artist The Flats

The Flats are a five piece, Ottawa-Chelsea based indie rock band that bridge the gap between folk traditions, raucous live energy, and harmonious melodies. The band’s influences range from sixties folk to 70’s rock n' roll to more contemporary indie rock.
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Cormac Rea of Ottawa Xpress Magazine has called The Flats “one of the best bands in Ottawa”
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Daniel Sylvester of Exclaim Magazine says:  “Before Canada became the indie Mecca it is today, she was home to some of the best alt-rock bands your American friends never heard of.  That's why it's always a surprise when 21st century bands like the Flats come out with a collection of earnest, jangly, uncluttered rock that's clearly indebted to our great white alt-forefathers.Between the Beams comes off just raw and optimistic enough to mimic the pre-Bush years . . .. it's bizarrely refreshing to hear a band so unabashedly mining the jewels of our musical past.
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CBC Radio's Bandwidth host Amanda Putz says: "They remind me a little of some of my favourite 90s bands like the Grapes of Wrath.  . . it really walks the line between sounding new and sounding retro. It's the Beatles, a little Sloan... ". 
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Dick Altavista from CKCU FM noted: “Between the Beams is a wonderfully diverse album filled with catchy songs and vocal harmonies the Everly siblings would be proud to claim. If you can see Neil Young playing guitar for Crowded House, The Flats are the band for you.” 

 

It has been said that attending a Flats show is like standing in the path of a freight train – melodically building speed toward an explosive finish. Their energetic, raw, dynamic live show has impressed audiences in Ottawa, Toronto, Kingston and Quebec at Zaphod's, the Black Sheep Inn, The Supermarket (presented by AUX), the Mansion, the Live Lounge, the Elmdale Tavern, Irene's as well as many local festivalsincluding WestFest and Chelsea Days. 

 

In June 2010, The Flats released their Debut CD, Between the Beams, and they are currently hard a work writing new songs in anticipation of a new release later in 2012. 

 

The Flats began in the fall of 2007 with Greg Brayford (guitar, bass, vocals) and two former band mates from Belfast Cowboys/ Tilda, Michael Peterson (bass, guitar, vocals) and Matthew Young (drums, percussion). In early 2008, a session player from the Toronto music scene, Rob Commins, joined to play mandolin, banjo, bass and guitar. Mitch Pariseau (formerly of Hennessey), was yet another former Belfast Cowboy who joined the band to add a full guitar soundscape. In the spring of 2008, drummer Steve Jurgutis (formerly of everender) joined to play percussion and assorted sounds.

 

In the summer of 2011, Michael Peterson decided to take a hiatus from the band to work on his solo recordings.

 

Contact info: sjurgutis@hotmail.com