Ketch Harbour Wolves

Artist Information

Biography

“As a whole, Anachronisms feels less like an album recorded by a bunch of musicians and more like a subtly-unfolding puzzle painstakingly assembled by a crew of master craftsmen.”
- Space City Rock

“I can say, without any kind of hyperbole, that Anachronisms is everything I could've hoped for and then some. Not only do Ketch Harbour Wolves capture everything that made Dead Calm Horizon special, they go even further and show that they're capable of much, much more […] in Anachronisms, Ketch Harbour Wolves have created one of the best albums of the year.”
- i(heart)music

“Sometimes we can find the words necessary to say what we really mean while other times our tongues are dry. But it is at all times, at our highest highs and lowest lows, that we thirst for that feeling of freedom that takes on our bodies when we collide with a song. It is very rare to find an entire album that manages to evoke such a thing but Anachronisms by Ketch Harbour Wolves does exactly that.”
- Sugarcain Entertainment

* * * * *
Deeply passionate vocals and melodically charged songs, soulfully produced and epically performed, Ketch Harbour Wolves have created their own brand of baroque folk rock. Wintry depths of sound and darkly emotive lyrics are quickly becoming their calling cards, showcasing an organic and sensitive approach to songwriting which falls somewhere along a line between The National and Kate Bush.

The Wolves hail from across Ontario, yet foster a deep connection to Ketch Harbour (Nova Scotia). It was there at the edge of the ocean that Ketch Harbour Wolves began to grow in the tiny coastal village - at which point the band was merely a seedling nurtured by vocalist/guitarist Jonathan Tyrrell and percussionist Brian Urbanik. Ketch Harbour Wolveswere born five-strong on the familiar ground of Toronto with bass guitarist Scott Winter, lead guitarist Liam Brown, and multi-instrumentalist Kristjan Bergey (keyboards, flute, saxophone) forging the dynamic and powerful quintet that the Metro Newspaper has called “the perfect mix of brooding passion, infectious melodies and rich, layered instrumentation.”
With live performances both explosive and captivating, the band has developed a feverishly loyal following in Toronto and beyond. Consistently drawing passionate crowds, Ketch Harbour Wolves have been repeatedly handpicked to showcase at a number of festivals including NXNE, CMW and Midpoint Music Festival.

Their new album Anachronisms follows the ambitious debut, Dead Calm Horizon - which garnered the #1 Album of 2008 accolade on three independent Canadian blogs. Anachronisms was recorded at a remote cabin in eastern Ontario, and then mixed by Laurence Currie (Wintersleep, In-Flight Safety, Sloan) at Sunnyside Studios in Toronto. Showcasing a mature yet energetic sound, Anachronisms steps deliriously through a stark landscape haunted by omens, taboos and unfulfilled miracles. Taking their tried and true formula of mixing together lush orchestrations with soulful vocal harmonies, this stunning follow-up builds Ketch Harbour Wolves a new path to follow and further proves their name as one of Canada’s most promising outfits.

Instrumentation

Kristjan Bergey, Piano/Synth, Flute, Saxophone ;
Liam Brown, Guitar + Vocals;
Jonathan Tyrrell, Vocals + Guitar;
Brian Urbanik, Drums/Percussion;
Scott Winter, Bass

Discography

Ketch Harbour Wolves: Anachronisms (2010)
Ketch Harbour Wolves: Dead Calm Horizon (2008)
Ketch Harbour Wolves: December (2007)

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• KHW - Body Without Organs
  Listen  
• Damscus
  Listen  
• Breakdown
  Listen  
• August 12
  Listen  
• Words
  Listen  
• Gold
  Listen  
• Animals
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Gold
• Leaves
• Animals
• Words

Video

Words

Photo Gallery

Press

• Ketch Harbour Wolves - "Anachronisms" review [+ Show ]
  

  “As a whole, Anachronisms feels less like an album recorded by a bunch of musicians and more like a ...“As a whole, Anachronisms feels less like an album recorded by a bunch of musicians and more like a subtly-unfolding puzzle painstakingly assembled by a crew of master craftsmen.”
  
  http://www.spacecityrock.com/2010/11/03/ketch-harbour-wolves-anachronisms/

• Ketch Harbour Wolves - "Anachronisms" review [+ Show ]
  

  “Sometimes we can find the words necessary to say what we really mean while other times our tongues ...“Sometimes we can find the words necessary to say what we really mean while other times our tongues are dry. But it is at all times, at our highest highs and lowest lows, that we thirst for that feeling of freedom that takes on our bodies when we collide with a song. It is very rare to find an entire album that manages to evoke such a thing but Anachronisms by Ketch Harbour Wolves does exactly that.”

