The Breakmen
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | INDIE | AFM
Music
Press
"The Breakmen continue to impress...." - Penguin Eggs
"Vancouver's kings of harmony...." - Steve Edge - Rogue Folk Club
"Meticulous craftsmanship of the songwriting, the strength of the lead vocals, and the tightness of the harmonies distinguish the quartet from other Canadian outfits mining a similar vein... [an] excellent sophomore album." - Tony Montague
"As The Breakmen continue to achieve their own pure and raw brand of folk music, there is no question that they will be prominent figures in the new wave of indie bluegrass." - Emma Quail
"Much like The Band used to do so well, each of the Breakmen’s vocalists covers his own area in a shared musical territory that goes the distance from rambling to heartbreaking…. The Breakmen will surely do the soul some serious good."
- Eden Monroe
"With their new album The Breakmen have established themselves on top of the Americana scene, for me it is one of the best albums of the genre. All four are fine singers and highly talented songwriters and musicians. " - Folk World
"....When You Leave Town” is dynamic acoustic music blending elements of bluegrass, jazz, and country music from a group whose potential is virtually unlimited." - Bluegrass Unlimited
“To the already long list of Canadians who bleed pure Americana please add The Breakmen. Like their countrymen in The Band before them, they have been known to inspire a bit of the old-time religion with their sublime vocal harmonies.”
- San Francisco Bay Gaurdian
Discography
The Breakmen-2006 Outside Distribution-CAD/Burnside Distribution-US
Whiskey Hollow Bound-Compilation CD including 2 tracks by The Breakmen-2007 Outside Distribution
When You Leave Town-Oct 10, 2008 Outside Distribution-CAD/Burnside Distribution-US
Heartwood - November 7, 2010
Photos
Bio
What started out as adventurous bluegrass quartet has fast become a sharply focused roots music outfit that owes as much to The Band and Blue Rodeo as it does to Bill Monroe.
With a strikingly original repertoire, and a lively on-stage show, the band made a strong name for itself at festivals and clubs across the country. Last year the group earned two nominations at the Canadian Folk Music Awards — for Emerging Artist(s) of the Year and for Vocal Ensemble of the Year — and won a nomination for “Americana Album of the Year” at the Independent Music Awards.
Now, with Heartwood, the band’s signature sound remains, but members Matthew Lawson, Archie Pateman, Ben Rogalsky and Lee Watson are moving in a new, exciting direction. Now you’ll also hear touches of soul, classic r&b, a bit of old country and a solid taste of roots rock and roll.
The band’s new record fits perfectly into the roots/rock “Americana” / “Indie Folk” genre, There are 10 original songs by band members Pateman and Watson. — and a song from the reclusive Toronto singer Mary Margaret O’Hara, which the band found on her only album, released in 1988. The CD’s opening song, “Back to the Start” has been distributed to radio across Canada.
Like Ben Franklin with his kite, The Breakmen are messing with electricity — and in fact Lee (who is a guitar builder) has made two Telecaster-styled electric guitars for the band -- new directions can be challenging and inspiring at the same time.”
With the launch of the new album, The Breakmen are looking forward to major tours in Canada, the U.S., and in Europe. “We truly believe in this record. Now we want to get on the road and play the new material.”
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