Live music listings: April 2008

Doors 7.30
£8.50 via WeGotTickets

Miracle Fortress is from the brainwaves of Graham Van Pelt, a Montreal-based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who builds wall of sound pop songs in the tradition of Brian Wilson and Brian Eno. The first single, “Have You Seen In Your Dreams” is available now through iTunes.

In late 2005, Graham Van Pelt began recording as Miracle Fortress after co-founding the multi-functional art space/venue/studio space, Friendship Cove, with local artist Jack Dylan in Montreal’s Griffintown. Graham composed, recorded, and mixed the entire Five Roses album himself within a few months; only taking time out to perform as a solo act opening for bands like Love is All, Vic Chestnut, and locals Sunset Rubdown and Islands.

Five Roses is an ambitious and engaging record of sprawling pop songs that echo My Bloody Valentine, Animal Collective, the Beach Boys, John Cale and Arcade Fire. Originally from Stratford, Ontario, Graham (age 23) is also a member of Montreal’s Think About Life (Alien8 / What’s Your Rupture).

For a live band, Graham has assembled musicians including Sunset Rubdown’s Jordan Robson-Cramer, Jesse Stein of SS Cardiacs and Adam Waito of Telefauna.

"They're not the new Arcade Fire - they're Arcade Fire dreaming of unicorns and therefore a million times better" - NME 8/10

"If Arcade Fire's Win Butler didn't have the weight of the world on his shoulders, loved the Beach Boys, sang with susurrus sweetness and let Brian Eno produce, he might be capable of something as graceful and uplifting as Miracle Fortress's debut." - The Guardian 5/5

"The sweetly scented Five Roses are so near perfection that they belong in the Garden Of Eden” - The Sun 4.5/5

“Good Vibrations, wherever you listen” - The Independent 4/5

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