The Box Tiger

Toronto/Portland, Maine outfit the Box Tiger captured hearts with their energetic, artful rock. Vocalist/guitarist Sonia Sturino has something very special going on; she sings with her whole mouth, bringing forth a rich, deep, and beautiful sound reminiscent of the Heartless Bastards' Erika Wennerstrom. She's also funny onstage, at one point telling us "This song is called 'Two Weeks.' It's about a bunch of bullshit." Ostensibly, this was a song about a relationship. Sturino could be Toronto indie rock's next It Girl, but she's so much more than that. Keep her and the Box Tiger in mind next time you see them on a bill. - Huffington Post

Sonia Sturino, lead singer/songwriter for The Box Tiger, might just be the most inventive power-pop singer we've seen in the last decade. Sturino and her Toronto-based quartet are surely a potent blast of postpunk, alt-rock, indie-rock (choose your category) heat, and her songwriting is a neat blend of metaphor and raw emotion, delivered over chiming guitars and sizzling, punk-rock infused tempos. But it is her vocal command that really steals the show.



As Sturino and her crew proved Sunday night at T.T. the Bear's in Cambridge, The Box Tiger's music contains loads of delectable surprises. She has good range, and exhibits nice control of her vocal prowess, and the tonal quality is always quite attractive. But Sturino also belts it out with incandescent passion, without going overboard, or taking herself too seriously and turning it into something like an opera. Pinpoint control in service of the song, in other words. Let's face it, there's nothing worse than hearing a singer with perfect pitch who leaves you totally cold and unmoved, but that'll never be a problem with Sturino.



Sunday's set was somewhat truncated, due to the fact thast regular bassist Ben Tran was called home for a family issue. The Box Tiger was completing a short fall tour in support of their debut album, "Set Fire," which came out in August, and the T.T's date was their final gig. Luckily, Portland native Jordan Stowell, who plays guitar in the Box Tiger, secured his buddy Cam Jones to fill in for the night, and after a quick rehearsal, the show sounded fine.



Okay, like you, we were intrigued to find out how a Toronto band had one of its members from Portland. Sturino, Tran, and drummer Lauren Chan are from Toronto, while Stowell is a Maine man. After the show Sunday night, Stowell explained that he'd simply found Sturino's previous band online, and had liked their sound, since he had a band with a similar outlook at the time. When he noticed that Sturino's previous band fell apart shortly after his own band imploded, Stowell emailed her that perhaps they could join forces. A year and a half ago, the new quartet emerged, keeping the monicker, The Box Tiger, which Sturino had been using since about 2009. So far, nobody has relocated.



"She writes the songs," said Stowell, "and often times they work them up without me. When I do get together with them, I will work on the overall arrangements a bit, to put my stamp on them. When we have a tour scheduled, or a string of upcoming dates, or we want to record, we get together, and we'll rehearse for a while to tighten it up."



When we say Sturino, charmingly, doesn't take herself too seriously, Sunday night's outing would be a prime example. The opening number's serrating guitars--and Sturino appears to be playing a fair share of the lead lines--shifted between chiming chordings and edgy stiletto notes, as her soaring vocal crafted a sweetly melodic center amid all the sturm and drang. "Bleeding Hart," which was the first tune done Sunday night, is a bit more straightforward on the record, but the live version was more wide open, as the singer let loose more.



But "Taller Than Trees" was really the revelation, as the insistent punk-rock rhythms framed a superb vocal where Sturino cooed softly in trills of sugary melody over the pounding beat. Chan is a really noteworthy drummer for this band, creating the kind of polyrhythms that keep the fiery tempos going, while also providing the kind of precise fills and accents that make you think the drums are another lead instrument.



The title cut from the new album is actually called "Set Fire To Your Friends," where the juxtaposition between those exciting rhythms, chiming guitars, and Sturino's buttery vocals reached their apex. As that airy melody eased from almost acoustic folk to pulsating punky-pop, with its own atmosphere of delicious guitar tones, we were thinking this was reminiscent of Coldplay--but only if Coldplay had a very mysterious, possibly evil, side.



