The Wilderness
Toronto, Ontario, Canada | SELF | AFTRA
Music
Press
“The Wilderness are well known in pockets of Toronto for their high-energy live performances, all-out glitter-filled dance parties. So it’s surprising to find their debut record a dark, elegantly crafted and, yes, subtle slice of post-punk. It’s bursting with crisp riffs, bouncy bass lines and atmospheric Ian Curtisy vocals, but instead of throwing everything at the wall at once, the band keeps a keen eye on the details. Production and pace often get overlooked on a band’s first go, but not here. Spread over 28 minutes, the five songs blend to form a continuous suite. By tempering exuberant moments with textured, groove-based passages, the shoegaze-style noise jams actually feel earned. But if you’d rather just have the party starter, head straight to Realpolitik, a crunchy synth-rocker straight out of the Interpol playbook. NNNN” - NOW Magazine
“Bridging high-energy indie-rock with post-punk grooves,The Wilderness’ set seemed more like a party atmosphere... bouncing balloons and ass shaking included. Fronted by a charged-up lead singer, the band delved into a cascade of angular guitar-riffs, Ian Curtis style vocals, splashes of electronics, and syncopated rhythms hinting at bands like Editors and Interpol. Playing to a receptive crowd, these guys will both rock and dance you out.” - Exclaim! - The Lonely Vagabond
“I have never seen a crowd so entranced...people actually rushing the front of the stage in hopes that they would be covered in glitter...” - Buying Shots For Bands, September 2010 - Buying Shots for Bands
“The Wilderness like to throw a party.They were undoubtedly the stars of this night. I seriously thought I might have been slipped drugs for a moment, but later discovered I was completely sober. A++++++++” – The Take Media, NXNE Review, June 2010 - The Take Media
"Well respected as one of the most dynamic live bands in the city,The Wilderness now try to capture that sound on their debut album and they do a strong job at doing so. Hearing such a solid recording from the band can only help but have people realize that the balloons, the glitter, and all the other fun stuff that The Wilderness incorporate into their live show is to add to the experience like something you would expect at a Flaming Lips concert, as opposed to a distraction from the music itself.” - Two Way Monologues, .272 Album Review, November 2010 - Two Way Monologues
“I can honestly say this was one of the most entertaining and passionate shows I’ve been to in a while and predict that this Toronto band won’t stay unsigned for long...”
- Panic Manual, review of Album Release concert, November 2010 - Panic Manual
Lead singer Lee Piazza's stage presence and powerful vocals can either put you into a mellow groove or demand you to dance. This drives the Wilderness, but without one of the tightest bands in the city backing Lee, it would only go so far...
- Dan Wolovick of Two Way Monolgues.com, Toronto - Dan Wolovick - TwoWayMonologues.com
Rock traditionalists that merge flowing vocals with impeccable blues-driven guitars, straddling the divide between alt-roots and supercharged indie rock. An energetic, rapturous live show!
- The Lonely Vagabond, Toronto - The Lonely Vagabond
Discography
.272
Produced & Engineered by: Chris Mason
Mixed by: Dean Marino
Mastered by: Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel
.272 is available on 12" Vinyl, CD or MP3 download at:
http://thewildernessmusic.com
.272 is also available on iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/272/id405146837
Photos
Bio
The Wilderness released their debut ep, .272, last year to heaps of critical praise.
NOW Magazine gave it NNNN. The Montreal Mirror wrote "There is loads of promise and plenty of appeal" in the record. Roundletters described the record as "like those neon lights you see at night through the car window as you blaze down the street, adding detail to a world that can otherwise be drab". ChartAttack, Two Way Monologues, Shattered Vinyl and a number of other blogs gave overwhelmingly positive reviews.
After their drummer/synth-player/producer Chris Mason left the band to undergo neck therapy, The Wilderness were forced to redefine themselves. Changing their backline entirely, the sound has fundamentally changed. Labelled as everything from electro rock to shoegaze over the past year, they have now taken an assertively grittier turn.
The new material has been hammered out in a small, foul-smelling rehearsal space with the assistance of numerous tall cans, and post-jam drinking sessions in Geary St. dives. They're currently recording the new record, to be released in the springtime.
Having shared the stage with Freedom or Death, Bravestation, Zeus, The Ruby Spirit, Memphis, Rich Aucoin, Armen at the Bazaar and Modern Superstitions, The Wilderness have maintained their hard-earned reputation as "one of the most dynamic live bands in the city" (TWM).
In a time when a lot of bands worry about getting up early for work more than celebrating their music, The Wilderness press on in defiant and revelrous form.
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