Boreal Sons
Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2009 | SELF
Music
Press
Piano driven band Boreal Sons are a band that blew my mind this year with their EP,Bedtime Briar. Centred around the warm vocals of lead singer Evan Acheson, Boreal Sons take us on a journey through the inner workings of a dog’s dream for a stunning creative opus. - Gray Owl Point
Boreal Sons’ anthemic piano-pop combines melodic ballads with ambitious and classically influenced interludes. This is best exemplified by ”iii. Stop”. The song is initially straightforward yet soaring and addictive; it’s a well-executed piece of piano-pop that set ups for a more intricate conclusion. The vocals, contained only in the beginning section, have a delivery akin to Rufus Wainwright and Muse’s Matthew Bellamy, with a dramatic quiver and expressive ability to alternate between spine-tingling range and ballad-friendly nonchalance. The track evolves from a soaring and dramatic accessible blend of bass, drum, and pianos into a percussion-less journey of ambiance and suitable sound effects, led by only pianos and drums. The twists and turns the track closes with are expressive of their classical influences. They call their sound “piano-led art-rock”. That one’s good, too. Either way, this is some striking stuff from the Calgary-based trio. - Obscure Sound
Boreal Sons’ anthemic piano-pop combines melodic ballads with ambitious and classically influenced interludes. This is best exemplified by ”iii. Stop”. The song is initially straightforward yet soaring and addictive; it’s a well-executed piece of piano-pop that set ups for a more intricate conclusion. The vocals, contained only in the beginning section, have a delivery akin to Rufus Wainwright and Muse’s Matthew Bellamy, with a dramatic quiver and expressive ability to alternate between spine-tingling range and ballad-friendly nonchalance. The track evolves from a soaring and dramatic accessible blend of bass, drum, and pianos into a percussion-less journey of ambiance and suitable sound effects, led by only pianos and drums. The twists and turns the track closes with are expressive of their classical influences. They call their sound “piano-led art-rock”. That one’s good, too. Either way, this is some striking stuff from the Calgary-based trio. - Obscure Sound
“Boreal Sons just made it cool to sing in a perfectly centered middle range with flawless ability and to get baroque on that thang!, holding notes till they quiver, constant flawless vocal control, deliberate musical arrangements, perfectly produced but not over produced recordings, and simple gripping lyrics. Where did these guys come from? Calgary? Why isn’t this on Domino records or something? Gorgeous. I’m hollering at these guys right now. Stay tuned for an Edmonton show, hopefully.” - Argue Job
“Boreal Sons just made it cool to sing in a perfectly centered middle range with flawless ability and to get baroque on that thang!, holding notes till they quiver, constant flawless vocal control, deliberate musical arrangements, perfectly produced but not over produced recordings, and simple gripping lyrics. Where did these guys come from? Calgary? Why isn’t this on Domino records or something? Gorgeous. I’m hollering at these guys right now. Stay tuned for an Edmonton show, hopefully.” - Argue Job
With the baroque voice of a wingless angel, Evan Wesley Acheson sings worshipful songs over opalescent piano and guitar twinklings. His voice truly is the flagstone of Boreal Sons but it does not stand alone. The musical composition brings to mind a stripped down Midlake or Andrew Bird: gracefully traditional, expertly produced and the subject matter—poetically mature—reveals the band's passion for distilled truth with gold threads like "You have stifled grief with jealousy / Sifting iron breath through ivory teeth." or "You, my cartographer / Mapped every line on these hands." A debut this focused is rarely achieved. - Vue Weekly
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Boreal Sons started strong, honing their live performances into masterful displays of musicality and deliberately crafting their debut so as to eradicate any notion that the band was still young and forming. Vocalist/pianist Evan Acheson used to steal cassette tapes from his father, obsessing over classical compositions until circumstances allowed him to learn the piano. Before long, Acheson was writing his own music and he requested that three of his closest friends collaborate with him to create something beautiful and new. The quartet practiced in bassist Reagan Cole McLeans living room, each of the four members shifting their focus from classical pursuits to a more contemporary sound. Boreal Sons werent officially formed until 2009 but their first EP, 2010s Whom Thunder Hath Made Greater, was the product of several years writing and practice. The following year, Boreal Sons poured themselves into Bedtime Briar, a concept album based on the sleeping habits of McLeans dog. Drummer Zach Schultzs production and engineering lent a wistful flow to the albums sound while extensive overdubs and studio experiments pushed the Sons imaginative compositions into new magnitudes. 2011-12 saw Boreal Sons increase their live schedule as well, playing shows across Western Canada as often as their busy schedules would allow.
Their first full length album, Threadbare, holds fast to the Sons delightful panorama, at times overwhelming in its grandeur, at times captivating in its intimacy. The music has grown alongside the four men behind it; the title evokes a weary vulnerability but never confirms whether it was borne of love or abuse. As an adjective, polished fails magnificently to capture the arresting wholeness of Threadbare. Boreal Sons worked with producer Jonathan Anderson, taking full advantage of his expertise and using his advice to help perfect their songwriting. Whereas their earlier music told stories, complex narrative fictions meant to excite the imagination, Threadbares lyrics look inwards, desperately searching for respite from the overwhelming pressures that come with adulthood. Achesons tales here are more personal, his voice now wholly intertwined with the songs subject matter. Guitarist Logan Gaberts contributions helped shape Boreal Sons new sonic footprint, allowing Schultz, McLean, and Acheson to create songs better suited to live performance than their previous projects. Threadbare also features guest instrumentation by Julia Wakal and Hannah Epperson. This latest effort overflows with ingenuity and integrity, harboring at once elation and dread but never once losing faith.
Band Members
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