Mountain Of Wolves
London, Ontario, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2014
Music
Press
By Nicole Borland
This past Saturday night, London indie rock ensemble Mountain of Wolves gave one seriously captivating show to one seriously sold-out crowd. Upon entering the busiest, most anxiety-inducing version of the Aeolian Hall I’ve ever seen, I knew every single person there was in for an intimate and immersive performance… and I was entirely spot-on.
With a crowd of roughly 300, MOW’s first vinyl release show was a true success that included a whole lot of cheering, dancing, and general festivities that one should hope such an occasion would entail. As well, Taylor Holden, the night’s delightfully folk inspired, “quirky pop” opener, certainly warmed that crowd up with adorable anthems and catchy tunes that still haven’t quite left this head of mine. Wordiness aside, the artistic mix was perfection, and everyone loved it.
So, why was the Aeolian the choice of choices this night? The band told me the acoustics first and foremost. They continued, “we have a whole section of our show specifically stripped down to take advantage of the great acoustics the Aeolian Hall provides.”
Well, with an eight-piece line up that includes an accordion, a violin, a banjo, a trumpet and all the other rock and roll trappings we know and love, acoustics couldn’t be more important.
MOW has had a solid following for a few years now, so they made sure to expertly mix the old and the new in order to engage everyone. The biggest surprise of the night, however, was the debut of several previously unheard songs, which literally got people up out of their seats and dancing at the front of the stage. So yeah, I’d classify that as awesome.
The band hasn’t released anything in two years, so the excitement of new material; the fact that it was a two-track, 7” vinyl release (including new numbers “Never Coming Home” and “Deep Dark Woods”), and the opportunity to headline at Aeolian Hall definitely translated into a positively energetic and enthralling show. Most would agree that each and every attendee was lucky to experience it.
The night ended with a very emphatic encore, which turned into three more songs that the audience gobbled up before asking for more. I’m pretty sure this confirms a bright future for these talented Londoners and we can only wait and see how MOW dazzles the masses next. If you missed the show, don’t let that happen again because I can assure you, it’s a decision you might just regret.
Here’s a video from the night: - London Groove Machine
Once a month or so, I find myself listening to Mountain of Wolves 2014 debut record – Buried in the Morning.
For a debut the record is ambitious and accomplished and straddles the line between artists like Corb Lund, The Avett Brothers, and The Pogues. It’s so atmospheric, there are moments you can almost hear the horses nicker and smell the wood smoke.
The London, Ontario folk rockers are led by a talented pair of songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Mark Kulmala and Richard Gracious, and play live as a five piece rounded out by bassist Michael Middleton, keyboardist Will O’Donnell and drummer Brent Hebert.
They are back with a limited release of two standout tracks – the Gracious penned ode to the road – Never Coming Home – a jaunty Spirit of the West romp, and Kulmala’s Deep Dark Woods, a spirit cousin of The Lumunieers Stubborn Love.
Based on the strength of, well pretty much everything they’ve released, I think big things are in store for Mountain of Wolves. - 50 Third and 3rd
London folk-country band Mountain Of Wolves warms up for its vinyl release show with a video showcasing Mirror, a tune that is not on either side of the seven-incher.
“This is not recorded anywhere — this is exclusive,” said MoW keyboardist Will O’Donnell, a Lucas secondary school and Western Don Wright music faculty grad.
Mirror is a song by Mountain Of Wolves’ singer-guitarist-songwriter Mark Kulmala. Its excellence helps announce the arrival of the seven-incher at an Aeolian Hall concert on March 26.
“A (taste) of what’s to come,” drummer Brent Hebert said.
“The future,” added O’Donnell.
Released on purple vinyl, the recording has two songs — Deep Dark Woods, written by Fanshawe MIA grad Kulmala, and Never Coming Home, written by fellow singer-guitarist-songwriter Richard Gracious, a former Central, Saunders and Fanshawe student.
Kulmala, Gracious, drummer and CCH grad Hebert and bassist Michael Middleton, who studied film at Fanshawe, were all in an earlier band called Dark Folk. Mountain Of Wolves has been their collective focus for two years or more. The band released an album Buried In The Morning in 2014 and is now following up.
