Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
This band has no press
Discography
"Songs We Can Agree On", TBR February 2009
Streaming appearances of some material including "A Glass Or Two" on indieloveradio.com
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Fighting his way out of the depths of a procrastination binge, songwriter Joshua Penslar booked a show at Toronto's legendary El Mocambo and then hastily assembled a band to play it, using a combination of connections, coercion and Craigslist. The band endures to this day.
The Dufraines aim to be pretty without being sentimental, laying dramatic instrumentation and lush harmonies over material that ranges from darkly psychological (Terese) to heartbreaking (Ghost) just plain silly (Jesus Stole My Woman). Penslar writes music with a dedication to honesty and occasionally a wicked wit, drawing inspiration from folk music (American and European) as well as a pantheon of favourite songwriters like Paul Simon, Jeff Magnum, Sufjan Stevens, A.C. Newman, Regina Spektor, John K. Sampson, and Ben Gibbard.
What sets them apart? Semi-orchestral arrangements with cello, violin and trumpet make possible some kinds of sound you don't expect from an indie folk act, and a repeat listener will be wowed by the level of attention to detail in the songwriting.
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