September 2023 in Ontario & Quebec

September is here, and that means it’s less than two weeks until the next leg of our Uncertain Country tour in Ontario and Quebec! 

Oshawa, Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, Paris, Guelph, Hamilton & Huntsville – we’re coming your way this month.

Special guests Minuscule are opening the Ontario dates, and Picastro will join us in Montreal.

It’s been a while since we’ve visited many of these cities (and a first in Huntsville!) but we’re thrilled to be hitting the road again and hope to see you there if you are in range.

https://greatlakeswimmers.com/shows/

Poster artwork and design by Amy Salganik.

Upcoming September tour dates:

Sept 13: Oshawa, ON – Biltmore Theatre

Sept 14: Kingston, ON – Isabel Bader Theatre

Sept 15: Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre

Sept 16: Montreal, QC – Le Ritz

Sept 27: Paris, ON – Dominion Telegraph

Sept 28: Guelph, ON – Royal City Mission

Sept 29: Hamilton, ON – Bridgeworks

Sept 30: Huntsville, ON – Sandhill Nursery, Huntsville Festival Of The Arts

More Canadian, U.S., and Europe dates at www.greatlakeswimmers.com/shows

Europe Dates Added, Nov – Dec 2023

It’s been some time since we’ve been in Europe, so we’re delighted to finally announce new 2023 European tour dates this fall to support our latest album, “Uncertain Country.” See below for details (or click the “Shows” link on this site) for upcoming shows in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland, and the UK. Joining us will be the incredible Liz Hysen of Picastro, a true gem that we have known since the band’s earliest days in Toronto.

Upcoming Europe / UK dates:

Nov 29, 2023: Diksmuide, B – 4AD

Nov 30, 2023: Hasselt, B – Café Café

Dec 1, 2023: Venlo, NL – Grenswerk

Dec 2, 2023: Deventer, NL – Burgerweeshuis

Dec 3, 2023: Antwerp, B – Djingle Djangle

Dec 4, 2023: Paris, F – La Boule Noire

Dec 6, 2023: Munster, D – Gleis 22

Dec 7, 2023: Hamburg, D – Bahnhof Pauli

Dec 8, 2023: Copenhagen, DK – Huset Musikcafeen

Dec 9, 2023: Berlin, D – LARK

Dec 11, 2023: London, UK – Omeara

Dec 12, 2023: Bristol, UK – Strange Brew

Dec 13, 2023: Manchester, UK – YES

Dec 14, 2023: Dublin, EIR – The Workmans Club

Dec 15, 2023: Belfast, UK – Ulster Sports Club

Dec 16, 2023: Glasgow, UK – Broadcast

Dec 17, 2023: Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club

All dates above with Picastro (Liz Hysen solo).

http://www.greatlakeswimmers.com/shows

New U.S. Tour Dates Announced!

We’re proud to officially announce that new U.S. tour dates are now added to the “Uncertain Country” Fall Tour. Indianapolis, Newport, Detroit, Goshen, L.A., San Fran, Bend, Seattle, Denver, Omaha, Des Moines, St. Paul, Milwaukee, Evanston, Columbus, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Sellersville & Albany – the band is coming your way in October and November! See below or click the Shows link for more details. Hope to see you if we’re in your neck of the woods! -Tony.

www.greatlakeswimmers.com/shows

  • October 3: Indianapolis, IN – Hi-Fi 
  • October 4: Newport, KY – The Southgate House Revival 
  • October 5: Ferndale, MI – The Magic Bag  
  • October 7: Goshen, IN – Ignition Music Garage 
  • October 25: Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour (Tony solo)
  • October 26: San Francisco, CA – Café Du Nord  
  • October 27: Bend, OR – Volcanic Theatre Pub  
  • October 29: Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern  
  • November 1: Denver, CO – Globe Hall  
  • November 2: Omaha, NE – The Slowdown  
  • November 3: Des Moines, IA – xBk 
  • November 4: St Paul, MN – Turf Club 
  • November 5: Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall  
  • November 7: Evanston, IL – SPACE  
  • November 8: Columbus, OH – Rumba Café  
  • November 9: Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern 
  • November 10: Pittsburgh, PA – Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh 
  • November 12: Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theatre  
  • November 13: Albany, NY – The Linda 

www.greatlakeswimmers.com/shows

Canadian Tour Dates Announced for 2023

We’re delighted to announce that new tour dates have just been added to our 2023 album release for “Uncertain Country” – we’re heading to Western Canada this Fall and kicking things off in Ontario and Quebec in September. The “Shows” link above has all the details!

It’s also just a few more weeks until the start of our Eastern Canada tour, with Laurel Minnes and a mini-version of the Minuscule choir now added as support! It’s been some time since we’ve been to PEI but we’re excited to start it all off in Charlottetown at the Trailside Music Hall on May 23. Fredericton, Halifax, Saint John and Quebec City are also coming up this month – hope to see you there!

Have you heard the new album yet? Find it streaming or pre-order an LP at our new online store.

Photo and poster by Adam CK Vollick.

“Uncertain Country” Is Out Now!

Today is the day!

The new Great Lake Swimmers album, “Uncertain Country” is out now on all streaming platforms & music services.

The first new Great Lake Swimmers music in nearly 5 years, “Uncertain Country” was inspired by a trip to the north shore of Lake Superior in Summer 2019; when the pandemic put recording sessions on hold, the album was developed in between lockdowns in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada.

