandia to Winnipeg Folk Fest, Hillside to Mariposa. Whether solo or with his full band, he creates an atmosphere that’s half church revival, half cosmic barn party. Think: classic Neil Young with a wink, Mac DeMarco with a steel guitar, or Gram Parsons if he’d traded rhinestones for round sunglasses and good weed.
Backed by the House of Golden band, Boy Golden brings harmony-rich singalongs, shredding solos, and lots of smiles — creating a space where everyone, from the die-hard country fans to indie dreamers, feels welcome.
As the founder of the tongue-in-cheek Church of Better Daze, Boy Golden has created more than just songs — he’s created a philosophy. One rooted in slowing down, tuning in, and seeking joy. His aesthetic mixes prairie Zen with psychedelic flair, a soundtrack for the soul-searchers and sun-chasers.
Whether he's performing under twinkling lights at a folk festival, at a small-town theatre, or alongside kindred spirits like The Bros. Landreth, Begonia, or William Prince, Boy Golden is cultivating a career on his own terms: meaningful, musical, and deeply groovy.
For anyone searching for peace, presence, or just a better kind of day, Boy Golden offers the soundtrack — and the sermon — to get there.
