Biography
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Years Active
2004 – present (21 years)
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Founded In
Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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Members
- Warren Spicer
Born in 2004, Orillia Opry is the sound of rythym driven accoustic guitar, and the un-orchestrated melding of vocals.
Pandion Haliaetus is Orillia Opry's first album, recorded in Montreal in the Spring of 2005. The album catches the two key protagonists at their best, and is given extra life with the distinctive touch of Warren Spicer (Plants and Animals, Timber) as both producer and player, and Matthew Woodley on drums.
Daniel Noble is from a small town rich with red brick buildings.
Emma Baxter is from a valley on an island in the sea.
Together they sing like crazy birds descended into the city from an opera house in a forest in the sky.
Orillia Opry is like a comfortable old car. There’s a real warm familiarity to their songs, kind of like that worn leather interior and broken turn signal. Hitting the Montreal music scene with their unique and intimate folk sound for some time now, their songs are fuller sounding and more infectious than you would expect from a folk duo. Having said that, they also rally together an impressive backing band of some of Montreal’s finest musicians. With experience and balls to boot, an older and wiser Orillia Opry delivers folky (not folksy) rock music that is as catchy as it is timeless. Now set to release their second record, Lighthouse for Stragglers’ Eyes, they certainly impress with a more confident sound, and strangely dark subject matter.
The songs were recorded to 24 track 2" analog tape at The Treatment Room in Montreal. They feature an incredile cast of some of the best musicians Montreal has to offer, including members of Plants and Animals and The Ideal Lovers. Produced by Warren C. Spicer (Plants and Animals, Katie Moore, David Macleod), this record is full of sonic surprises including creaking chairs and pianos, epic rock moments, catchy horn arrangements and beautifully quiet rooms. Most of the songs were recorded live with very little overdubbing, which is how Daniel and Emma's vocal harmonies should be heard.
"Daniel and Emma weave beautiful folk-rock tapestry, together with 60s pop sensibilities that deftly avoid the overly dour trap that so many songwriters of a more advanced age fall into."
(Pop Montreal)
"Sounding wise beyond their years, Orillia Opry have harmonies down to a science, songwriting running through their veins and the prowess to cross genres and generations. (The Hour)
"Orillia Opry pair craft spare, convincing alt-folk that holds more than its share of weathered soul. Don't let the soft-spoken acoustics fool you; there is attitude behind the poetry, and grit amid the prettiness."
(Montreal Gazette)
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