"Hospital Choir" had at least three distinct movements, with an arrangement so sophisticated it may have been worth the price of admission by itself. Beginning as a poignant ballad, it kind of skidded into majestic arena rock, before settling into an inspirational anthem, where the singer seems to be trying to keep a hospitalized pal's spirits up. That was followed by the pulse-pounding "Knives," where Sturino's staccato delivery was punctuated by the best hiccupping vocals we've heard in rock since the days of Buddy Holly and Elvis.



The Box Tiger's set ended a bit later with a new, unrecorded number, "Embers," a kind of power ballad with pounding rhythms underlying Sturino's soaring vocals and pinpoint vocal effects. Enough rhythmic heat to levitate the room, wall-of-sound guitars, and a sharp vocalist who loves to surprise with unexpected contrasts--The Box Tiger's panoply of disparate elements adds up to a very compelling evening.



Opening this tour for The Box Tiger was Tancred, which is the solo stage name for Jess Abbott, one-third of the alt-rock trio Now, Now. Tancred's music is indie-rock, emo with an emphasis on raw emotion, as she pens tunes with in-your-face lyrics. Tancred noted that this is her first solo tour, and she should probably opt for a band tour next time. While her droning guitar chords worked well enough on the yearning pain of "When You're Weak," other tunes had the guitar work sounding too similar song-to-song. Extra points to Tancred for ending with an Alanis Morrisette cover, "Wake Up," whose stark simplicity and unvarnished approach mirrors her own. We'd look forward to hearing Tancred with a full band. - The Enterprise

Would I be a turd if I said The Box Tiger started off with a roar? I might be filled to the brim with cheese, but the band is anything but. While the plaid shirts and thick rimmed glasses look would seem at home between bookstore aisles, the Toronto band took to the stage with an easy confidence and massive energy. Slick and cool, rocking with authority, they held the crowd tight from the first note.

Packing an entourage sure helped. A few giddy audience members held up hand drawn signs professing their love [Lauren you beat the drum of my heart], which had lead singer Sonia smirking. “That’s really more of a wrestling or Katy Perry concert thing.” Katy Perry they ain’t, but between Sonia’s Karen O vocal swagger and their effortless indie rock earworms, these guys will find themselves on the big stage soon enough.

Infectiously catchy single Set Fire To Your Friends brimmed with tight pop sensibilities. A punchy, toe tapping beat brought out the warm howl of the chorus. Knives rippled, melodic and chorus driven, descending into gritty thrash. The closing number found the guitarist strapping on the bass, while the bassist jumped on a spare drum kit. Beating away with tribal percussion, the result was an irresistibly crunchy track with a frenzied vigour. Pounding drums underscored soaring wails, stripping back to a whisper before a squealing guitar breakdown. Catch these guys soon, or you’ll miss your chance to see them in intimate venues like this. - Live In Limbo

As an artist’s goal, I like Spose’s. He just wants to capture (and deserve) your attention. That’s it. If he’s got that, he knows the rest will come.

This should not be a problem for Sonia Sturino, who fronts the Box Tiger like she wants to grab you by the lapels and give you a good shake. Bringing her Toronto brand of indie rock here to Portland with native and bandmate/guitarist Jordan Stowell (who fronts In the Audience), she ought to be well received. Like the slew of excellent and assertive gal vocalists who’ve stepped up of late in differing versions of the genre — from Lady Lamb, to Hannah Tarkinson, to Loretta Allen — Sturino demands attention with big vocals and big presence.

For the video to the band’s most-recent single, the wickedly snide “Set Fire to Your Friends,” she imagines herself as serial killer of the khaki crowd, and it isn’t hard to believe her capable of taking a shovel to the back of your head. You know. In a good way. The song has the bass (also played by Stowell for the recording) and guitar taking runs like Spouse songs, bouncy and teasing: “Tell me again, I forget.” Sturino isn’t a yeller, but she’s certainly insistent and breathless, sometimes gasping on intake or cramming words into little spaces and swallowing syllables.