“Long-time Great Lake Swimmers listeners will find much that they know, from a strong current of nature imagery to Dekker’s wistful & emotive vocal delivery, but also plenty of new territory to discover. Those who are new to the band will find a rich variety of emotional dynamics & musical approaches that still has a coherent core. ‘Uncertain Country’ stands as some of the strongest & most consistent work by one of Canada’s best bands” – Matt Wheeler/Great Dark Wonder (https://greatdarkwonder.com/review-great-lake-swimmers-uncertain-country/)

Track listing:

  1. Uncertain Country
  2. When The Storm Has Passed
  3. I Tried To Reach You
  4. Since January
  5. Swimming Like Flying
  6. On A Ship
  7. Moonlight, Stay Above
  8. Riverine
  9. Quiet Before The Storm
  10. Into It
  11. Promise Of Spring
  12. Think, Think
  13. Respect For All Living Things
  14. Flight Paths
  15. Am I Floating In The Air

Link to stream or order a copy on CD, LP & digital: https://linktr.ee/greatlakeswimmers

Thanks for taking a listen!

New Double Single – “When The Storm Has Passed” and “Moonlight, Stay Above” 

Today’s the day. We’re proud to release two brand new songs as a ‘double single’ from the new Great Lake Swimmers record. The full album will be released on April 28, 2023, but until then, “When The Storm Has Passed” and “Moonlight, Stay Above” are out now on streaming platforms.

Take a listen here.

Live Stream, Dec. 21, 2022

While last weekend was technically our last round of shows for 2022, we’re very pleased to announce a solo Tony set and chat with Tim from Paper Beat Scissors for his ‘Daystreaming’ series. Tune in on Facebook or Youtube on Dec. 21, 2022 at 3pm EST / 8pm UK to listen from the comfort of your own home. Hope you can join us then.

Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/3iUDuu1dU

Youtube link: https://youtu.be/dwPE257yvEc

Great Lake Swimmers in Concert: December 2022

Great Lake Swimmers has a few more shows coming up this December to round out 2022.

Dec. 9th finds us back in the Niagara Region at the Sanctuary Centre for the Arts, with special guests Minuscule.

Dec. 11th we’ll be at the beloved Aeolian Hall in London, Ontario with our good friends Picastro.

Tickets & info are available at https://greatlakeswimmers.com/shows/.

We have lots in the works for the new year so keep an eye on this space for some exciting announcements coming soon!

New Single “The Legend Of Bobby Bird” & Upcoming Tour Dates

To mark the occasion of his autobiography’s publication, we’re proud to release our version of Art Bergmann’s “The Legend Of Bobby Bird” via (weewerk).

https://greatlakeswimmers.bandcamp.com/track/the-legend-of-bobby-bird-art-bergmann-cover

Art Bergmann’s recent work proves that he is more essential now than ever, adding a vital new link in the chain of an already incredible life in song. As long-time fans, we continue to be stunned and believe he is currently making some of his best work, and this important song, “The Legend Of Bobby Bird” highlights that.

To echo his words, “people should hear this song and they should just weep…and ask for forgiveness.”

Our version hopes to amplify that sentiment and help tell the story of Bobby Bird, adding to the voices calling for truth and reconciliation with Canada’s First Nations, with a hope to learn and continue the healing process from the atrocities of the residential school system.

When asked what he thought of their cover effort, Art had this to say, “The Great Lake Swimmers have taken my song, “The Legend of Bobby Bird” and created something completely new. Tony Dekker’s beautiful voice is mesmerizing. I am thankful. We are blessed by this version.”

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/07ffdpmdZu7MlQdfzOZLps

Listen on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-legend-of-bobby-bird-single/1649617456

Listen on Youtube: https://youtu.be/DtVU188wIZU

Listen on Bandcamp: //greatlakeswimmers.bandcamp.com/track/the-legend-of-bobby-bird-art-bergman

Art Bergmann’s authorized biography by Jason Schneider at Anvil Press: https://www.anvilpress.com/…/the-longest-suicide-the…

Upcoming Tour Dates

Oct. 20 – Guelph, ON @ River Run Centre*

Oct. 21 – Peterborough, ON @ Market Hall*

Oct. 22 – North Bay, ON @ Capitol Centre*
* with Jenn Grant

Nov. 16 – St. David’s, NOTL, ON @ Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery

Dec. 9 – Ridgeway, ON @ The Sanctuary

Dec. 11 – London, ON @ Aeolian Hall

More information at https://greatlakeswimmers.com/shows/

GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS ON TOUR WITH JENN GRANT

October is here, and we have a mini-tour coming up this month in Ontario co-headlining with the wonderfully talented singer and songwriter, Jenn Grant.

Oct. 20, 21 & 22 we’ll be in Guelph, Peterborough and North Bay respectively. Hope to see you there. More info at https://linktr.ee/greatlakeswimmers

Upcoming shows:

Oct. 20, 2022 – Guelph, ON @ River Run Centre w. Jenn Grant

Oct. 21, 2022 – Peterborough, ON  @ Market Hall w. Jenn Grant

Oct. 22, 2022 – North Bay, ON @ Capitol Centre w. Jenn Grant

Nov. 16, 2022 – St. David’s, ON @ Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery