From the Promoter

"A haunting voice backed by ominous-sounding instrumentation that expertly toes the line between spooky and infectiously groovy." - Exclaim

“This is subtle, layered, complex music that rewards multiple listens given that it’s nearly orchestral in its scope… Del Bel’s mesmerizing pop-noir will see this group go far” Pop Matters

"If their first single is any indication, their avant-garde pop sensibilities will see them go from cult hero status to household name." - CBC

"It’s breathtaking, and bodes quite well for their next album winning the Polaris Music Prize, like their last one should have. Judge for yourself." - Tiny Mix Tapes

"When Torontonians are friendly with each other, the results are spectacular." - Vice

Del Bel release "III" on Missed Connection Records

TORONTO – Guelph/Toronto-based, cinematic, downtempo pop noir collective Del Bel celebrate their third album, aptly titled “III,” with a release concert April 29 at the Longboat Hall in Toronto, as part of the monthly Wavelength Music Series. Called “the most intriguing young Canadian band you haven't heard of - yet” by Ben Rayner at The Toronto Star, Del Bel have been gradually building up a devoted fanbase since 2011, touring relentlessly across Canada, performing live scores at film festivals, and seeking out new and exciting collaborations, including, most recently, hip-hop artist Clairmont The Second. In 2013, the band was invited to be one of the inaugural Wavelength Incubator artists, alongside Fresh Snow and Most People.

“III” will be released April 7 on the band’s own label, Missed Connection Records. Album track “Go On” was recently premiered on The Strombo Show on CBC Radio. They are currently 5 artists to watch by CBC Music, and #2 in the country on CBC Radio 3.

About the artists

Del Bel seems to never musically settle on each new installment within their discography, making “III” no exception. Carrying their own torch of sinister vibes entrenched with the haunting vocal stylings of Lisa Conway (also of L CON), Del Bel decided to add a new element to their musical concoction by focusing on advancing their own songwriting. Though never shying away from collaboration in the past (eg. Bry Webb, Bruce Peninsula), Del Bel teamed up with 18-year-old Toronto-based rapper Clairmont The Second and NYC based electroacoustic composer Jason Rule, to create their most progressive album yet.

Initially tracked with John Dinsmore (Timber Timbre, Snowblink), mixed by Leon Taheny (Owen Pallett, Austra, Fucked Up), mastered by Fedge (Absolutely Free), produced by Del Bel’s own Tyler Belluz, “III” retains their odd compositional writing technique, tracking and recording the entire album before the lyrics were penned. Such schedule oddities has led to tonal uncertainty which truly reflects their dark, pop-noir resonance, now moodily reminiscent of the trip-hop genre.

Del Bel’s previous self-titled sophomore release was critically acclaimed in Canada, allowing them to chart nationally on college radio (Earshot!) and CBC’s top 30, nominated for a SOCAN Songwriting Prize, which eventually landed them a spot on CBC Q. Festival engagements include Hillside, Arboretum, Sappyfest, Suoni Per il Popolo, NXNE, and the Wavelength Music Festival, along with commissioned film scores by Toronto’s Images Festival and the Christie Pits Film Festival. Additional scores/songs have been placed on a few international based films and festivals, including a recent documentary by North Face.

Language Arts ranges from beckoning choruses with bright hooks to meandering, lyrical sagas. Insights poke out with subtle nuances, sparkling and inquisitive. Kristen Cudmore (guitar/vocals) started the band in 2005 in Vancouver-via-Halifax, and brought the project to Toronto in 2010, to join her co-conspirator in music and fellow Nova Scotia expat, Neil MacIntosh (drums). Together they co-produced the albums, Wonderkind (2014) and Able Island (2015) with the touch of Grammy-nominated Darryl Neudorf (Neko Case) on the knobs.

With Cudmore’s classical and MacIntosh’s jazz training, they bring two very different perspectives: Bombastic rhythms, slick keys, and sophisticated songwriting on top of Cudmore’s entrancing vocals. The foundation of Language Arts’ approach is her guitar playing: adapting classical guitar technique onto the electric guitar, adding a wide range of effects, a counterpoint of complex layers. Cudmore studied in both Canada and Germany from the school of the immortal Andres Segovia. The two have offered an irresistible sound that is a reflection of their unique personality and memorable performances.

Saxsyndrum is “Canada’s premiere electronic jazz deconstructionists” (Silent Shout). Their music is at the crossroads of live-electronic and experimentalism, integrating processed drums, saxophone and vocals over sub-bass and deep beats. Known for emotionally powerful live performances, the Montreal-based trio contort meticulous grooves into funky romps, playfully bringing their musicianship to the dance floor.

Promoter