Great Lake Swimmers
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Lost Channels (2009)

Lost Channels Cover
  1. Palmistry
  2. Everything Is Moving So Fast
  3. Pulling On A Line
  4. Concrete Heart
  5. She Comes To Me In Dreams
  6. The Chorus In The Underground
  7. Singer Castle Bells
  8. Stealing Tomorrow
  9. Still
  10. New Light
  11. River’s Edge
  12. Unison Falling Into Harmony

When Great Lake Swimmers’ Tony Dekker wrote the song “Everything is Moving So Fast,” he couldn’t have predicted that it would foreshadow the rapid success of the Toronto band’s fourth album, LOST CHANNELS. For a project that has seen a slow upward trajectory since its humble beginnings in 2001, the Great Lake Swimmers are suddenly getting exponentially more attention across North America and Europe, entrancing newcomers to the band with Dekker’s unforgettable voice and compelling songwriting.

That LOST CHANNELS was a success in Canada is no surprise: Great Lake Swimmers have long been a word-of-mouth favourite for whom critical mass was inevitable, and they are regarded as a national treasure by the country’s public broadcaster, the CBC; LOST CHANNELS recently topped the chart on CBC Radio 3 (which is also broadcast in the U.S. on Sirius Satellite Radio). It also sat at #1 on iTunes’ Singer/Songwriter chart.

But it’s not just the home team cheering on the Swimmers. LOST CHANNELS attained the #2 Most-Added position at the influential radio trade magazine Friday Morning Quarterback. It debuted at #10 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart in its first week, re-entering the Top 10 in May, and was #1 on the Amazon MP3 downloads chart. Meanwhile, an older non-album track, “See You On the Moon,” can be heard on prime time television in a Honda ad. And individual bloggers have been massive champions: Great Lake Swimmers reached “Most Blogged Artist” status on premier MP3 site Hype Machine.

No doubt much of this has been fuelled in part by public endorsements by the likes of Feist, Robert Plant, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams and cyclist Lance Armstrong. The latter two have both raved about the band on their personal websites; the former have handpicked the Great Lake Swimmers to open shows and whole tours. They’ve also shared bills with Bela Fleck & The Sparrow Quartet, Hayden, Goldfrapp, and Bill Callahan of Smog.

This sudden exposure is new for a band that has always dwelled in shadows, telling tales of hidden histories, singing of "mining for light in the dark wells," of being "tuned to an instrument of greater and unknown design."

The instrument in question is the singular voice of Tony Dekker, a voice that summons ghosts from times past. It’s a voice that is capable of conveying heartache and comfort all in the space of a single phrase. Though his supporting cast has changed over the years—with the exception of longtime right-hand man Erik Arnesen — Dekker has always encircled him self with sympathetic players who value spacious arrangements that frame his vocals. Over time, the band has evolved from a sparse, delicate and hushed unit into a well-rounded folk rock band, sacrificing none of their original intimacy while upping both the volume and tempos when necessary.

Dekker chooses to record in old churches, community halls, abandoned grain silos and rural locations. It's easy to hear why. His voice doesn't need any studio embellishment, standing at its strongest when bathed in natural reverb and enriched by the historical context surrounding it.

To record LOST CHANNELS, Dekker and company went upstream on the St. Lawrence River to the Thousand Islands, halfway between Toronto and Montreal, a historic and picturesque area that straddles the Canadian/American border, and has been designated a World Biosphere Region. Great Lake Swimmers arrived at the invitation of fan and Thousand Islands photographer/regional historian Ian Coristine (www.1000islandsphotoart.com).

Coristine was able to arrange for the band to record in a number of acoustically unique spaces within the region, including one of the area's most storied landmarks, Singer Castle on Dark Island, near Hammond, NY (www.singercastle.com); as well as the historical Brockville Arts Centre (www.brockvilleartscentre.com); and at St. Brendan’s Church in Rockport, ON.

River imagery recurs throughout LOST CHANNELS; the title of the album is a reference to a certain passage of the St. Lawrence, close to the recording locale, where a reconnaissance boat from a British warship went mysteriously missing in 1760. There’s no specific reference to the incident in the lyrics, though there are plenty of night skies, howling winds and raging rivers in almost every song which captures an elusive sense of mystery. As the album closes, Dekker sings the final lyrics—“Like the unstoppable river… Your beauty is gentle/ but forceful, and fast”—before the band ends on a suspended note. There is no resolution there, only eternity, a continuum, an endless river.

