Justin Saladino Reimagines Son House Classic “Grinnin’ In Your Face”

Justin Saladino Reimagines Son House Classic “Grinnin’ In Your Face”
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​Montreal-based guitarist, singer, and songwriter Justin Saladino and his band have released “Grinnin’ In Your Face,” the second single from their forthcoming album Steal My Soul, due October 1, 2026. The track, released August 7, is a bold reworking of the classic Son House song and is available now on all major streaming platforms.

Originally recorded by Son House as a stark, a cappella blues performance, “Grinnin’ In Your Face” takes on a darker and more powerful identity in Saladino’s hands. The band transforms the Delta blues classic into a gritty, brooding blues-rock number, retaining the haunting melody while adding electric slide guitar and the raw energy of a four-piece band.

The song had been part of Saladino’s soundcheck routine for years after he discovered it through a memorable Jack White scene in the documentary It Might Get Loud. “I sang it for years, so it felt natural to cover it,” Saladino explains.

At its core, “Grinnin’ In Your Face” is a song about standing firm in the face of judgment and refusing to be defined by the opinions of others. Saladino’s interpretation amplifies that sense of defiance, channeling the weight and urgency of early-1970s blues rock while preserving the spirit of House’s original.

“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 justice,” Saladino says.
The new single offers another glimpse into the musical breadth of Steal My Soul, an album that moves between ballads, shuffles, blues-rock and roots-driven textures while maintaining a distinctive contemporary roots identity.

Born and raised in Montreal, Saladino has established himself as one of Canada’s notable contemporary blues-rock artists. Together with his band, he has released critically acclaimed albums including No Worries, A Fool’s Heart, JSB Live and Honest Lies, building a strong reputation through performances at major festivals such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Tremblant International Blues Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest and Festival d’été de Québec.

The band also performed at Keeping The Blues Alive At Sea VII alongside Joe Bonamassa. Saladino was nominated for New Artist of the Year at the 2018 Maple Blues Awards before representing Quebec at the 2019 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

With “Grinnin’ In Your Face,” Justin Saladino puts his own contemporary blues-rock stamp on one of Son House’s most enduring songs while offering another compelling preview of Steal .

Website:
justinsaladinoband.com


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