• Ketch Harbour Wolves - "Anachronisms" review [+ Show ]
  

  “I can say, without any kind of hyperbole, that Anachronisms is everything I could've hoped for and ...“I can say, without any kind of hyperbole, that Anachronisms is everything I could've hoped for and then some. Not only do Ketch Harbour Wolves capture everything that made Dead Calm Horizon special, they go even further and show that they're capable of much, much more […] in Anachronisms, Ketch Harbour Wolves have created one of the best albums of the year.”
  
  http://www.iheartmusic.net/serendipity/index.php?/archives/1911-This-weeks-feature-Ketch-Harbour-Wolves.html#comments

• Ketch Harbour Wolves - "Anachronisms" review [+ Show ]
  

  " "Breakdown" is a hypnotic piece with scant instrumentation; Brian Urbanik's drumming and Tyrrell's..." "Breakdown" is a hypnotic piece with scant instrumentation; Brian Urbanik's drumming and Tyrrell's strong voice leading it from start to finish. "Bonfire of the Vanities" is about as upbeat as Anachronisms gets, and that's fine. Ketch Harbour Wolves have a way of keeping things mellow, but interesting, with dancing guitar lines ("Body Without Organs"), angelic vocals ("Translation") and enough intrigue to keep hitting repeat."
  
  http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/PopAndRock/Ketch_Harbour_Wolves-Anachronisms

• #1 ALBUM of 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  "It says something about the modern music industry when the best album of the year is being given aw..."It says something about the modern music industry when the best album of the year is being given away for free by a band that doesn't even have a label. ... Dead Calm Horizon blends together stunning lyrics delivered by a great lead singer, backed by amazingly engaging, unforgettable music."
  
  http://www.iheartmusic.net/serendipity/index.php?/archives/1407-Best-albums-of-2008,-Pt.-I.html

• #1 ALBUM of 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  "Best surprise of 2008 ... I kind of feel like this is the album that Fleet Foxes would've made if t..."Best surprise of 2008 ... I kind of feel like this is the album that Fleet Foxes would've made if they had to deal with all the snow in SW Ontario"
  
  http://londononburgeoningmetropolis.blogspot.com/2008/12/best-albums-of-08-part-deux.html

• #1 EP of 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  "Tyrell's somber vocals are still weary, but it's not from being lost in a sea of people. It's more ..."Tyrell's somber vocals are still weary, but it's not from being lost in a sea of people. It's more like being lost at sea, battered by waves and a loneliness and intensity that grows more heightened with every second that passes, leaving you to wonder how you can make it out alive."
  
  http://www.herohill.com/2008/12/best-of-2008-top-10-canadian-eps.htm

• Review of 'Dead Calm Horizon' [+ Show ]
  

  "With The National garnering so much praise these days, it was only a matter of time before a simila..."With The National garnering so much praise these days, it was only a matter of time before a similar sounding Canadian act got noticed.
  
  Ketch Harbour Wolves, a Toronto-based five-piece with roots in Nova Scotia (their band is named after a small East Coast town) have forged the perfect mix of brooding passion, infectious melodies and rich, layered instrumentation.
  
  While it’s not perfect — a couple tunes are a bit sluggish — it’s definitely a promising debut. Two standouts, Letters and Animals, should take this band far enough until they release their likely stellar sophomore effort."
  
  http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/entertainment/article/163751

• Review of 'Dead Calm Horizon' [+ Show ]
  

  "...Dead Calm Horizon is a gorgeously gloomy affair, striking a sweet spot squarely between The Nati..."...Dead Calm Horizon is a gorgeously gloomy affair, striking a sweet spot squarely between The National and Interpol. Frontman Jonathan Tyrrell has a rich baritone that he uses to awesome effect on songs like "So Long To The Ground" and "Gold", and he's backed by melodies that are heartbreakingly beautiful. I'm sure I've also said this before, but you could pick a song at random from Dead Calm Horizon, and you'd be guaranteed of picking something great.
  
