Episode Details

The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown: Song 27 — Ian from Maple Ridge

Hey, it’s jD — and this week, we’re heading westward again, this time to beautiful British Columbia to meet a guy who’s literally flying the flag. Meet Ian from Maple Ridge, frontman for Gift Shop — a Tragically Hip tribute band that’s more reverent than replica and more real than cosplay. We talk music, meaning, the magic of tribute done right, and how this band became a spiritual sidecar to Ian’s own life.

But don’t get it twisted — this episode isn’t a promo for his band. It’s a damn good conversation about why people give so much of themselves to keep the music alive. Ian doesn’t play Gord — he channels him. And you’ll feel that. Whether he’s talking about botched breakups, cassette tapes, or that time Gord blew off a fan request with the most legendary “all the way, huh?” ever uttered… this one’s loaded with resonance.

Inside, we get into:

• The girl who handed him The Hip’s debut cassette the night before he meant to break up with her
• The late-night listening parties where Music @ Work became a secret religion
• His take on tribute bands, authenticity, and “channeling without impersonating”
• The elusive beauty of Flamenco, and why it might just be the band’s most “graceful” left turn

🎙️ Next week, we head to Federal Way, Washington to meet Alan, whose Hip journey began with a grainy SNL performance and who once yelled at StubHub in public over concert tickets. It’s a ride — and it’s one you won’t want to miss.

💬 Pull Quote

“The best art doesn’t explain itself — it moves you. And Gord knew that better than anyone.”

👤 About Our Guest

Ian from Maple Ridge is a lifelong Hiphead, original songwriter, and frontman of Gift Shop, a tribute band based in BC. He’s part poet, part showman, and 100% committed to honouring Gord Downie’s legacy with humility, humanity, and volume.

Check out the band: giftshophipband.ca

🧾 Support the Show

Love what we’re doing? Toss a coin in the guitar case:

buymeacoffee.com/tthtop40 — every dollar keeps the pod rolling and supports ALS Canada.

📬 Get Involved

• 🎙️ Drop us a voicemail: castfeedback.com/tthtop40
• 📧 Tell us yer Hipstory: tthtop40@gmail.com

📡 Follow + Stream

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• Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/tthtop40

Transcript follows below.

The Tragically Hip Top 40 Countdown

2025-05-24, 8:50 AM

The Tragically Hip Top 40 Countdown

Join jD beginning Monday, January 6th, 2025 while he counts down the top 40 songs by The

Tragically Hip as voted by you! Every week on The Tragically Hip Top 40 Countdown, jD

welcomes a new guest to discuss their TTH origin story (hipstory) and dissect,

Artist: jD

Year: 2025

Transcript

[0:00] On Friday, May 26th, Podlist 6 i