Analog Bell Service, Basia Bulat, The Witchies, Woodpigeon land 2009 Banff Indie Band Residencies

In the second year of its popular Indie Band Residency, the Banff Centre has invited Woodpigeon, The Witchies, Analog Bell Service, and Basia Bulat to take part in this unique program – which offers an opportunity to rehearse, write and record new work, perform, and mix with some of the best recording engineers in the business.

In late October the bands will spend two weeks in Banff working directly with recording engineers and producers, including Grammy Award-winning producer Husky Höskulds, who has produced albums by artists including Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, and Fantômas; Montreal-based Howard Bilerman, whose Hotel2Tango Studio is at the forefront of that city’s indie scene, producing music by artists including Bell Orchestre, The Dears, and Vic Chesnutt; and Steve Albini, founder of Electric Audio Studios in Chicago, who has worked as a producer with The Pixies, Nirvana, and the Stooges.

Each of the bands will also work closely with The Banff Centre’s Audio department, to mix and record new music, and will do two indie concerts – one on October 25 at Wild Bill’s Saloon in Banff, and one on October 31st at The Banff Centre’s Club venue.

About the Bands

The Witchies – The three members of The Witchies, Chad Jones (guitar, vocals), Nadia Moss (keyboards, vocals), and Jonah Fortune (drums) have all played and recorded at different times with key Montreal scenesters including The Silver Mt Zion Memorial Orchestra, Vic Chesnutt, and Daddy’s Hands. Recently formed in Montreal, they recorded with Wolf Parade’s Arlen Thompson, and just returned from a North American tour with Sunset Rubdown. They won one of four 2009 Montreal Independent Music Initiative Awards for emerging talent.

Woodpigeon – Originally formed in Scotland and now based in Calgary, Woodpigeon released a first album, Songbook, in 2006 and its second, Treasury Library Canada in 2008. Their third album, Die Stadt Muzikanten, is currently being mastered in Montreal by Ryan Morey. A changing ensemble that shifts from 14-piece collective to a solo act, Woodpigeon has performed alongside bands including Grizzly Bear, Calexico, and Broken Social Scene. They played live on CBC Radio 3 as part of NXNE in Toronto this year, winning the Galaxie Prize.

Analog Bell Service – This Vancouver-based collective has a loose, DIY outlook, recording their first EP, Old Composer, independently, maintaining a jam space in Chinatown, designing and screen-printing their own album covers, and even making their own merchandise. With six main guys in the band – Chris Kelly (guitar and keyboards), Christopher Leitch (guitar and keyboards), Michael Leitch (lead guitar), Colin Edward Cowan (bass), Nick Fabin (drums), and Joshua Capri (saxophone), they’re currently promoting their second, self-titled EP, recorded at JC/DC in Vancouver.

Basia Bulat – Recorded by Hotel2Tango’s Howard Bilerman, Basia Bulat’s first album Oh My Darling has taken the “demerara-voiced” singer / songwriter / musician far. The album was picked up in 2007 by Britain’s Rough Trade Records and released in Europe and Japan, and on the strength of it, Bulat was signed with Hardwood Records in Canada, and launched a western Canadian tour. She has shared stages with artists including Sondra Lerche, Julie Doiron, and the Great Lake Swimmers.

More on the Banff Indie Band Residency at The Banff Centre.

Showcase 1: Sunday, October 25 • 9 p.m. • Wild Bill’s Legendary Saloon • Banff Ave

Showcase 2: Saturday, October 31 • 9 p.m. • The Club • The Banff Centre

Information: 1-800-413-8368 or 403-762-6301