  ...From start to finish, top to bottom, it's one of the most perfect albums to come out this year."
  
  www.iheartmusic.net

• Review of 'Dead Calm Horizon' [+ Show ]
  

  It's easy to imagine the dark, brooding sounds of bands like Interpol and The National being fostere...It's easy to imagine the dark, brooding sounds of bands like Interpol and The National being fostered in the the burrows of New York city. The energy that pulses through the city transfers easily into the undercurrents of the songs. The misery, solitude and doubt that hides in the dark corners of NYC are contrasted by the heightened highs of the city that never sleeps, and replicated in song by the seismic, rapid fire percussion and ragged, intensity both bands produce.
  
  But when you look at a band coming from Canada, that static electricity of a metropolis isn't as evident. Even in our biggest city - Toronto (where the KHW now call home) - relies on two subways lines and hours of commuter traffic to survive. The pace of the people slows and unlike being swallowed into an unending crowd, you are often alienated by the vast sprawling emptiness of the city.
  
  So even though there are stylistic similarities with those other terrific bands, given their coastal ties, it's not that surprising that Ketch Harbour Wolves write songs that seem more expansive. Tyrell's sombre vocals are still weary, but it's not from being lost in a sea of people. It's more like being lost at sea, battered by waves and a loneliness and intensity that grows more heightened with every second as you wonder how you can make it out alive.
  
  But somehow, the band makes you feel like you can. The falsetto and cymbal crashes of Gold refuses to let you give up. Sooner or later, you'll sea the horizon and make it home again. The piano that fills out the beautiful tender delivery on Animals pulls you close. Sometimes a band starts to not only speak to you, but speak for you and as more people start listening to KHW, the more fans will start singing along. On first listen, the songs drifted by, but with every listen since, the emotions they deliver on this EP is more and more in tune with mine. Easily one of the best Canadian EPs of the year.

• Review of 'Dead Calm Horizon' [+ Show ]
  

  "Moody while being unmistakably hopeful, this act has some serious musical chops." www.lucidforge..."Moody while being unmistakably hopeful, this act has some serious musical chops."
  
  www.lucidforge.com

• NXNE 2008 Show review [+ Show ]
  

  "At fests like this, I never waste my time, so I walked up through Chinatown to Rancho Relaxo for Ke..."At fests like this, I never waste my time, so I walked up through Chinatown to Rancho Relaxo for Ketch Harbour Wolves, a band that is onto something very intense -- and very special. The venue was a step away from being a sauna, but the set was brilliant. Despite the late hour, I was able to stay on my feet until the last song. They ended a very impressive night of music from some of the best up and coming bands in Canada. I decided not to walk back to Queen St. for These New Puritans -- it was late and really, what if they couldn't match up?"

• NXNE 2008 Show review 2 [+ Show ]
  

  "Delicate drumming laid a backdrop to morose, reverb-tinged arpeggios and light flourishes of intros..."Delicate drumming laid a backdrop to morose, reverb-tinged arpeggios and light flourishes of introspective keyboards as lead singer Jonathan Tyrrell soberly crooned about tired eyes and broken hearts. The result was a harrowing sonic landscape akin to a desolate, snowy forest. It’s a wonder how this music compelled ladies to shake their asses. Yet, somehow, it did and that’s how you know you’ve struck gold."

• Review of 'December' [+ Show ]
  

  "...a darkly elegant collection of songs reminiscent of The National, though perhaps not quite so w... "...a darkly elegant collection of songs reminiscent of The National, though perhaps not quite so world-worn or on the wrong side of last call. Tastefully appointed with strings, horns and stately piano but with a unmistakably rock core, 'December' reaches for understated theatricality while sidestepping melodrama and achieves something a little short of greatness but still pretty impressive."

Setlist

A typical set list includes;

Words,
Body Without Organs,
August 12,
Translation,
Animals,
Midnight Dark Water,
Gold,
Bonfire of The Vanities,
Damascus,

An average set length would be 1.0 hour, but can be shortened or lengthened as appropriate.

We play all originals.

Basic Requirements

Calendar