Nap Eyes performs at Black Cat on March 9, 2020. (Photo by Casey Vock)

When Canadian bands make their way into the United States, they oftentimes tour with a posse of fellow Canucks. Such was the case recently at the Black Cat, where Nap Eyes performed as the opening act for a much-anticipated Destroyer show.

Hailing from way up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, about 3,600 miles from Destroyer’s home of Vancouver, Nap Eyes is an indie rock group that has released four studio albums in seven years, the most recent being 2020’s Snapshot of a Beginner (officially due for release on March 27).

Stream Snapshot of a Beginner by Nap Eyes on Bandcamp:

[bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=1976587967 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false artwork=small]

Comprised of Nigel Chapman (vocals, guitar), John Salter (bass) and Seamus Dalton (drums), Nap Eyes ordinarily features Brad Loughead on lead guitar.

But with Loughead unavailable for this current jaunt, Nap Eyes announced prior to the tour a surprise guest in his absence: the wildly talented, hyper-entertaining singer-songwriter Ryley Walker, who joined the band at Black Cat on March 9.

Parklife DC was on hand to take in the set, which included not only the rare Walker cameo but the Illinois-native playing his gnarly, newly-reconstructed 1972 Fender Stratocaster.

Here are some photos of Nap Eyes performing with Ryley Walker at Black Cat on March 9, 2020. All photos copyright and courtesy of Casey Vock.