OCTOBER 2008 - IHEART MUSIC - POLL

Voted #5 in recent IHeartMusic poll

Two songs. That's all they've put out this year and those 6 minutes are more exciting than anything I've heard from other bands. (Bryan)

The first recorded fruits of this Toronto collective have shown that the otherworldy power of their live shows can indeed be captured on tape, which means that soon they'll no longer be just the secret of those who've seen them perform. (Frank, Chromewaves)

It makes sense that when some of Toronto's most talented musicians start a band, the result is going to be good. This isn't just good though, there's something really special about the Bruce Peninsula, and a lot of people are going to find out what it is when their debut album drops soon. (Colin, Snowsuit Sounds)

With an incredible album of original modern day spirituals and hard-nosed folk imbued with the voices of many and probably one of the best live shows around, they will be breaking mighty big. (Chris, Exclaim!)

This indie gospel choir / psych folk rock band from Toronto is a kind of super group with a roving band of members in their live shows including stellar permanents Misha Bower, Matt Cully (who co-DJs the popular dance party, Goin' Steady), Neil Haverty, and occasionals Katie Stelmanis, Casey Mecija (Ohbijou), master percussionist Maya Postepski, Taylor Kirk (Timber Timbre) and the now-departed (from the band) Isla Craig. They sing traditional songs (read: Negro spirituals) and their own ethereal, haunting originals, which work as well---if differently---in places like the Horseshoe Tavern as they do at St. Andrew-by-the-Lake Church on Toronto Island, where the band celebrated the release of their 7" several months back. That show, which quickly sold out to friends, fellow musicians, and local scenesters in the know, was something else. The band toured out to the East Coast in the late summer of 2008, no doubt impressing wherever they went. Watch for the band's full-length to drop soon. It's called A Mountain Is A Mouth. (Jen)

Their performance at this year's Pop Montreal was one of those breathtaking, deeply moving, quasi-religious concert experiences that you get every couple of years, if you're lucky. Shockingly, they're able to translate that onto disc, with the upcoming A Mountain Is A Mouth. I don't want to jinx them by using the "P-word", but in all honesty, anyone who wants to succeed Caribou next September is going to have to go through Bruce Peninsula. (Matthew, ihm)

I wanted to see the Bruce Peninsula play for so long, but every time I tried to see them, a conflict would come about. After months of missed shows, I finally saw them at Toronto’s WhipperSnapper Gallery and they were great beyond great. Harmonious, loud & in unison: all of what the Bruce Peninsula are. All I can say for the band is that every single member is extremely talented. From the front-row choir, to the percussionists to the lead vocals, this band should play churches and big halls. They won’t need amplifiers. They produce enough sound from each other to fill Massey Hall easily, and it’s wonderful how they do it. (Garry)

They released their debut single, rocked the crap out of Sappyfest and have a full-length on the way very soon. A good 2008 and I'm predicting an even better 2009. (Paul, Wolves Hawks and Kites)

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