LOST CHANNELS also features the talents of Julie Fader (flute/backing vocals), Greg Millson (drums), Darcy Yates (bass), with appearances by Erin Aurich on violin; Mike Olsen on cello; and Paul Aucoin on vibraphone; along with special guests / Swimmers collaborators Serena Ryder with vocals on “Everything Is Moving So Fast” and Bob Egan on pedal steel.

Song Sung Blue EP (2008)

Song Sung Blue EP
  1. Song Sung Blue (Neil Diamond)
  2. The Dream
  3. Just Crushed
  4. The Depression
  5. Awake
  6. Old Milwaukee
  7. Eyes On The Prize
  8. Encore
  9. Final Bow

Everyone has their favorite NEIL DIAMOND song and so does TONY DEKKER of the GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS. Dekker wrote an original music score for the powerful and moving documentary, SONG SUNG BLUE. Over 8 years in the making, Song Sung Blue tells the alternately inspiring and tragic love story of LIGHTNING & THUNDER, a homegrown MILWAUKEE husband & wife singing duo that pay tribute to the music of NEIL DIAMOND.

Known for his dreamy and heartfelt vocals, DEKKER wrote and performed over 30 minutes of music for the doc, including an uplifting cover of NEIL DIAMOND'S 1972 chart topping classic, SONG SUNG BLUE for the film's closing credits. "The honesty and emotional warmth of Tony's music provides an intimate texture to the film's 'captured not contrived' style of storytelling" said 10-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker GREG KOHS. Song Sung Blue is Kohs feature film directorial debut.

A big fan of GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS, Kohs approached Dekker regarding the project following a gig in Philadelphia. "I instantly connected with the film's genuine nature. I had not heard of Lightning & Thunder before this, but their story resonated hugely. I love every moment of the film, and am extremely proud to be a part of" said Dekker.

This special score EP contains a cover of Neil Diamonds' "Song Sung Blue" along with 8 moving and inspirational instrumental tracks created specifically for this documentary film by Tony Dekker of Great Lake Swimmers. Great Lake Swimmers is currently signed to Nettwerk Records.

Ongiara (2007)

Ongiara Cover
  1. Your Rocky Spine
  2. Backstage With The Modern Dancers
  3. Catcher Song
  4. Changing Colours
  5. There Is A Light
  6. Put There By The Land
  7. I Am Part Of A Large Family
  8. Where In The World Are You
  9. Passenger Song
  10. I Became Awake

Tony Dekker (voice, guitar), Erik Arnesen (banjo, electric guitar) and Colin Huebert (drums, percussion, glockenspiel, timpani), guest appearances by Serena Ryder (backing vocals, autoharp), Bob Egan of Blue Rodeo (pedal steel and dobro), Sarah Harmer (backing vocals) and Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy and Arcade Fire (string arrangements). Mike Overton (upright bass), Darcy Yates (electric bass), Mike Olsen (cello), and Mike Bonnell (organ).

The title of the album was taken from the Toronto Harbour boat that carried the band to their initial recording sessions on Toronto Island with Dale Morningstar. However, "Ongiara" was mainly recorded in the Aeolian Hall and was engineered by Andy Magoffin, and mixed at the renowned House of Miracles. Renowned artist and Juno Nominee James Mejia (HolyFuck, Wintersleep) created the artwork for both releases.

Bodies and Minds (2005)

Bodies and Minds Cover
  1. Song For The Angels
  2. Let's Trade Skins
  3. When It Flows
  4. Various Stages
  5. Bodies And Minds
  6. To Leave It Behind
  7. Falling Into The Sky
  8. Imaginary Bars
  9. I Saw You In The Wild
  10. I Could Be Nothing
  11. Long Into The Evening

Great Lake Swimmers' warm second album, Bodies and Minds, is filled with songs of heartbreak, rural nostalgia, and the search for spiritual transcendence. The album features gentle, thoughtful compositions and understated instrumentation, while also moving fluidly into alt-country pop territory with sweet harmonies, light orchestration, and even a few up-tempo numbers. The record includes songs about manic depression ("Various Stages"), the sense of a higher power ("Song for the Angels") and finding spirituality in nature ("I Saw You in the Wild").

