The Arborists (U.S.) for Prog Folk

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"The Arborists is a collaborative project exploring new ideas in folk or acoustic music through the use of unique... instrumentation/sonic textures and thoughtful lyrics. Primarily comprised of Alex Bedard, Adam Burris, Antoine Martel, and Josh Spencer, the band's intimate live performances are juxtaposed with fully orchestrated recordings to provide a different experience in each medium.
The band:

 Alexandra Bedard: 
 Cellist, vocalist, and co-songwriter, Alexandra is just some girl with big aspirations and good friends. Music is one of the many creative outlets through which Alex expresses the joys and sorrows of life. Choosing the cello over ballet lessons at age 7, Alex is classically trained but always looking for new ways to break the contemporary mold. She over-thinks, but is convinced that anything is worth expressing if someone else can feel something from that expression. Because, ultimately, genuine connections are some of the best feelings we can experience, and Alex has joined The Arborists to live, learn, grow, and keep connecting.

 Alex Cherney: 
 Alex is not one of the greatest to walk this earth, he simply is. A biped (not to be confused with a pedophile) who loves to make people around him smile, Alex finds his communication methods best suited for the arts. Starting from humble origins on Long Island, NY, Alex has been involved with several musical projects and film endeavors for as long as he can remember. If you want to see where Alex sleeps at night (strictly platonic, he swears) text him @ 514 224 6351

 Antoine Martel: 
Antoine is a Canadian/American singer/songwriter hailing from the largest city in the Evergreen State, and it is easy to tell. Flannel and earth tones govern his wardrobe, his acoustic sound is reminiscent of a simpler time, and he often sports a robust beard. Studying music at McGill takes up most of his time but he is always drawn to the acoustic guitar in the late hours of night."

http://thearborists.bandcamp.com/album/a-place-for-you-to-run-away

CD
 Comes in a beautiful sleeve with text designed by Antoine Martel and artwork featuring the lovely watercolor paintings of Alexandra Bedard (Front, Back, and CD). 

 Includes unlimited streaming of A Place For You to Run Away via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. 
ships out within 5 days
 edition of 50  
released 20 May 2014 

Alexandra Bedard - Cello, Back-Up Vocals 
 Stuart Bremner - Synths, Whistling 
 Alexander Cherney - Guitar, Vocals (track 5), Back-Up Vocals, Percussion, Synths 
 Gareth Dicker - Violin, Back-Up Vocals 
 Nick Ferraro - Saxophone (track 6) 
 Neil Heaton - Piano 
 Alan Mackie - Bass 
 Antoine Martel - Guitar, Vocals, Back-Up Vocals, Mandolin, Claves 
 Guillaume Pilote - Drums 
 Milan Simas - Clarinet (track 3) 

 Artwork by Alexandra Bedard 
 Recorded at McGill University 
 Mixed and Mastered by Stuart Bremner 
 Recorded by Stuart Bremner and Jordan Strum 

 Spoken word excerpt from: www.upworthy.com/are-you-happy-and-in-love-here-s-why-that-makes-you-so-sad?g=3&c=ufb1 

Tuesday, 3 June 2014

Album Review: A Place for You to Run Away - The Arborists

We've twice featured Canadian-American songwriter Antoine Martel on this very blog, and now he's back with The Arborists - a collaborative Montreal-based project intent on exploring new ideas in folk music. 

The result of this approach is A Place for You to Run Away, a six-track EP featuring an intriguing blend of lilting folk and moody jazz. 

After a lot of
'oohing' on 'Intro' and 'Grove of the Patriarchs', the album really gets
going with the brooding 'The Miller and the Painted Lady'. 

Not only is
Martel's low and gentle vocal best suited to such melancholy tracks, the
edgier tunes on the EP were certainly the most arresting on the ear
drums. 

After a
delightfully jazzy clarinet outro, 'Change' ironically but pleasingly
keeps the same darker mood flowing. Its Fleetwood Mac-esque drum beat
and dancing strings are a real aural treat and it was slightly
disappointing when 'Afterglow' prompted a return to a more gentle,
traditional folk approach - the change of lead singer to Alexander
Cherney exaggerating the shift. 

The EP ends in a
similar slow-burning fashion to how it began, with 'Front Porch',
although it was pleasing to hear yet another instrument - in the form of
the sax - enter the fray for a joint solo with the violin. 