That might leave ambiguity in some lyrics, but you’ll forgive all when she stomps out of the opening “Bleeding Hart” on the band’s debut full-length, Set Fire. With bravado, she describes “all these kids just hanging out (hanging out),” and it’s definitely the music of youth, with passion and immediacy helped by Ron Harrity’s tight mix, with Marcus Cipparrone’s drums often set up high so he can drive the pace. His tom fills here roll us into the chorus and support Sturino’s extended delivery.

He rattles into “Julian” to completely change its complexion after a Western and moody opening and single-note guitar. These accelerations serve to grab your attention, but there’s some chance the band overuse that trope of starting songs simply and building as you go.

“Hospital Choir” is a good respite from the impact of the initial three-song set, with an acoustic strum and doubling vocal tracks, then building with the bass drum into a full-band arrangement that’s dialed back in pace. The real change-up here, though, comes with a Sturino vocal solo, touching on the falsetto, that’s same kind of chill-inducing turn as the Head and the Heart’s Charity Rose Thielen doing that part in “Rivers and Roads” that makes you sit bolt upright.

Sturino nearly spits the verse to “Taller than Trees,” supported by bass, woodblocks, and a shaker. With a pinging melody easing its way in later: “But how are you supposed to know?/How are you supposed to know?”

Likely because you’re hanging on her every word, that’s how. There are echoes of Metric in “The Hollows,” alongside that classic pinging back and forth between notes that helps define indie rock. “Knives” is squirming and restless until the fittingly sharp repetition in the chorus. The nine-note base of “Maker,” a rapping on the door like there’s someone chasing them, hangs on a central complaint that “no one’s sticking up for me,” which seems hardly possible.

Maybe there’s a tendency for the songs to run together, but that’s mostly cohesiveness and consistent emotional investment. The Box Tiger haven’t made an album to relax poolside with, that’s for sure. Even the slower-paced tunes here have a forward lean to them.

By the late-album “See-Through Hole,” they’re just about done away with artifice. While it might be their version of playful, Cipparrone is as straightforward as you can get, pounding the snare on the quarter notes as Sturino purrs: “I can’t wait to be you.”

Truly, though, this doesn’t seem like a band with identity issues. Sturino knows where she’d like to go, and the rest would be fools not to follow.

Set Fire | Released by the Box Tiger | at Bayside Bowl, in Portland | Aug 10 | theboxtigermusic.com - The Portland Phoenix

As an artist’s goal, I like Spose’s. He just wants to capture (and deserve) your attention. That’s it. If he’s got that, he knows the rest will come.

This should not be a problem for Sonia Sturino, who fronts the Box Tiger like she wants to grab you by the lapels and give you a good shake. Bringing her Toronto brand of indie rock here to Portland with native and bandmate/guitarist Jordan Stowell (who fronts In the Audience), she ought to be well received. Like the slew of excellent and assertive gal vocalists who’ve stepped up of late in differing versions of the genre — from Lady Lamb, to Hannah Tarkinson, to Loretta Allen — Sturino demands attention with big vocals and big presence.

For the video to the band’s most-recent single, the wickedly snide “Set Fire to Your Friends,” she imagines herself as serial killer of the khaki crowd, and it isn’t hard to believe her capable of taking a shovel to the back of your head. You know. In a good way. The song has the bass (also played by Stowell for the recording) and guitar taking runs like Spouse songs, bouncy and teasing: “Tell me again, I forget.” Sturino isn’t a yeller, but she’s certainly insistent and breathless, sometimes gasping on intake or cramming words into little spaces and swallowing syllables.

That might leave ambiguity in some lyrics, but you’ll forgive all when she stomps out of the opening “Bleeding Hart” on the band’s debut full-length, Set Fire. With bravado, she describes “all these kids just hanging out (hanging out),” and it’s definitely the music of youth, with passion and immediacy helped by Ron Harrity’s tight mix, with Marcus Cipparrone’s drums often set up high so he can drive the pace. His tom fills here roll us into the chorus and support Sturino’s extended delivery.

