Hinindar

Hinindar, a local folk-rock band, took the stage for its CD debut, with Toronto’s Kite Hill opening and Bocce closing the show. The cozy venue was packed with fans on Mar. 31 and Hinindar delivered a worthy show.

...Hinindar played next and worked through the EP’s song list in progression, beginning with the CD’s title song, “Absalom.” Steve Sloane, the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist, moved effortlessly through the album’s blend of quiet whispers and loud calls. Steph Yates complemented Sloane’s skilled guitar playing with hollowly-sweet back-up vocals and Jeff Woods completed the band’s sound with all of the other instruments.

Hinindar’s sound is a fusion of folk, country and bluesy guitar, with complex, unyielding lyrics that hint of isolation and loss. The sound is a sort of post-modern folk that relies heavily on old country, but blends electric guitar, keyboard and xylophone for a uniquely haunting, modern tone.

The band’s performance was polished and Sloane’s vocals seamlessly flowed from quiet, breathy tones into howling crescendos. “Hard Love II,” the third song in the set, was especially well done; perfectly balancing the band’s fusion of quiet and loud, with strong lyrics that sent the listener into thoughtful reflection. But the strongest song of the set was the last song, “Sheila,” in which Sloane’s vocals perfectly embodied the song’s sense of discontent and longing.

In previous shows Hinindar’s stage presence has been light and cheerful, with the members throwing in the occasional subtle joke to appease the crowd; yet Hinindar’s interaction with the crowd last Saturday was limited and rather staid. Despite the band’s generally solemn manner, Sloane did get a few chuckles and graciously thanked the album’s contributors between songs.

...Hinindar’s first CD shows an unusually high level of sophistication and complexity that passes the test of multiple listens, and the band’s live performance delivers the album’s layers and quality. Absalom might just be the push that Hinindar needs to shift from hometown gem to the big stage. - The Cord

Hinindar, a local folk-rock band, took the stage for its CD debut, with Toronto’s Kite Hill opening and Bocce closing the show. The cozy venue was packed with fans on Mar. 31 and Hinindar delivered a worthy show.

...Hinindar played next and worked through the EP’s song list in progression, beginning with the CD’s title song, “Absalom.” Steve Sloane, the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist, moved effortlessly through the album’s blend of quiet whispers and loud calls. Steph Yates complemented Sloane’s skilled guitar playing with hollowly-sweet back-up vocals and Jeff Woods completed the band’s sound with all of the other instruments.

Hinindar’s sound is a fusion of folk, country and bluesy guitar, with complex, unyielding lyrics that hint of isolation and loss. The sound is a sort of post-modern folk that relies heavily on old country, but blends electric guitar, keyboard and xylophone for a uniquely haunting, modern tone.

The band’s performance was polished and Sloane’s vocals seamlessly flowed from quiet, breathy tones into howling crescendos. “Hard Love II,” the third song in the set, was especially well done; perfectly balancing the band’s fusion of quiet and loud, with strong lyrics that sent the listener into thoughtful reflection. But the strongest song of the set was the last song, “Sheila,” in which Sloane’s vocals perfectly embodied the song’s sense of discontent and longing.

In previous shows Hinindar’s stage presence has been light and cheerful, with the members throwing in the occasional subtle joke to appease the crowd; yet Hinindar’s interaction with the crowd last Saturday was limited and rather staid. Despite the band’s generally solemn manner, Sloane did get a few chuckles and graciously thanked the album’s contributors between songs.

...Hinindar’s first CD shows an unusually high level of sophistication and complexity that passes the test of multiple listens, and the band’s live performance delivers the album’s layers and quality. Absalom might just be the push that Hinindar needs to shift from hometown gem to the big stage. - The Cord

The Do-It-Yourself (D.I.Y.) ethic that has become the norm among Ontario-based independent musicians was highly visible at the Brass Taps last Wednesday, March 23. Four local acts including Ruby Randall & Sarah Clark, Hinindar, Richard Laviolette and Your Neck of the Woods made up the bill for a benefit show in support of Guelph’s Wyndham House. Each group dedicated their time and music free of charge in order to help raise money, a notable example of the aforementioned ethic. The Brass Taps was host to about two hundred attendees, some of which were loyal fans, while others were there to help support the cause... Kitchener-native Hinindar offered up acoustic versions of his own material. With a more modern singer-songwriter approach when compared with Laviolette, he alternated between acoustic and electric-guitar based sets, complete with his own comedic banter to help get through those awkward ‘tuning-my-guitar’ silences that can’t be avoided.

- The Ontarion

The Do-It-Yourself (D.I.Y.) ethic that has become the norm among Ontario-based independent musicians was highly visible at the Brass Taps last Wednesday, March 23. Four local acts including Ruby Randall & Sarah Clark, Hinindar, Richard Laviolette and Your Neck of the Woods made up the bill for a benefit show in support of Guelph’s Wyndham House. Each group dedicated their time and music free of charge in order to help raise money, a notable example of the aforementioned ethic. The Brass Taps was host to about two hundred attendees, some of which were loyal fans, while others were there to help support the cause... Kitchener-native Hinindar offered up acoustic versions of his own material. With a more modern singer-songwriter approach when compared with Laviolette, he alternated between acoustic and electric-guitar based sets, complete with his own comedic banter to help get through those awkward ‘tuning-my-guitar’ silences that can’t be avoided.

