Wintersleep in Montreal

Wintersleep played Montreal's Lambi club recently. Jessica Klien shares her thoughts.

The curtains were drawn and the stage was set as the crowd was drunk on anticipation and cheap beer. Saturday night’s usual game of “choose-your-favorite-rock-show” led me to Club Lambi for a strong performance by Canadian indie up-and-comers Wintersleep.

My bias towards Lambi as a venue ended that evening as Wintersleep played to a packed house. The shows I’d previously witnessed in the small space lacked the energy and vitality that radiated from the 5-piece band from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Wintersleep is touring to promote their latest album, Welcome to the Night Sky, which was produced by Tony Doogan of Mogwai and Belle and Sebastian fame. From the steam-engine chugging pace of “Murderer” to the gentle piano medley in “Dead Letter and the Infinite Yes”, this stunningly beautiful rock record takes them a step closer to the spotlight in the Canadian indie music scene.

As they opened with the first track from the new record, “Drunk on Aluminum”, singer Paul Murphy’s voice quivered with the perfect blend of vulnerability and tenderness. My heart continued to soar as they blasted through older songs off their 2005 self-titled album including a rollicking, heavy rendition of “Jaws of Life”.

Another highlight from the show was the catchiest tune from Welcome to the Night Sky, “Weighty Ghost”. With its simple chorus and sweet melody, this one is poised to become a sing-a-long favorite for many shows to come.

Photo by Alexander O'Neill (Creative Commons)

http://www.wintersleep.com

Jessica Klein