GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS

tony dekker by adrian fish

Toronto based quintet, Great Lake Swimmers, make their American label home at Misra Records, which will thankfully release, stateside, the band's 2003 self-titled debut. A for-the-most-part unknown Canadian outfit, they have drawn some lofty praise from the press:

"Beautiful bittersweet, drifting, late summer melancholia" **** Mojo

"Dekker squares the circle between Nick Drake, early Neil Young and Will Oldham" **** Uncut

Led by singer/songwriter, Tony Dekker, whose melancholy vocals seemingly float above the music, Great Lake Swimmers are a rustic, pioneer orchestra drifting across a wilderness lake, with Dekker's vocal the devoted missionary sent forth to gather in those that have lost touch or faith in the Holy Trinity mentioned above by Uncut magazine.

Sounding like a rural choirboy who has grown up and out of boyhood and into a neighbourhood of ethereal folk, inhabiting a country of alternative flavours -- Dekker describes the band this way:
"We are basically a quiet, alt–country flavored, independent band who play thoughtful, shaky folk music,” says Dekker. “Come and see us if you’d like to have a quiet night out.” -- From this article by Michelle Lobkowicz.

Their most recent work, 2005's Bodies and Minds, is out now in Canada and will swim onto US shelves in August.

I can't believe this, but... I put this post up about 5 and a half hours ago without any mp3s!! Here they are (thanks to caley for reminding me in the comments)...

+ Moving Pictures Silent Films
+ I Will Never See the Sun
*both from misra records

Great Lake Swimmers
Misra Records
weework records
fargo records (EU)