Bodies and Minds was recorded in a lakeside church in rural southern Ontario, continuing the emphasis on atmosphere from the debut album (which was recorded in an abandoned grain silo). Engineered by Andy Magoffin (Constantines, Royal City) and mixed at his celebrated House of Miracles, the record has a sparkle and shimmer that is due in part to the cavernous surroundings in which it was captured.

The band that brings to life stories written by singer/guitarist Tony Dekker includes Sandro Perri (of Polmo Polpo) on lap steel, Erik Arneson on banjo, Almog Ben-David on Wurlitzer piano, and Colin Huebert on drums.

Bodies and Minds was released internationally in 2005: on March 15 on weewerk in Canada; on April 4 on Fargo Records in Europe; in October on Speak N Spell in Australia; and on October 11 on Misra in the USA.

Great Lake Swimmers (2003)

Great Lake Swimmers Cover
  1. Moving Pictures, Silent Films
  2. The Man With No Skin
  3. Moving, Shaking
  4. Merge, A Vessel, A Harbour
  5. I Will Never See The Sun
  6. This Is Not Like Home
  7. The Animals of the World
  8. Faithful Night, Listening
  9. Three Days at Sea (Three Lost Years)
  10. Great Lake Swimmers

Beautiful bittersweet, drifting, late summer melancholia" **** Mojo

Stark, yet appealing. This is a truly special record" ***** Classic Rock

"Dekker squares the circle between Nick Drake, early Neil Young and Will Oldham" **** Uncut

Great Lake Swimmers make wonderfully understated, heart-wrenching music. Led by songwriter-vocalist Tony Dekker, their haunting sound finds its roots in vintage folk and alt-country colourings, shaped by accordion and piano, lap steel and acoustic guitar, with a voice that seems to come from the walls. This self-titled debut album, engineered by Victor Szabo, was recorded over several months in an abandoned grain silo in Southern Ontario. Its echoes of rural and urban landscapes include the ambient sounds of crickets and the Toronto subway. The record was issued by weewerk in March 2003, in Europe by Fargo Records in March 2004, and Misra in the USA in April 2005.

Hands in Dirty Ground EP (2006)

Hands in Dirty Ground EP Cover
  1. Song for the Angels (Miracle Version)
  2. Hands In Dirty Ground (previously unreleased)
  3. I Saw You In the Wild (Live, recorded at Knust, Hamburg)
  4. To Leave It Behind (Band Version)
  5. Innocent W.Y.D. (Live, Tom Waits cover)
  6. This Is Not Like Home (Live, recorded at Northsix, Brooklyn)

12" vinyl EP

Limited edition of 500 hand-numbered LPs are available in three different color sleeves with insert. Includes exclusive tracks, alternative versions, and live recordings.

See You On The Moon (2005)

See You On The Moon Cover
  1. Alan Sparhawk - Be Nice to People With Lice
  2. Great Lake Swimmers - See You On The Moon!
  3. Sufjan Stevens - The Friendly Beasts
  4. Montag - Kiddo 1
  5. Apostle of Hustle feat. The Husky's - 24 Robbers
  6. Junior Boys - Max
  7. Broken Social Scene - Puff The Magic Dragon
  8. FemBots - Under The Bed
  9. Montag - Kiddo 3
  10. Glissandro 70 - Voices are Your Best Friend
  11. Mark Kozelek - Leo and Luna
  12. Detective Kalita - Baby Brother
  13. Montag - Kiddo 2
  14. Hot Chip - I Can't Wake Up
  15. Kid Koala feat. Lederhosen Lucil - Fruit Belt
  16. Montag - Bonne Nuit Etienne
  17. Rosie Thomas - Faith's Silver Elephant

Alan Sparhawk (of Low), Apostle of Hustle, Broken Social Scene, Detective Kalita, FemBots, Glissandro 70 (of Polmo Polpo), Great Lake Swimmers, Hot Chip, Junior Boys, Kid Koala (with special guest Lederhosen Lucil), Mark Kozalek (of Sun Kil Moon/Red House Painters), Montag, Rosie Thomas and Sufjan Stevens all made very special tracks just for this project. Throwing condescension out the window and understanding the concept of fun without it being mindless or moronic - all the tracks will appeal to kids and grown ups alike.