GBS just released The Hard And The Easy, its eighth album and its first ever comprising entirely traditional tunes from the band’s native Newfoundland. So don’t be surprised if the upcoming shows include a healthy sprinkling of the band’s favorite folk songs.

The itinerary includes two-night stands in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Somerville, Mass.; and its hometown of St. John’s, Newfoundland.

A full 40 shows are planned for the outing, which stretches all the way through May 5.

The highly music-oriented culture of the band’s home region made an album of traditional local songs an easy task.

“There were a thousand amazing songs in our backyards,” the band’s Alan Doyle said. “The biggest reason to do an album like this is because you can. If you are a Newfoundland musician, they’re available and accessible. Most folk musicians would love to have a body of work like this to draw on.”

“We’re proud of these songs and very much love the place they come from.”