He rattles into “Julian” to completely change its complexion after a Western and moody opening and single-note guitar. These accelerations serve to grab your attention, but there’s some chance the band overuse that trope of starting songs simply and building as you go.

“Hospital Choir” is a good respite from the impact of the initial three-song set, with an acoustic strum and doubling vocal tracks, then building with the bass drum into a full-band arrangement that’s dialed back in pace. The real change-up here, though, comes with a Sturino vocal solo, touching on the falsetto, that’s same kind of chill-inducing turn as the Head and the Heart’s Charity Rose Thielen doing that part in “Rivers and Roads” that makes you sit bolt upright.

Sturino nearly spits the verse to “Taller than Trees,” supported by bass, woodblocks, and a shaker. With a pinging melody easing its way in later: “But how are you supposed to know?/How are you supposed to know?”

Likely because you’re hanging on her every word, that’s how. There are echoes of Metric in “The Hollows,” alongside that classic pinging back and forth between notes that helps define indie rock. “Knives” is squirming and restless until the fittingly sharp repetition in the chorus. The nine-note base of “Maker,” a rapping on the door like there’s someone chasing them, hangs on a central complaint that “no one’s sticking up for me,” which seems hardly possible.

Maybe there’s a tendency for the songs to run together, but that’s mostly cohesiveness and consistent emotional investment. The Box Tiger haven’t made an album to relax poolside with, that’s for sure. Even the slower-paced tunes here have a forward lean to them.

By the late-album “See-Through Hole,” they’re just about done away with artifice. While it might be their version of playful, Cipparrone is as straightforward as you can get, pounding the snare on the quarter notes as Sturino purrs: “I can’t wait to be you.”

Truly, though, this doesn’t seem like a band with identity issues. Sturino knows where she’d like to go, and the rest would be fools not to follow.

Set Fire | Released by the Box Tiger | at Bayside Bowl, in Portland | Aug 10 | theboxtigermusic.com - The Portland Phoenix

PropertyOfZack is happy to be streaming a new song from The Box Tiger called “Knives.” The Canada-based band is teaming up with our friends at Cardinal White (Jess of Now, Now) and we’re promoting the band’s new single alongside the announcement of their North American tour that’s coming in April and May. - Property of Zack

PropertyOfZack is happy to be streaming a new song from The Box Tiger called “Knives.” The Canada-based band is teaming up with our friends at Cardinal White (Jess of Now, Now) and we’re promoting the band’s new single alongside the announcement of their North American tour that’s coming in April and May. - Property of Zack

The Toronto/Portland four-piece (half of whom do double duty in the rock group In the Audience) have been getting attention from online indie circuits lately with the release of "Set Fire to Your Friends," a punchy single from their upcoming full-length. The song was recorded in Toronto and mixed/mastered in Portland (at Ron Harrity's FOREST CITY STUDIOS), and those believers in their debut 2010 EP should be intrigued. The song takes the energy and soaring melodies of that record even farther, while the production spotlights frontwoman Sonia Sturino, whose voice and presence are two of the band's best features. Exciting, energizing stuff.

- The Portland Phoenix

The Toronto/Portland four-piece (half of whom do double duty in the rock group In the Audience) have been getting attention from online indie circuits lately with the release of "Set Fire to Your Friends," a punchy single from their upcoming full-length. The song was recorded in Toronto and mixed/mastered in Portland (at Ron Harrity's FOREST CITY STUDIOS), and those believers in their debut 2010 EP should be intrigued. The song takes the energy and soaring melodies of that record even farther, while the production spotlights frontwoman Sonia Sturino, whose voice and presence are two of the band's best features. Exciting, energizing stuff.

