As the Crow Flies is a band that can
fill a room with living sound. Their poetic lyrics, swelling
harmonies, tight arrangements and skilled improvisational jams have
been opening the hearts and enervating the feet of audiences in
Victoria for two years. Playing packed shows to extremely
appreciative crowds, in venues as seemingly disparate as the Victoria
Folk Society's Sunday night Norway House acoustic showcase, Logan's
Pub, the Fernwood Inn, the Upstairs Cabaret and the Esquimalt Cambie
for over a year, this band has carved a solid name for itself around
Victoria. They have played up and down the island, and on several
gulf islands, north and south, in venues like the Duncan Showroom,
and in towns from Crofton to Uquelet.
The band got started hosting jams at
the Ocean Island Backpackers Inn. There, Adam Cleland was ripping it
up on the banjo and electric/acoustic guitars every Tuesday night,
tastily accompanying anything put to him. When Cleland heard the
songwriting and vocal delivery of Adam Reese, a strong musical
connection and friendship was formed. Each shared an affinity for
songwriters and bands such as the Grateful Dead, The Band, Bob Dylan,
Phish and Wilco. With the addition of Bryce McBride on drums and
Dennis Siemens on both upright and electric bass, the group found
itself able to play a unique synthesis of genres that they have taken
to calling “psychedelic indie-folk country-rock”. Many of their
original songs are populated with the people and street names of
Victoria, and the grooves definitely roll in resonance with ocean
waves, mountains and swaying prairie grass. For two years they have
been evolving and honing their sound, excelling at taking
singer/songwriter material to new levels of atmosphere and lush
arrangement. Always capable of mesmerizing with improvisational
soundscapes, the addition of several key technical components have
elevated their distinctive sound to new boogie-inducing heights.This
is a band that leaves you feeling warm and gladdened, as if you had
just flown in the guise of a crow from shaggy western shores to the
dun flatlands outside Drumheller, with a long-setting sun at your
back.
The line-up currently includes Adam
Reese, vocals and rhythm guitar, Dennis Siemens, electric and upright
bass, Adam Cleland, vocals, banjo, acoustic/electric guitars, and
drummer Rad Juli Steemson.
Testimonials:
Crow
Flies offers
a fresh sound that is deeply rooted in the music of our folk heroes
of the past. These guys blow out the cobwebs in a mighty and
delightful way. Crow
Flies
is a name that we ought to be hearing more of.
-Patty
Castle, Feature Coordinator, Victoria Folk Music Society