Waif & the Spade

Formed in the summer of 2009 in remote Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Waif and the Spade has risen quickly to become a premier indie/rock experience of the area. The music itself is a unique mix of influences, mostly derived from singer/guitarist Andrew’s musical background as a founding member of THE END (Relapse Records, Distort Entertainment) combined with fellow bandmembers Laura, Scott, Eric and Aaron most of whom played together in a classic/jam/funk outfit known as the Disco Rockin’ Llamas. Their more traditional approach to music has taken the intricate and frayed songs and added a finely polished sheen. Guttural yet refined, brutal yet delicate.

In early 2010 the band released its first offering a self-titled EP, which was quickly hailed by the local community as quite a departure from the usual . Although names such as the Cure, Karate, David Bowie, the Faint and Nick Cave may be heard as influences the music varies from nine minute atmoshperic soundscapes, to short and sweet jazzy pop tunes, to rock out punk tunes and spoken word pieces that read like effigies, all of which seem to have a very natural place in amongst a band who’s clearly not afraid of experimentation and discovery.

Since the EP release the band has played regular shows, honing their sound, presence and rapport. Now on the verge of recording their second release, the young, but already influential band are easily poised to reach outwards to the rest of the Canadian indie/rock music scene. With what will likely be a continuation of their current successs.