- The Portland Phoenix

The entire band were energetic and a pleasure to watch on stage. Foreshadowing the rest of the evening.....their material sounded great, pop inflected indie rock, with Sturino’s excellent vocal tone pushing it above the ranks of similar bands. - Aesthetic Magazine

Each member is noticeably young, hardworking and technical. This works strongly for the band, as there were absolutely no hiccups or dead moments of their generous performance. There was a great delay of their show time due to the amount and time of the burlesque performances, which didn’t seem to get to them or their fans who were plentiful. - The Take Media

Our friends in rising Toronto band The Box Tiger are set to release a brand-new single, “Set Fire to Your Friends,” on iTunes November 6. Before then we’re hosting an exclusive stream of the song. Do yourself a favour and listen below, as you may not hear a tighter indie rock track this season. - Toro Magazine

Additionally, Sturino sings her heart out and seems possessed by the memories of her past while she belts heartbreaking lyrics with her eyes closed. Their tenacity is evident and admirable as they are young musicians in a competitive town filled with indie bands. - The Take Media

The Box Tiger let loose a remarkably loud and captivating set at Casbah in Hamilton last Wednesday night. Playing a fleshed out set of songs from their EP and upcoming album, the band displayed an air of confidence that screams for bigger stages and higher attendances. - Extreme Nonchalance

Bono has never sounded like this before
Posted 4/13/2012 12:32:00 PM
Classic Rock Indie Invasion Session 27 - The Box Tiger are a band out of Toronto. Sonia on lead vocal has this great vulnerability to her voice. A very interesting tone. She is definitely one of kind. You can check them out for yourself at The Horseshoe on April 21st. - Candice Knihnitski Q107 Toronto's Classic Rock Station

The Box Tiger formed in the outskirts of Toronto in late 2009.

The four-piece blends sounds from a variety of genres to create a sound of their own.

“This is our life it’s what we love. Our goal is to make music that will make you dance, make you cry, turn you on, turn you off, make you laugh, make you scream, and make you confused, but most of all make you dream!”

The band’s self-titled EP came out in July 2010. - 102.1 The Edge " Explore Music"

The Box Tiger is the Indie Online Band of the Month! They played Pina the Inside Edge Chick's Birthday Bash put on by 102.1 the Edge at the Sound Academy on Friday, April 15th, 2011. - 102.1 The Edge

It's nice to arrive at a rock show and for it to actually feel like a rock show, straight off the bat. This kind of legit vibe, which is actually quite hard to find, was being delivered by the four members of Toronto indie rock band The Box Tiger. Led by female vocalist Sonia Sturino, Box Tiger had my attention immediately. As I arrived at the El Mo, they were midway through their set as they on stage seeped in crimson, while laying down some grooves to match the powerful mood lighting. - Music Vice

It's nice to arrive at a rock show and for it to actually feel like a rock show, straight off the bat. This kind of legit vibe, which is actually quite hard to find, was being delivered by the four members of Toronto indie rock band The Box Tiger. Led by female vocalist Sonia Sturino, Box Tiger had my attention immediately. As I arrived at the El Mo, they were midway through their set as they on stage seeped in crimson, while laying down some grooves to match the powerful mood lighting. - Music Vice

I’m not much of a tastemaker, but Vaughn, Ontario indie rock band The Box Tiger are going to be big. Broken Social Scene big. With only one EP to their name, they already own a recognizable sound, a bucketful of catchy hooks, and that uncanny ability to transform notebook poetry into inspiring art. Having already built up an enviable fanbase and live reputation, they stopped by to perform “Set Fire to Your Friends”, an as-yet-unreleased song slated to appear on their 2011 debut. Barring an implosion, we’ve already reserved a spot on our best-of-the-year list for next year. - JS - Toro Magazine

I’m not much of a tastemaker, but Vaughn, Ontario indie rock band The Box Tiger are going to be big. Broken Social Scene big. With only one EP to their name, they already own a recognizable sound, a bucketful of catchy hooks, and that uncanny ability to transform notebook poetry into inspiring art. Having already built up an enviable fanbase and live reputation, they stopped by to perform “Set Fire to Your Friends”, an as-yet-unreleased song slated to appear on their 2011 debut. Barring an implosion, we’ve already reserved a spot on our best-of-the-year list for next year. - JS - Toro Magazine

The Box Tiger is an interesting name for a band. It conjures up thoughts of an animal containing violent potential but boxed; trapped for some unknown reason. I think it’s a good name for this band. The indie/art rock band formed in 2009 is from Toronto’s northern suburbs.