To sum up, I would
have preferred to hear a lot more of the darker jazz folk stuff -
certainly a new idea - restricted to the middle of the EP and less of
the more whimsical tunes, but perhaps that's just my heavy metal
upbringing talking!

'The Miller and the
Painted Lady' and 'Change' are certainly two tracks I'll revisit again
and again, while the breadth of instruments and the production value
holding them together was very satisfying to hear.  http://www.11islouderthan10.com/2014/06/album-review-place-for-you-to-run-away.html#.U-kBXqNh4q4

http://thearborists.bandcamp.com/album/silver-and-stone-fox-and-the-hound

released 07 January 2014

personnel:                                           

Alex Bedard - Cello 
 Alex Cherney - Guitar and Vocal Harmonies 
 Gareth Dicker - Violin 
 Neil Heaton - Piano and Vocal Harmonies 
 Devin LaCasce - Flute 
 Alan Mackie - Bass 
 Antoine Martel - Guitar and Vocals 
 Guillaume PIlote - Drums 
 Hughes Sumerel - Flugelhorn 
 Evan Shay - Saxophones (Tenor and Soprano) 
Artwork by Kevin Russ: kevinruss.tumblr.com 

https://www.facebook.com/thearborists

Edited by Svetonio - August 11 2014 at 13:19

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Svetonio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 20 2010 Location: Serbia Status: Offline Points: 10213	Topic: The Arborists (U.S.) for Prog Folk Posted: August 11 2014 at 12:33
	"The Arborists is a collaborative project exploring new ideas in folk or acoustic music through the use of unique... instrumentation/sonic textures and thoughtful lyrics. Primarily comprised of Alex Bedard, Adam Burris, Antoine Martel, and Josh Spencer, the band's intimate live performances are juxtaposed with fully orchestrated recordings to provide a different experience in each medium. The band: Alexandra Bedard: Cellist, vocalist, and co-songwriter, Alexandra is just some girl with big aspirations and good friends. Music is one of the many creative outlets through which Alex expresses the joys and sorrows of life. Choosing the cello over ballet lessons at age 7, Alex is classically trained but always looking for new ways to break the contemporary mold. She over-thinks, but is convinced that anything is worth expressing if someone else can feel something from that expression. Because, ultimately, genuine connections are some of the best feelings we can experience, and Alex has joined The Arborists to live, learn, grow, and keep connecting. Alex Cherney: Alex is not one of the greatest to walk this earth, he simply is. A biped (not to be confused with a pedophile) who loves to make people around him smile, Alex finds his communication methods best suited for the arts. Starting from humble origins on Long Island, NY, Alex has been involved with several musical projects and film endeavors for as long as he can remember. If you want to see where Alex sleeps at night (strictly platonic, he swears) text him @ 514 224 6351 Antoine Martel: Antoine is a Canadian/American singer/songwriter hailing from the largest city in the Evergreen State, and it is easy to tell. Flannel and earth tones govern his wardrobe, his acoustic sound is reminiscent of a simpler time, and he often sports a robust beard. Studying music at McGill takes up most of his time but he is always drawn to the acoustic guitar in the late hours of night." http://thearborists.bandcamp.com/album/a-place-for-you-to-run-away CD Comes in a beautiful sleeve with text designed by Antoine Martel and artwork featuring the lovely watercolor paintings of Alexandra Bedard (Front, Back, and CD). Includes unlimited streaming of A Place For You to Run Away via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. ships out within 5 days edition of 50 released 20 May 2014 Alexandra Bedard - Cello, Back-Up Vocals Stuart Bremner - Synths, Whistling Alexander Cherney - Guitar, Vocals (track 5), Back-Up Vocals, Percussion, Synths Gareth Dicker - Violin, Back-Up Vocals Nick Ferraro - Saxophone (track 6) Neil Heaton - Piano Alan Mackie - Bass Antoine Martel - Guitar, Vocals, Back-Up Vocals, Mandolin, Claves Guillaume Pilote - Drums Milan Simas - Clarinet (track 3) Artwork by Alexandra Bedard Recorded at McGill University Mixed and Mastered by Stuart Bremner Recorded by Stuart Bremner and Jordan Strum Spoken word excerpt from: www.upworthy.com/are-you-happy-and-in-love-here-s-why-that-makes-you-so-sad?g=3&c=ufb1 Tuesday, 3 June 2014 Album Review: A Place for You to Run Away - The Arborists We've twice featured Canadian-American songwriter Antoine Martel on this very blog, and now he's back with The Arborists - a collaborative Montreal-based project intent on exploring new ideas in folk music. The result of this approach is A Place for You to Run Away, a six-track EP featuring an intriguing blend of lilting folk and moody jazz. After a lot of 'oohing' on 'Intro' and 'Grove of the Patriarchs', the album really gets going with the brooding 'The Miller and the Painted Lady'. Not only is Martel's low and gentle vocal best suited to such melancholy tracks, the edgier tunes on the EP were certainly the most arresting on the ear drums. After a delightfully jazzy clarinet outro, 'Change' ironically but pleasingly keeps the same darker mood flowing. Its Fleetwood Mac-esque drum beat and dancing strings are a real aural treat and it was slightly disappointing when 'Afterglow' prompted a return to a more gentle, traditional folk approach - the change of lead singer to Alexander Cherney exaggerating the shift. The EP ends in a similar slow-burning fashion to how it began, with 'Front Porch', although it was pleasing to hear yet another instrument - in the form of the sax - enter the fray for a joint solo with the violin. To sum up, I would have preferred to hear a lot more of the darker jazz folk stuff - certainly a new idea - restricted to the middle of the EP and less of the more whimsical tunes, but perhaps that's just my heavy metal upbringing talking! 'The Miller and the Painted Lady' and 'Change' are certainly two tracks I'll revisit again and again, while the breadth of instruments and the production value holding them together was very satisfying to hear. http://www.11islouderthan10.com/2014/06/album-review-place-for-you-to-run-away.html#.U-kBXqNh4q4 http://thearborists.bandcamp.com/album/silver-and-stone-fox-and-the-hound released 07 January 2014 personnel: Alex Bedard - Cello Alex Cherney - Guitar and Vocal Harmonies Gareth Dicker - Violin Neil Heaton - Piano and Vocal Harmonies Devin LaCasce - Flute Alan Mackie - Bass Antoine Martel - Guitar and Vocals Guillaume PIlote - Drums Hughes Sumerel - Flugelhorn Evan Shay - Saxophones (Tenor and Soprano) Artwork by Kevin Russ: kevinruss.tumblr.com https://www.facebook.com/thearborists Edited by Svetonio - August 11 2014 at 13:19

