THE WILDERNESS OF MANITOBA ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM
ACROSS THE DARK OUT SEPTEMBER 15 VIA PHEROMONE RECORDINGS
LISTEN AND SHARE “CINDY RUNS” HERE
CANADIAN TOUR DATES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 19
The Wilderness Of Manitoba prefers to characterize itself as an evolving entity and founding member Will Whitwham is the last man standing. For the band’s new album, Across The Dark, the vocalist/multi-instrumentalist stepped up to write and produce all the songs himself. For the album’s first single, “Cindy Runs,” Whitwam took at look back at the 1960s pop songs he grew up loving and added a modern take, sonically and thematically.
The song itself is about “Cinderella as the clock strikes midnight and Cindy runs,” says Whitwam. “But, also touches on what many of these pop songs from the 60’s are about – teen angst, someone who is too elusive and trying to figure that out.”
From the band’s inception, it has redefined itself with every new release. The evolution of The Wilderness Of Manitoba’s sound has run the gamut from four part harmonies and its initial chamber folk sound to duo lead vocals and an expanded sonic palette ranging from cinematic indie pop to anthemic folk rock. The current live band includes vocalist/guitarist Raven Shields, bassist/vocalist Tavo Diez de Bonilla, and drummer Mike Brushey. “The touring and recording members bring fresh eyes and open ears,” says Whitwam. “Playing with new people always brings a greener, more inspired revitalization simply because it’s change. And change is great if you don’t fight it too much.”
Due out September 15 via Pheromone Recordings, Across The Dark is a little closer to what the present line-up of the band is delivering live. “We’ve experimented a lot in the studio over the past few albums while maintaining a core sound as a touring act”, says Whitwham. “And while that sound has always remained intact, it hasn’t always been easy in the studio just because there are so many options with multiple outcomes. I limited myself a little more on this record and ended up with something tighter.”
One of the things the album title reflects is feeling that you’ve committed to something sonically and you’re confident enough to ‘cross the dark’ with it. It’s not dissimilar to the touring life and its ‘down in the trenches’ mentality. Anyone who has toured extensively knows there are long stretches and dark roads (especially in Canada), but it can also be the most rewarding when you’re happy with the band and the shows you’re delivering. If night after night, you feel that the benefits far outweigh the kilometres, then you’re successful enough to justify the madness. The other half of ‘across the dark’ refers to risk and also to the search: constantly trying to find something and the yearning for someone as a main theme in the songs themselves.
In its eight year existence, The Wilderness Of Manitoba’s strengths come as a direct result of the wealth of traveling the band has done; playing a multitude of festivals and touring in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, the USA and Canada. “The live show,” says Whitwham, “is an in-the-moment portrait of the band and its efforts.” Those efforts were recognized when The Wilderness of Manitoba was nominated for a JUNO Award. Summing things up, Whitwham says, “There is no lacking in the quantity of musical ideas and we’re looking forward to getting back to performing as a live entity.”
TOUR DATES
Sep 19 – St. Catharines, ON – Warehouse
Sep 20 – Toronto, ON – The Garrison
Sep 21 – Hamilton, ON – Mill’s Hardware
Sep 22 – Guelph, ON – University of Guelph
Sep 22 – Elora, ON – Elora Brewing Company
Sep 23 – Sarnia, ON – Paddy Flaherty
Sep 27 – Saskatoon, SK – Vangelis
Sep 28 – Edmonton, AB – The Mercury Room
Sep 29 – Red Deer, AB – Bo’s Bar & Grill
Sep 30 – Calgary, AB – Night Owl
Oct 5 – Kelowna, BC – The Habitat
Oct 6 – Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore Cabaret
Oct 7 – Chilliwack, BC – Tractorgrease
Oct 8 – Mission, BC – House Show
Oct 11 – Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
Oct 13 – Sault Ste Marie, ON – Loplops
Oct 20 – London, ON – London Music Hall
Oct 21 – Harrow, ON – The Legion
Oct 26 – Oshawa, ON – Moustache Club
Oct 27 – Kingston, ON – The Mansion
