Press Kit

“If you haven’t caught a glimpse of Lakes of Canada, don’t worry – you probably will. Fresh out of the studio, the band is winning Montreal over with its warm, folky tunes.”
-The Montreal Gazette

“Frontman Jake Smith was, at all times, sweaty and captivating, singing with his whole mouth, his whole body; when he walloped his guitar for percussive purposes you felt it was going to splinter.”
-Spinner

“They’re like a Canadian Fleet Foxes. I’m a sucker for random instruments, and boy did they deliver on those.”
-msn.com

Lakes of Canada were recently voted #3 Best Local Folk Act and #4 Most Pretentious Local Act in CULT Montreal’s 2013 “Best of Montreal” reader’s poll!

Lakes of Canada began in Montreal in the summer of 2010 when best-friends Jake Smith and Conor O’Neil met in a synagogue choir and began performing Jake’s songs as a duo. The duo soon added the dynamic Chris Barillaro to their group, adding his voice and piano playing to their already expanding sound, as well as guitar-expert Tim Dobby. Described as “a cross between Fleet Foxes and Simon and Garfunkel” (Ottawa Sun), Lakes employs lyrically driven songs rich with vocal harmonies.

Fresh out of Foxhole Studios, where the band recorded their debut full-length album “Toll the Bell” (for which they raised over $10,000), which was produced by Christopher Fox of Montreal-based Folly & the Hunter, Lakes is currently gearing up for their next LP. Having added a fifth member, cellist Quinn Brander, to their ranks since their Summer 2011 tour, Lakes have changed and grown significantly since the release of their EP Broken Mirrors (Spring 2011) and are excited and encouraged by all the positive feedback. Last year, Chris Barillaro was replaced by organist Gwen Bergman, who has added Harp, Flute, and a powerful soprano to the mix. Lakes of Canada won the Greenland music “Band of the Fringe” award at the 2012 Montreal Fringe Festival. After an extremely successful run at POP Montreal, CMW, Festival Folk sur la Canal (opening for Old Man Luedecke and The Sadies), Montreal Fringe Fest, and NXNE (among CBC’s picks of the festival) Lakes of Canada are hunkering down into pre-production mode for their upcoming recording at Breakglass Studios (w/ producer Jace Lasek of The Besnard Lakes).

Bated Breath “Toll the Bell” preview track: