Chambers DesLauriers

Our Time To Ride

40 Below Records

Annika Chambers was born and raised in the Houston, Tx. area. Influenced by Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, and Dottie Peoples she began singing gospel. While serving eight years in the Army, with tours in Kosovo and Iraq, she began to develop an appreciation for the blues including Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and Koko Taylor. Chambers formed her  first band in 2011 and although “Annika & the House Rules” didn’t win the local Battle of  The Bands she impressed two of the judges, Larry Fulcher, and Richard Cagle owner of  Montrose Records. Her first album on Montrose was 2014’s “Making My Mark” with the  Houston All-Stars. It resulted in Chambers receiving a 2015 Blues Music Award nomination as “Best New Artist Album”. Chambers violated some rules and broke the law. She was sentenced to serve six months. Before serving out her sentence Chambers sat down with  her manager, executive producer Miki Mulvehill, and co-producers Fulcher, Tony Braunagel, and Cagle to select songs “that spoke to her”. Chambers also wrote one song and co-wrote another before recording 2016’s “Wild & Free”. In 2019 she followed-up with “Kiss My Sass”, her third studio album.

Paul DesLauriers has long been thought of as a great guitarist and able vocalist. He played with the Canadian band “Black Cat Bone”; Johnny Ferriera, Bryan Lee and Canada’s “Queen of The Blues” Dawn Tyler Watson. In 1997 he formed The Paul DesLauriers Band. In 2014 the band released their widely acclaimed self-titled debut reaching number one, on the Canadian Blues Chart. The band followed-up with “Relentless” and were crowned the “Electric Act of The Year”. At the time DesLauriers was a two-time Maple Blues Award winner as “Entertainer of  The Year”. The band also took 2nd place at the 2016 International Blues Challenge held  annually in Memphis.

In 2022 Chambers and DesLauriers joined forces on “Good Trouble”. Together the lovers produced the album featuring lead and backing vocalist Chambers, guitarist, mandolinist and vocalist DesLauriers and bassists Chris Peet, Gary Davenport, and Alec McElcheran. Peet was  also the primary drummer. They featured covers including Joe South’s “Walk A Mile in My  Shoes, Little Willie John’s “Need Your Love So Bad”, and Mountain’s “Mississippi  Queen”. You could hear the Mavis Staples influence. “Our Time To Ride” was produced,  recorded, and engineered by Eric Corne at Studio Mixart, Montreal QC. Three songs were  written by Chambers and DesLauriers, four written with them and Eric Corne, one with the threesome and Davenport, and one written solely by Corne. On “Our Time To Ride” the rhythm  section includes Davenport, bass; and Sly Coulombe, drums and percussion; also featured are  Sasha Smith, organ, piano and Clavinet; David Ralicke, saxophones; and Mark Pender, trumpet.

The first two songs were written by the duo, as Annika sings “I guess I love you thru sunshine  and rain, I just remain, whatever baby, I love you just the same”. On “People Gonna Talk” Annika belts “people are gonna’ try to change the story…people gonna talk about it night and day…I’m gonna’ love you no matter what they say, people gonna’ talk”. The next two, were written by the  duo with Corne; on “Written In the Stars” Chambers chimes “don’t ever leave me, I’ll never leave you…every whisper in the dark, it was written in the stars, we will be together, me and you”, with  some great slide from DesLauriers. “Believe In Love” features Smith on organ and piano, as Annika chants “believe in love, open your heart, and let your soul be free, open your heart and let that spirit burn, coast to coast, open your heart, believe in love”.

“Sing” was written by Corne as Annka cries “sing, sing, for the suffering, every day bring the hammer, sing for the silent, sing for the suffering”. “Temperature of One-O-Nine” was written by the writing trio with the addition of Davenport, as Annika groans “I ain’t about to change my mind, even in stormy weather…with the temperature of One-O-Nine”, as guitarist DesLauriers absolutely shreds it. On “In The Heart Of The Night” Annika howls “down in the bayou…with my guitar…I got the boogie-woogie blues in the heart of the night…the Louisiana moon, oh so bright, in the heart of the night”. The title track “Our Time To Ride” features Annika as she sings “like a freight train, so when you hear that train, it’s time to ride, get on board, don’t be left behind, comin’ on in, like a freight train, it’s our time to ride, thru the snow and rain, comin’ on in like a freight train”. On my favorite, the closer, written by the duo, Annika croons “let me tell you about my man, let me tell you about my love, his love is one in a million…we came from two different worlds, let me tell you about my love, his love is one in a million”, with more great guitar from DesLauriers.

“Our Time To Ride” is a soundtrack to love, resilience and the road ahead. Chambers DesLauriers  deliver a dynamic soul-stirring experience of high energy fusion of blues, soul, and rock n’ roll. Let’s get on board and ride with Chambers DesLauriers.

Richard Ludmerer

BUY NOW

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Order the New Book From Making a Scene

Breaking Chains – Navigating the Decentralized Music Industry

Breaking Chains is a groundbreaking guide for independent musicians ready to take control of their careers in the rapidly evolving world of decentralized music. From blockchain-powered royalties to NFTs, DAOs, and smart contracts, this book breaks down complex Web3 concepts into practical strategies that help artists earn more, connect directly with fans, and retain creative freedom. With real-world examples, platform recommendations, and step-by-step guidance, it empowers musicians to bypass traditional gatekeepers and build sustainable careers on their own terms.

More than just a tech manual, Breaking Chains explores the bigger picture—how decentralization can rebuild the music industry’s middle class, strengthen local economies, and transform fans into stakeholders in an artist’s journey. Whether you’re an emerging musician, a veteran indie artist, or a curious fan of the next music revolution, this book is your roadmap to the future of fair, transparent, and community-driven music.

Get your Limited Edition Signed and Numbered (Only 50 copies Available)  Free Shipping Included