Great Lake Swimmers Release New Album, On Tour Now

Toronto’s indie darlings Great Lake Swimmers have released their latest effort, The Waves, The Wake, today via Nettwerk. The album premiered earlier this week via The Big Takeover and was featured on Exclaim!. The JUNO nominated, Polaris Prize shortlisted band celebrate release week with an in-studio performance at CBC’s Q yesterday.

LISTEN (AND SHARE): 

Recorded in the 145-year-old Bishop Cronyn Memorial Church and produced by Chris Stringer (Union Sound), lead singer-songwriter Tony Dekker decided to challenge himself by writing new music without any acoustic guitar, which has always been his instrumental mainstay. Each song on the album is brought to life in its own distinctive way, using an acoustic palette that includes woodwinds, harp, congas, marimba and pipe organ.

WHAT THE PRESS ARE SAYING:

“The Waves, The Wake is a beautiful achievement, rife with rich and varied instrumentation and textures, engaging vocals, and bittersweet, poignant lyrics.” – Big Takeover

“The shimme that illuminate such songs as “Mouth of Flames” and “The Open Sea” are contrasted, albeit briefly, in the upbeat tick of “Alone But Not Alone” and the quiet insistence of “Side Effects,” but it’s the acapella “Visions of a Distant World” that best defines the effort overall…melodies that are both elusive and surreal.” – Paste Magazine

“Dekker renews Great Lake Swimmers’ sound while still retaining the atmospheric singing and subtle yet intricate guitar playing that are quintessential to the band. It’s a tricky balance, but Dekker and his sprawling team of contributors pull it off with aplomb.” – Exclaim!

“…magnificently beautiful orchestrations, this instrumentation flourishes thanks to the exquisite acoustics of the 145-year-old church in which the band recorded. Every sound resounds to its fullest potential, filling the building with magnificent auras….The Waves, The Wake is a vibrant display of Dekker and company challenging themselves, even after 15 years.” – Riff Magazine

“…a beautiful, hypnotic track wrapped in a rich, comforting warmth…” – CBC

“’The Talking Wind’ sees a band experimenting with orchestral sounds in a novel ways, and to significant artistic effect.” – Culture Collide

“’Alone But Not Alone’ is a breezy 60s inspired track that’s more than meets the eye” – NOISEY

A North American & European tour is on-sale now for the summer through the fall. Check out www.greatlakeswimmers.com for the latest routing including the European shows and see below for the North American dates.

The Waves, The Wake Track Listing:

1. The Talking Wind
2. In a Certain Light
3. Alone but Not Alone
4. Falling Apart
5. Side Effects
6. The Real Work
7. Root Systems
8. Unmaking the Bed
9. Visions of a Different World
10. Holding Nothing Back
11. Mouth of Flames
12. The Open Sea

 

Great Lake Swimmers North American Tour Dates:

8/21 – Gravenhurst, ON @ Peter’s Players
8/23 – Goshen, IN @ Ignition Garage in
8/24 – Friendship, IN @ Whispering Beard Folk Festival
8/25 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
9/13 – Regina, SK @ The Exchange
9/14 – Saskatoon, SK @ Broadway Theatre
9/15 – Sherwood Park, AB @ Festival Place
9/16 – Calgary, AB @ Festival Hall
9/17 – Nelson, BC @ Spirit Bar
9/20 – Victoria, BC @ Capital Ballroom
9/21 – Vancouver, BC @ Imperial
9/22 – Penticton, BC @ The Dream Café
9/24 – Red Deer, AB @ Bo’s Bar
9/26 – Winnipeg, MB @ West End Cultural Centre
9/27 – Thunder Bay, ON @ Crocks
9/29 – Sudbury, ON @ The Townhouse
10/3 – Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
10/4 – New York, NY @ The Mercury Lounge
10/5 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
10/6 – Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel
10/9 – Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle
10/10 – Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar
10/11 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House
10/12 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Café
10/13 – Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Iron Works
10/19 – Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
10/20 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern
10/21 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
10/24 – Denver, CO @ Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
10/26 – Boise, ID @ The Olympic
10/27 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
10/28 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
11/1 – San Francisco, CA @ The Swedish American Hall
11/2 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst Atrium
11/3 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
11/6 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
11/7 – Santa Fe, NM @ Rufina Taproom
11/9 – Kansas City, MO @ Knuckleheads
11/10 – St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway Nightclub
11/11 – Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi
11/23 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall