artist The Land

Judith and Simon have been together since 1997. As The Land, their music combines intricate vocal harmonies with guitar, viola, violin, banjo, mandolin, and sometimes organs and synthesizers. Currently based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, their music has been performed as far away as St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Steinreich, Mexico. They’ve played in theatres, bars, coffeehouses, and church basements.

Their debut self-titled album brings together a collection of bittersweet songs recorded without frills in their living room. Judith Klassen, violist and ethnomusicologist, plays viola, violin, glockenspiel, and all kinds of other stuff. She is also a gifted harmonizer, adding deceivingly sparse layers of soft surreality to the music. In addition to The Land, Judith contributed her viola to the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra for two seasons. Simon Neufeld – a practicing agroecologist – plays acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, synthesizer, and sings (mostly melody). He also acted as principal recording engineer for their debut release.

As of late, Simon has been wont to post rough-hewn recordings of half-written songs.  He calls these his Chumpend Songs. The full collection of these sawn-off numbers is located at The Chumpend Songs.

For some old music recorded by Judith and Simon in the dawn of time, visit our other NMC page at Judith and Simon.