The Wilderness of Manitoba is coming to Fernie on Thursday, February 4 at 8 p.m., at The Arts Station (601-1st Avenue).

“It’s totally modern yet captivatingly anachronistic at the same time” – Time Out Chicago 

In its four year existence, Toronto-based the Wilderness of Manitoba has released three albums, two EPs and toured the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada and the US. One critic described them as blending the sounds of “indie champions like the Civil Wars and Band of Horses with the early ‘70’s magic of Neil Young’s Harvest era.”

The highlights range from their UK live debut at the End of the Road Festival where they received a standing ovation to playing the Philadelphia Folk Festival and meeting Levon Helm to performing the WOMAD festival in the UK with artists like Robert Plant. This year, they were nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards; one for the Pushing the Boundaries Award and one for Vocal Group of the Year.

The Wilderness of Manitoba is one of those bands that is constantly evolving. As it starts a new chapter in its creative life, vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Will Whitwham explains, “Every band is a collective whose body of work is defined by those involved at certain points in time. I’ve often written songs intended for specific people and their strengths.”

With vocalist/violinist Amanda Balsys and bassist Wes McClintock now fully integrated into the Toronto-based band, there is more of an emphasis on Whitwham and Balsys’ duo lead vocals and the more dynamic rhythm section. Balsys also brings another songwriting voice and a wide range of influences. Drummer Sean Lancaric says, “This band always has and always will rely on inspiration to produce anything. New voices start new conversations.”

The Wilderness of Manitoba neither live in wilderness nor Manitoba, actually having a home base in Toronto. That being said, their name suits them perfectly. The five person band released their debut album When You Left the Fire in 2010, and impressed audiences with a distinct sound that warmed hearts and ears. Their rich harmonies carried their autumnal folk melodies from one song to the other with an effortlessness that eases through like a sip of tea on a colourful fall afternoon. With their most recent album, Island of Echoes, they created a unique sound that makes audience want to get of their chairs and dance, so put your dancing shoes on and join them as they visit Fernie for the first time! www.thewildernessofmanitoba.com

The Arts Station

Article Share