Dispatch 26: Introducing The Louis S. St-Laurent’s one and only band: The Sculpins

Branden O’Brien and Richard Butler practicing.

Blair on the drums

The guitar squad

Band practice from above

Waves crashing observed from the bridge

Wave forecast (windy.com) with the green star showing our approximate location

Sarah Sedlock

October 10, 2023

Dispatch 26: Introducing The Louis S. St-Laurent’s one and only band: The Sculpins

My name is Sarah Sedlock, and I work at the Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS). Life aboard the Louis often consists of working long hours and each day can start to feel a little bit like the last. The crew members have come up with a unique way of keeping life interesting and creating a space to connect socially by forming a band called “The Sculpins.” Their practice space is nestled in none other than the belly of an icebreaker where you can find a full drum kit, guitars, mics, and a PA system. It is truly a one-of-a-kind rock and roll space.

Few mediums have the ability to connect people the way that music does. When I first stepped foot on the Louis S. St-Laurent, word seemed to travel quickly that I was a musician. My travel guitar that was strapped precariously to the outside of my worn red backpack must have given me away. On our second day aboard the vessel, the Chief Cook Blair Walsh approached me during an abandon ship drill and said “Are you Sarah? You’re a musician, right? Come play with us!” After finishing up my midnight to noon shift for the day I made my way to the familiar sound of a kick drum.

The Sculpins are a 5-piece band who play a wide variety of music. They are comprised of Chief Officer Branden O’Brien on vocals, Blair Walsh Chief Cook on drums, Jordan Pike Assistant Cook on guitar, Sr. Electrical Officer Richard Butler on acoustic guitar, and Ryan Bernard, a cadet, also on guitar. I was more than happy to fill the place of the missing bass player. Having the ability to play music while aboard the Louis adds a fantastic social aspect to the ship and allows for a creative outlet while at sea. The Sculpins will be playing a show in the forward lounge tonight as an end-of-cruise and farewell to science!

As for our journey back to Cambridge Bay, we have experienced large swells (as predicted) beginning last night and continuing throughout this morning. Many of us have gone up to the Bridge to observe the crazy waves coming up over the ships’ bow and crashing into the windows. As the night progresses and we travel further east towards Cambridge Bay, the waves and wind should calm down just in time for the Sculpins to perform!