Born and raised in Montreal, guitarist, singer, and songwriter Justin Saladino fronts a band celebrated for its contemporary blues/rock sound. With critically acclaimed releases No Worries, A Fool ’s Heart, JSB Live, and Honest Lies, the group has built a strong reputation across the Canadian scene through standout performances at major festivals, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Tremblant International Blues Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, the Festival d’été de Québec and Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea VII, where he performed with Joe Bonamassa. Nominated for New Artist of the Year at the 2018 Maple Blues Awards, the Justin Saladino Band went on to represent Quebec at the 2019 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
The Justin Saladino Band will release “Grinnin’ In Your Face” on August 7, 2026, the second single from the upcoming album Steal My Soul, set for release October 1, 2026. The Son House cover will be available on all major streaming platforms.
Originally performed by Son House as a stark a cappella blues recording, “Grinnin’ In Your Face” is reimagined as a gritty, dark, and brooding blues-rock track. The Delta blues melody remains at its core, powered by electric slide and a raw four-piece band.
It started as Justin’s soundcheck song, which he discovered through a memorable Jack White scene in the film, It Might Get Loud. “I sang it for years, so it felt natural to cover it.” At its heart, the song is about refusing to let the j udgment of others sway you, and the band’s version leans fully into that bold defiance. The track carries the weight and urgency of early-’70s blues rock.
“Son House recorded this song with nothing but his voice and his hands, and it still hits harder than some full bands. We wanted to do it j ustice,” he admits.
With “Grinnin’ In Your Face,” the band continues to reveal the range of Steal My Soul. From ballads to shuffles, blues-rock to roots-driven textures, the album explores different corners of the genre while remaining grounded in a single, distinctive voice.