Fronted by Sonia Sturino, The Box Tiger bring a sound that seems more mature than one would expect from their age. The band has hardly had time to mesh but the sound they produce is mature and confident in a way that reverberates with the listener and makes them want to hear more. Their confidence shows up again with the creative, unique rythym that Sonia employs during some of her singing. It’s risks like this that can break some songs, but seem to pay off well for this group.

The band’s maturity and Sonia’s stunning vocals are best displayed in “Feel it,” from their self-titled EP. Her vocals transcend the music itself and implant something unique in the ears of the listener. Sonia’s tidal vocal arrangement on “Comes and Goes” reveals the band’s pop-sensibilities (including a nifty breakdown/solo), but again, it is Sonia that shines in this song. As opposed to some indie rock where the guitar and the drums leads the listener to where the band wants to go, it is clear in The Box Tiger’s music that the vocals grab hold of the listener and dictate the journey.

One of the things that struck me about this band was their performance in Bellwoods Park. Not only was the videography incredibly well done, but the emotion conveyed through the simple set up of singer and guitar player. The simple, honest duo entrance the viewer and makes them want to see more. Furthermore, this video gives a preview of how this group may perform live. They are tight and well-rehearsed, but not methodical. They strike a fine balance between fresh and fluid, and overly-rehearsed.

Their recent self-titled EP is the physical personification of their name. A potentiality held back by nothing except time. Give The Box Tiger a few more years, more shows, and a few more releases, and this band will soon grow into their potential. - The Take Media

The Box Tiger is an interesting name for a band. It conjures up thoughts of an animal containing violent potential but boxed; trapped for some unknown reason. I think it’s a good name for this band. The indie/art rock band formed in 2009 is from Toronto’s northern suburbs.

Fronted by Sonia Sturino, The Box Tiger bring a sound that seems more mature than one would expect from their age. The band has hardly had time to mesh but the sound they produce is mature and confident in a way that reverberates with the listener and makes them want to hear more. Their confidence shows up again with the creative, unique rythym that Sonia employs during some of her singing. It’s risks like this that can break some songs, but seem to pay off well for this group.

The band’s maturity and Sonia’s stunning vocals are best displayed in “Feel it,” from their self-titled EP. Her vocals transcend the music itself and implant something unique in the ears of the listener. Sonia’s tidal vocal arrangement on “Comes and Goes” reveals the band’s pop-sensibilities (including a nifty breakdown/solo), but again, it is Sonia that shines in this song. As opposed to some indie rock where the guitar and the drums leads the listener to where the band wants to go, it is clear in The Box Tiger’s music that the vocals grab hold of the listener and dictate the journey.

One of the things that struck me about this band was their performance in Bellwoods Park. Not only was the videography incredibly well done, but the emotion conveyed through the simple set up of singer and guitar player. The simple, honest duo entrance the viewer and makes them want to see more. Furthermore, this video gives a preview of how this group may perform live. They are tight and well-rehearsed, but not methodical. They strike a fine balance between fresh and fluid, and overly-rehearsed.

Their recent self-titled EP is the physical personification of their name. A potentiality held back by nothing except time. Give The Box Tiger a few more years, more shows, and a few more releases, and this band will soon grow into their potential. - The Take Media

As soon as The Box Tiger hits you with “Faceless,” their first track off their self-titled EP, strong and commanding vocals from Sonia Sturino (lead vocals, guitar) are apparent. In fact, I can’t help but notice similarities in her vocals with that of Florence Welch (Florence + the Machine), and that is most certainly a compliment. It speaks to level of confidence and sheer power behind her voice. The rest of The Box Tiger is made up of Glenn Tavas (lead guitar, vocals), Jesse Horvath (drums) and Massimo Decaro (bass). Once you’re able to get over the powerhouse of a frontwoman, hard-hitting drums, textured guitar and bass and even handclaps during “The Ballad of My Bones” make this 4-piece one to look out for.