- The Ontarion

Van Gogh’s Ear was set alive Jan. 26 as the fourth annual Off The Floor festival busted out another amazing year of Canadian indie music. The local festival, presented by Eleven, brings an impressive line-up of regional up-and-coming indie rock and pop bands to Guelph for a night of amazing bands and great people... The evening began with the intimate, indie style of Toronto’s Hinindar, a three piece band that gave emphasis to an ambient melody with folk driven under tones. - The Ontarion

Van Gogh’s Ear was set alive Jan. 26 as the fourth annual Off The Floor festival busted out another amazing year of Canadian indie music. The local festival, presented by Eleven, brings an impressive line-up of regional up-and-coming indie rock and pop bands to Guelph for a night of amazing bands and great people... The evening began with the intimate, indie style of Toronto’s Hinindar, a three piece band that gave emphasis to an ambient melody with folk driven under tones. - The Ontarion

Hinindar, a relatively unknown but highly talented Waterlooan... started off the night wonderfully, setting a relaxed pace for the rest of the acts. Unlike most acoustic artists, Hinindar had a delightful range of personalities with his guitar that both impressed and awed the audience... His performance was nearly flawless, thanks to his self-described perfectionism.The songs were wonderful, his pieces were defined by expression and passion, and his voice was clear and unique with a hint of coarseness. - The Imprint

Hinindar, a relatively unknown but highly talented Waterlooan... started off the night wonderfully, setting a relaxed pace for the rest of the acts. Unlike most acoustic artists, Hinindar had a delightful range of personalities with his guitar that both impressed and awed the audience... His performance was nearly flawless, thanks to his self-described perfectionism.The songs were wonderful, his pieces were defined by expression and passion, and his voice was clear and unique with a hint of coarseness. - The Imprint

The dark folk ambiance of Hinindar is recognizable across many of their tracks almost instantaneously after not so long which we felt had to be appreciated in person, so when we heard they were getting around to tour again, this time with the young, more pop folk sounding Julianna Riolino and her band, we ensured ourselves of getting on it fast! - Velvet Rope

The dark folk ambiance of Hinindar is recognizable across many of their tracks almost instantaneously after not so long which we felt had to be appreciated in person, so when we heard they were getting around to tour again, this time with the young, more pop folk sounding Julianna Riolino and her band, we ensured ourselves of getting on it fast! - Velvet Rope

Hinindar is great music for introspection … it is anti-rock. No rock-n-roll going-through-the-motions. This music shines even in its own shrouded darkness. If you are spending time making out with a lover, put Hinindar on your damn cell phone and have at it! - Velvet Rope

Hinindar is great music for introspection … it is anti-rock. No rock-n-roll going-through-the-motions. This music shines even in its own shrouded darkness. If you are spending time making out with a lover, put Hinindar on your damn cell phone and have at it! - Velvet Rope

Never have I been so intrigued by a band whose name I had no idea of the meaning of. But maybe that’s what makes them so intriguing in the first place. In any case, Waterloo folk duo Hinindar bring a remarkably haunting and dark quality to their latest EP, Absalom, showing that they are a lot more than an interesting name.

With an extensive back catalogue of demos and a record called Daily Working that features a whopping twenty-five songs, the album is available for free through Bandcamp, Hinindar is a creative force worthy of attention.

Though most of Absalom’s songs are technically not that long, five out of the six are under four minutes, they have a weight about them that make them feel much longer than they actually are. With only two verses, “Hard Love II” embodies the fullness the band is able to create despite the time of the song. With the slight touch of a banjo and additional vocals from Steph Yates, “Hard Love II” is an emotionally guitar based song but it’s the haunting guitar wails that adds another dimension.

The title track is the folkiest, most stripped down, song from the EP. Quiet and tender, “Absalom” is an unassuming love song, a beautiful way to start off the EP. The song that follows, “Come in Alive,” has a similar emotional touch and with the rich vocals of lead singer Steve Sloane at the helm, Sloane shows that he can do both the whisper-like vocals and thunderous outcries commendably.

The EP ends on another melancholic note with “The Word.” A bluesier song to the rest of Absalom, Hinindar stretch their talents as a band even further in this one, beginning as a simple combination of guitar and singer and growing to one of the completer sounding songs, “The Word” marks the end of another great notch in Hinindar’s collection. - Gray Owl Point

Never have I been so intrigued by a band whose name I had no idea of the meaning of. But maybe that’s what makes them so intriguing in the first place. In any case, Waterloo folk duo Hinindar bring a remarkably haunting and dark quality to their latest EP, Absalom, showing that they are a lot more than an interesting name.

With an extensive back catalogue of demos and a record called Daily Working that features a whopping twenty-five songs, the album is available for free through Bandcamp, Hinindar is a creative force worthy of attention.

Though most of Absalom’s songs are technically not that long, five out of the six are under four minutes, they have a weight about them that make them feel much longer than they actually are. With only two verses, “Hard Love II” embodies the fullness the band is able to create despite the time of the song. With the slight touch of a banjo and additional vocals from Steph Yates, “Hard Love II” is an emotionally guitar based song but it’s the haunting guitar wails that adds another dimension.

The title track is the folkiest, most stripped down, song from the EP. Quiet and tender, “Absalom” is an unassuming love song, a beautiful way to start off the EP. The song that follows, “Come in Alive,” has a similar emotional touch and with the rich vocals of lead singer Steve Sloane at the helm, Sloane shows that he can do both the whisper-like vocals and thunderous outcries commendably.

The EP ends on another melancholic note with “The Word.” A bluesier song to the rest of Absalom, Hinindar stretch their talents as a band even further in this one, beginning as a simple combination of guitar and singer and growing to one of the completer sounding songs, “The Word” marks the end of another great notch in Hinindar’s collection. - Gray Owl Point