Greg Tilson - vox & guitbox
Annie Clifford - banjer & vox
Lucas Huang - violining, ukelucas, sticks, vox
Amanda Balsys - violining and vox
Jason Erb - pianer/keys, low end
Matt Rogalsky - lead guitbox, noises & vox
Josh Lyon - low end, trumpet, keys, squeezebox
Pete Bowers - skins & sticks
Pim van Geffen - 'bone
and sometimes:
Owen Fernley - squeezebox
Chris Trimmer - spooooky theremin & spectral processing
Isaac Mazer - "drunken" trumpet "master"
absentee member:
Ian "Shmee" "Monty" Montgomery
Influences
"What is perhaps most remarkable about The Gertrudes, and exhibited so perfectly on the new record, is their restraint. Despite having 12 members in the band, there is no jostling to be heard. Each instrument is used to its best effect, showing up when needed and retreating when not. This is so key, given the frequently gentle and delicate harmonies employed by the band. Which is not to say that they can’t rock-the-heck-out when needed, but they use the power of their numbers to create solid foundations and intricate textures, without having ever a muddled or overwrought sound." - B(oot)log
"The large band references past eras in hushed tones and adds atmospheric textures that pull the music into the present." - Now Magazine
"The most exciting thing about the EP is how The Gertrudes contrast the old time feel of banjos, ukes and accordions with electronics, horns and theremin (sweet) to create modern, spooky tracks that are as thick and ominous, but also as breathtaking as a dense fog over the harbour." - Herohill
"This delightful six-song collection of symphonic folk weaves trumpet, banjo, mandolin, accordion, ukulele, violin and trombone together into a bright and richly textured rug. From the scruffy '70s pop vibe and brass eruptions of grandly sweeping "Seymour" to lazily meandering instrumental "Kansas," this is a mesmerizing nugget of ambitious modern folk." - Exclaim (Hard Water review)
Sounds Like
The Gertrudes sound like a ol' time saloon party in deep space... experimental noise beds with down home folk passengers, frolicking through original material, played by a veritable orchestra of instruments.
The Gertrudes - Hard Water - TV DESSERTS ep. 5 from Lenny Epstein on Vimeo.
The Gertrudes' rendition of Terry Riley's 1964 "In C", performed at Modern Fuel Gallery on the final night of the 2008 Tone Deaf Festival in Kingston Ontario Canada.
Banjo picker, Annie Clifford, had a dream
about The Gertrudes. She told guitar
picker, Greg Tilson, about the dream and
he picked up the phone and called up all
The Gertrudes in her dream. The Gertrudes
then assembled themselves in a practice room at the Kingston
School of Music, and made beautiful music together.
The rest, as they say, is history.
buy The Gertrudes new album Hard Water on Zunior.com:
buy The Gertrudes ep on Zunior.com:
To book The Gertrudes, or for all other inquiries contact: littlejoemanagement [at] yahoo.ca
Your CD is pretty cool, very mellow, but a great late PM early AM album. You guys played at skeleton park tonight? Poops, I was looking all over the internet to find out what was happening and couldn't find anything but cheesy singles dances and crap. Next time you guys do a local show, let me know where it is and I'll come out and see you to show my support!
Hello from the amazing windy plains just outside Calgary , Alberta (weather
subject
to change on the 1/2 hour with out notification) Wonderful music in your space.Many discoveries made at your space, very nice
indeed to be m8s.Cheers ! (mO:) moreno
In a act of Kindness endorphin levels are elevated in the Giver, the Receiver and the Observer, how nice is that.
"do not seek happiness .. but .. do rid your self of unhappiness = Zero Negative thoughts"
"Share knowledge ,it is a way to achieve immortality"
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