Their self-titled is only 4 songs (not including a bonus track), but with it they pack a lot of energy into approximately 17 minutes of indie rock with strong pop sensibilities. “Faceless” offers a chorus that is most certainly radio-friendly, as it’s catchy and manages to sound familiar yet unique. All 4 songs offer passionate vocals, particularly “Feel It,” which seems appropriate given the title. I find that booming drums are constant in their sound, but that is not to discount the talent behind guitar and bass, particular noticeable during “Comes and Goes.” Overall, it’s a solid recording effort, something that few bands can accomplish with only about a year of life.

I think what I find particularly impressive is the do-it-yourself attitude of the band, with Sturino co-founding their record label Nice Friends with Jordan Stowell (In the Audience) that operates out of Vaughan, Ontario and Portland, Maine. The Box Tiger may be relatively new on the scene, but they show a lot of promise… and talent. Look out for more from this Vaughan/Toronto band. Pay attention because otherwise they might just catch you off guard and blow you away. - Buying Shots for Bands

As soon as The Box Tiger hits you with “Faceless,” their first track off their self-titled EP, strong and commanding vocals from Sonia Sturino (lead vocals, guitar) are apparent. In fact, I can’t help but notice similarities in her vocals with that of Florence Welch (Florence + the Machine), and that is most certainly a compliment. It speaks to level of confidence and sheer power behind her voice. The rest of The Box Tiger is made up of Glenn Tavas (lead guitar, vocals), Jesse Horvath (drums) and Massimo Decaro (bass). Once you’re able to get over the powerhouse of a frontwoman, hard-hitting drums, textured guitar and bass and even handclaps during “The Ballad of My Bones” make this 4-piece one to look out for.

Their self-titled is only 4 songs (not including a bonus track), but with it they pack a lot of energy into approximately 17 minutes of indie rock with strong pop sensibilities. “Faceless” offers a chorus that is most certainly radio-friendly, as it’s catchy and manages to sound familiar yet unique. All 4 songs offer passionate vocals, particularly “Feel It,” which seems appropriate given the title. I find that booming drums are constant in their sound, but that is not to discount the talent behind guitar and bass, particular noticeable during “Comes and Goes.” Overall, it’s a solid recording effort, something that few bands can accomplish with only about a year of life.

I think what I find particularly impressive is the do-it-yourself attitude of the band, with Sturino co-founding their record label Nice Friends with Jordan Stowell (In the Audience) that operates out of Vaughan, Ontario and Portland, Maine. The Box Tiger may be relatively new on the scene, but they show a lot of promise… and talent. Look out for more from this Vaughan/Toronto band. Pay attention because otherwise they might just catch you off guard and blow you away. - Buying Shots for Bands

Comparisons are always a dangerous thing to use when reviewing a record, especially when it's a debut EP. Unfortunately, they are an important device when trying to convey a band's sound to readers.

It's with that in mind that I draw a very careful comparison for the debut self-titled EP for Toronto's The Box Tiger.

Fierce music arrangements on tracks like "Faceless" and "The Ballad of My Bones" are high octane indie rock at it's finest. "Comes and Goes" shows a keen pop sensibility.

It's the often booming, forceful vocals of Sonia Sturino that lead me to my ultimate conclusion though: fans of Florence + the Machine hold on to your hats.
- Snobs Music

Comparisons are always a dangerous thing to use when reviewing a record, especially when it's a debut EP. Unfortunately, they are an important device when trying to convey a band's sound to readers.

It's with that in mind that I draw a very careful comparison for the debut self-titled EP for Toronto's The Box Tiger.

Fierce music arrangements on tracks like "Faceless" and "The Ballad of My Bones" are high octane indie rock at it's finest. "Comes and Goes" shows a keen pop sensibility.

It's the often booming, forceful vocals of Sonia Sturino that lead me to my ultimate conclusion though: fans of Florence + the Machine hold on to your hats.
- Snobs Music