“Not only are we releasing two of our very favourite songs, we have commissioned a limited run of 300 collector’s edition vinyl 45s, and they’re bright purple,” the band says on Facebook.
Just as Mirror creates buzz for the two new singles, the vinyl release helps set the stage for music by Mountain Of Wolves that is still to be heard.
“Like Motown,” Gracious said. He was looking to the iconic Detroit label for the way hit singles led to albums and packaging, recording and other details were in-house.
Mountain Of Wolves is following Motown’s in-house lead in preparations for its vinyl release, Gracious said, to keep down costs and, simply, why not?
A Wolves admirer wondered aloud which Motown band MoW most resembled.
“The Four Tops,” said some.
“The Temptations,” said others.
Based on the sharp outfits and ties sported by the Wolves for Tuesday’s video shoot at The Free Press newsroom, The Temptations won out.
Mountain Of Wolves did not look south of the border when it came to getting its self-titled vinyl release pressed.
The Londoners were happy to use Calgary’s Canada Boy Vinyl, which recently opened as the country’s only vinyl pressing plant.
JReaney@postmedia.com
Twitter @JamesatLFPress
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IF YOU GO
What: Vinyl release show for London band Mountain Of Wolves.
Also on the bill: Taylor Holden.
When: March 26, doors, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Aeolian Hall, 795 Dundas St. (at Rectory)
Details: $10 advance, $15 at door. Visit mountainofwolves.bandcamp.com or e-mail mountainofwolvesband@gmail.com or call 519-672-7950.
That name: Mountain Of Wolves took its name from a Mark Kulmala song of the same name. - London Free Press
"Uniquely harmonious and darkly charming , Mountain of Wolves defines a genre of Dark Folk. Telling emotional tales with dapper vocals and diverse blends of nostalgic elements, from reel accordions to glory trumpets, Mountain of Wolves has us listening! Every track is a different story told, ‘Hurt Myself’ is the one to enjoy, it’s more like dark-folk-pop track with killer hooks and a bad ass passionate vocal. Stayed tuned in...Mountain of Wolves is a collective to watch!" - The Deli
"The live show is where the band truly flourishes and they said the audience can expect “a fully engaged show with highs and lows and non-illusive music because we try to be 100% truthful in everything we do.” This notion of truth is critical to the band considering when I asked them to describe their music in one word, their response was “honest.”
"...It’s apparent that their lives and personalities truly inhabit every aspect of the music for their answers—like their lyrics—aren't frivolously dressed up, they’re straight to the point and address specifically the topic at hand" - London Fuse
"There are strong literary influences and recurring themes of searching, wandering, remembering, dying, and longing. It all makes for one of the strongest country-folk releases I have come across in some time."
"The first thing I picked up on when I heard the title track of London, Ontario’s Mountain of Wolves album “Buried in the Morning” was how accomplished it sounds. This is definitely the work of seasoned artists." - 50thirdand3rd
"...it’s fair to expect a lot more music from MOW in the future, which is an exciting prospect for folk/roots fans!" - London Groove Machine
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
London, Ontario is proud to be the home of Mountain of Wolves, a soul-inspired rock & roll band who excels at engaging audiences from small-town bars to packed concert halls. Their enormous on-stage personality is mirrored by a similarly large and exhilarating sound. Mountain of Wolves’ sound is reminiscent of living rock & roll legend Jack White, with a healthy dose of 1960s soul and finished with a classic instrumentation one might find listening to The Band or The Doors.
Mountain of Wolves released their first single - Never Coming Home - at a sold out show at London's prestigious Aeolian Hall in March 2016. The following month, Never Coming Home was played on CBC as well as London’s local radio stations, and Mountain of Wolves won Made In London, a local radio competition put on by Free 98.1 radio in London. The win resulted in additional airplay on Free FM. During August 2016, Mountain of Wolves booked and completed a Canada-wide tour, playing more than 25 shows between British Columbia and P.E.I during the month. Upon returning home in September, Mountain of Wolves was booked to play the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) during the opening night party. Between frequent gigs in London, Toronto and many other Ontario cities and towns, Mountain of Wolves spent October 2016 recording a full length album at Toronto’s Phase One Studios, which is planned to be released in the first few months of 2017.
Band Members
Links
