The Fox and the Moon

This trio is representin' the folkier side of things. The group met in school at Recording Arts Canada, where they found their singing and songwriting talents to be perfectly complimentary. They are new to the Toronto scene, but their polished sound has gained them headlining slots galore. In less than a year, they've appeared at Lee's Palace, Cherry Cola's, Rivoli, The Central, The Cameron House, and played for the Folk Music Ontario Conference. Keep an eye on these folks, they are just getting started. - BlogTO

Recorded live off the floor at a cottage in Quebec, the debut EP from Toronto trio The Fox and the Moon sounds just like it is supposed to – a jam session amongst friends taking place tucked away in the country. In a burst of creativity, the four song, self-titled EP has a trail of eagerness that runs throughout, making the output from Kim Wexler, Chris Blachford, and Stella Green, all the more enjoyable.

In a simple and minimalistic folk sound comprised of two guitars and a mandolin, this set up of course could have a lot to do with the style it was recorded in, it is the three part vocal harmonies of the band that are really something. When a band can come together live and blend their voices, with seemingly ease, like The Fox and the Moon does, you know that you are on to something special.

The opener, “Oh, My Love” eases you into the strengths of the band. Lead vocalist Kim Wexler’s powerful voice in particular immediately grabs your attention in this simple folk tune. Although Wexler’s voice is a strong point throughout, it is in the quieter songs like “Oh, My Love” and the third song “Compass,” where it is really able to make an impact. In the latter song, there is nothing flashy about its deliverance but the talented spark rooted in the singing of Wexler is clear.

For the most powerful display of the band’s collective prowess, “Never Over” is the standout of the EP. Beginning softly at first, it is Blachford who takes centre-stage early in the song as he eventually builds up to a passionate howl of “sometimes I wish that I could show you!” From here, “Never Over” continually transitions between a slower chorus in which Green comes in for the subtle yet sweet harmonizing with Wexler, the single verse with Blachford’s howls, and a melodious pre-chorus that is really able to push the song over to greatness.

Kicking-up the EP’s pace in the final song, “Lady Mercy” injects a little blues into The Fox and the Moon’s outing, possessing the raw frame of a song that could be an energetic force when fully flushed out.

Tap into the raw talents of The Fox and the Moon. This owl approves.

Top Tracks: “Never Over”

Rating: Strong Hoot (Good) - Grayowl Point

Soup is an interesting dish. It can mean so many different things to different people. Soup can have almost any number of ingredients, from just two or three up to dozens. Similarly, a song can be very simple or very complex, and even the same exact song can mean something different to each person who hears it. Where is this soup-based rant headed, you ask? Well, the daily album today comes from a group who understands the importance and value of a good bowl of the hot stuff.
The Fox and the Moon is Kim Wexler, Chris Blachford, and Stella Green, and according to their Facebook page, they make a pretty mean soup. In addition to being in a band, of course. There’s significantly more to this story, but I’ll leave that up to them. The trio has only been together for a short bit, but they have a chemistry that seems as though they’ve been together for far longer. Check out the pretty legit cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon” below.



Not bad for (what comes off as) a fairly impromptu recording — nice harmonies, and the mandolin certainly adds a distinct character to the recording. Having played some gigs and made a few videos, the trio just debuted their first release, a self-titled EP.
The Fox and the Moon EP is only four tracks long, but serves more as a teaser, a glimpse into the potential future of this charismatic group. Things get started with “Oh, My Love”, a simple tune that blends lyrics, harmony and instrumentation seamlessly. Like much of the album, this track has a home-made feel to it, due in small part to the somewhat funky mixing and in large part to the fact that it was recorded live on the floor of a cottage in Quebec. So, there’s that. But it gives the music a very personal touch, and actually highlights this group’s ability to perform outside of the studio.
“Never Over” plays with dynamics, timing, and space as it challenges the listener with four and a half minutes of complexity. It’s a dense track that runs through quite a few emotions in its effort to explain its side of the story, and it’s not until the fourth or fifth listen through that you really start to catch everything that’s going on. “Compass” follows, and while it features lyrics that are based largely in metaphor, it’s still a bit more straight forward than “Never Over”. The harmonies are fantastic on this track, and the instrumentation gives things a nautical feel that fits well with the imagery portrayed by the lyrics.
“Lady Mercy” really moves. And then drags to a halt. And back again. Another track that really manipulates the speed of things to highlight the poignant parts of the piece. And it was on this track that I realized I hadn’t heard one drum beat, from start to finish. These three manage to keep time amazingly well, and the strumming and pick work drives the music without a kick or snare to be found. “Lady Mercy” is a great track to end with — a cross between “Sound of Silence” and something out of O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Hopefully this talented trio finds enough support in this EP to warrant some more musical adventures. Two guitars, a mandolin, and harmonious folk poetry, inspired by love, loss, and Lady Mercy. Name your price for this fantastic four track EP at Bandcamp below. - The Daily Album

The Fox and the Moon stepped in last minute to play a show at the Cameron House earlier this month after the scheduled act had to pull out due to illness. The trio, made up of two acoustic guitars (Chris Blachford and Kim Wexler), a mandolin (Stella Green) and wonderful harmonies mesmerized the audience from their first song and held them captive until the end of their set.

The music has a beautiful simplicity and yet the harmonies, one of the most delightful aspects of this group, take the music to a different level. The cozy vibe of the Cameron House suits their sound so well and added to the ambiance of the set.

If you like groups like Trent Severn and Chic Gamine, you’ll love The Fox and the Moon. Only after their set did we learn it was only their third show together as a band; this was amazing to me. You would have thought they’ve been playing together for years, both because of their seeming ease of performance of their original material, but also their stage presence and camaraderie.

Since the band is still very new, they don’t have much published online yet, but if you get a chance to see them live, do it! They will enchant and entertain you from the first note to the last. - Forget The Box