Guster

Guster was formed in 1991 when the members met each other at a freshman orientation at Tufts University in Boston. A year after their formation they booked their first gig as Gus, later independently releasing their first album entitled “Parachute.” Shortly after, they renamed the band to Guster due to another artist who already took the name Gus.

In 1996 Guster again independently recorded and released their second album entitled “Goldfly,” which was later re-released when they signed with Sire Records in 1998. A year later they released a third studio album with the title “Lost And Gone Forever” followed by television appearances such as on the Late Show with David Letterman. After the release of their fourth studio album, they also released a live album/DVD from their performances in Portland, Maine.

Led off by the single, “Manifest” Guster released a fith studio album in June 2006. Later that same year the band won the Album of the Year award at the Boston Music Awards. Continuing their string of success they released “Easy Wonderful” in October 2010, and before setting out on tour, it was announced that Joe Pisapia would be touring with k.d Lang and would be replaced by Luke Reynolds. By 2014 they worked on and released an album entitled “Easy Wonderful” which was released on their independent label, Ocho Mule label.

With a haunting, whispered vocal style reminiscent of Elliot Smith and folk learnings of John Fahey and Nick Drake, Iron & Wine makes timeless indie-folk music that soothes the soul.

Born in Chapin, South Carolina, US, Samuel Beam initially studied art at the Virginia Commonwealth University before moving on to become a professor of film and cinematography at the University of Miami, Florida. Iron & Wine first gained attention from the music industry after the broth roof Band of Horses singer, Ben Bridwell, gave a demo to the editor of Yeti Magazine, which attracted the attention of record label Sub Pop, who then went on to propose a deal to Beam.

His first album was released on Sub Pop in 2002, "The Creek Drank the Cradle," produced by Beam at his him recording studio. His second, 2004's "Our Endless numbered Days" was a more polished affair and brought Beam to wider attention from critics and the public. His music went on to be featured on several movie and television soundtracks, including "In Good Company" and "Garden State." Beam's five studio albums have garnered greater chart success, with his 2011 release "Kiss Each Other Clean" okaying at number six in the US.

Beam is a multi-instrumentalist, playing a variety of stringed instruments to accompany his vocals, from banjos to slide guitar. His musical style has developed throughout his career, featuring more ornate arrangements and incorporating new influences, such as traditional Mexican music and jazz, as seen in his collaboration with Calexico on the 2005 EP, "In the Reins" and 2007's "The Shepherd's Dog," which went on to be voted one of the top ten albums in 2007 by Paste Magazine.

Formerly of the avant-rock band The Slip, brothers Andrew and Brad’s music career began in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., and in 2004 during a show in Montreal a fire broke out, which led to chance meeting of a resident Montréaler. Sealing a bond between the brothers and Montréal, the pair soon made the move and became neighbours with harpist Sarah Page and met multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial, who completed The Barr Brothers quartet.

The band’s eponymously-title debut album arrived in late 2011 by Secret City Records and introduced the public to the band’s harmony-driven vocals, illustrious strings and musical ambition. The album was led by single “Beggar In the Morning”, debuted on Paste Magazine, and due to the positive reviews led to a series of high-profile appearances. These included performing at the 2011 Osheaga Festival, an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman in early 2012, the headlining artist on the main stage Scène TD de la Place des Festivals at the Montreal Jazz Festival and a show at Pickathon, the music festival in Happy Valley, Oregon, U.S.

In 2014 The Barr Brothers released their sophomore album “Sleeping Operator” which had an initial 40 songs whittled down to 13. With contributions from Arcade Fire’s Richard Reed Parry, Patrick Watson’s band and various members of the Luyas, the album introduces African and blues inflences. Spawning the songs “Half Crazy”, “Love Ain’t Enough” and “The Bear at the Window” The Barr Brothers go from strength to strength.