ClemofNazareth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Prog Folk Researcher Joined: August 17 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4659	Posted: August 16 2014 at 17:50
	Svetonio, These guys are on the review list over in the Dandelion Patch. I'm kind of ambivalent, great acoustic guitar but honestly I don't hear much here that is particularly new or innovative. We'll see what Ken has to say.
	"Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus

Svetonio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 20 2010 Location: Serbia Status: Offline Points: 10213	Posted: August 16 2014 at 20:04
	Thank you ClemofNazareth.

Aldebaran_Well Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Newbie Joined: May 25 2010 Location: Athens,Greece Status: Offline Points: 27	Posted: October 05 2014 at 06:17
	Please include them in the archives! The band itself claims to be prog folk and I agree. There is a very interesting combination of folk,jazz and classical elements.
	Some men are hunting hawks,some men are busy bees, some louder than a storm,others silent as the trees, but we're all dressed up as one,noone stands out in the crowd, We're strangers in this town.

ClemofNazareth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Prog Folk Researcher Joined: August 17 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4659	Posted: December 20 2014 at 17:14
	Good news. The Arborists have been approved for Prog Folk. I'll add them as soon as I get Orpheus GhostSong done.
	"Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus

Svetonio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 20 2010 Location: Serbia Status: Offline Points: 10213	Posted: December 20 2014 at 20:20
	^

kenethlevine Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Prog-Folk Team Joined: December 06 2006 Location: New England Status: Offline Points: 8851	Posted: January 04 2015 at 15:55
	I am adding the bio. I am going to put the country as Canada since they seem to be based in Montreal now added Edited by kenethlevine - January 04 2015 at 16:36

Svetonio Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 20 2010 Location: Serbia Status: Offline Points: 10213	Posted: January 05 2015 at 11:28