Banned & Outlawed have a few choice words for small-town gossips in their latest single and video People Talk — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
When Jon and Daniel Hnatishin pick up their instruments, it’s not just country music they’re playing — it’s a way of life. Straight out of Hazelridge, Manitoba, Banned & Outlawed embody the spirit of small towns, hard work, and louder-than-life honesty. Their new single People Talk, produced by Chris Burke-Gaffney, is a rowdy, razor-sharp anthem that captures the frustration and humor of being grist for the rumour mill.
In a world that loves to whisper, Banned & Outlawed fire back with guitars blazing. “This song really hits home for us,” says Jon, the band’s lead singer and guitarist. “We grew up hearing all kinds of nonsense about ourselves and our friends. It’s something everyone can relate to — you can be doing everything right, and people will still make up stories.” Daniel, the group’s drummer and backup vocalist, adds, “We just wanted to have fun with it. It’s the kind of song you can laugh to, sing along to, and maybe scream into a beer after a long week.”
Backed by the pounding drums and soaring guitar lines that have become their signature, People Talk shines a light on the everyday resilience of folks who refuse to let gossip define them. With lines like “If they don’t know, they just make it up / They love the drama, can’t get enough,” it’s a full-throttle reminder that living well is the best revenge.
Born and raised on the prairies, Jon and Daniel have been carving out a reputation for themselves one show at a time. Inspired by the grit of classic country and the fire of modern rock, their music leans into both tradition and rebellion — with no apologies and plenty of heart. Their sound is built on real-life stories, dirt-road dreams, and the bond between two brothers who were born to make noise.
Their Livin’ My Life In A Small Town Tour hits the road this spring and summer, with stops across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Highlights include performances at Stonewall’s Canada Day celebration, Oak Lake Manitoba Beach, and the historic Thresherman’s Reunion Beer Gardens in Austin, Man. This is a band that thrive on the road, where sweat, songs, and community collide under the open sky.
They have already sparked excitement across social media with People Talk, drawing praise for its unfiltered storytelling and anthemic energy. “We just want people to hear it and feel like we’re right there with them, living it too,” Jon says. “Because we are.”
With nearly every track they release, Banned & Outlawed continue to stake their claim as one of the most promising new acts in country music. Their independent spirit, bolstered by the kind of hard-earned wisdom you can’t fake, has caught the attention of fans hungry for authenticity in a world full of noise.
As they sing in People Talk, “I wish they’d all just stop / But people talk…” — and with songs this good, people are going to be talking about Banned & Outlawed for a long time to come.
Check out People Talk above, hear more from Banned & Outlawed below, and chat with them on their website, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
