Biography
Majical Cloudz, the Canadian electronic art pop ensemble, originated as a solo endeavor by Devon Welsh. Arbutus Records gathered his home-recorded lo-fi synth pop experiments and danceable pop songs from 2010-2011 and issued them in 2011 under the title II. Labelmate Clare Boucher, performing as Grimes, contributed guest vocals to several tracks. Welsh joined forces with instrumentalist Matthew Otto in 2012, converting Majical Cloudz into a duo whose music grew more expansive, anchored by broad synth textures, restrained rhythms, and the sharpened focus of Welsh’s vocals paired with dramatic lyrics.
Arbutus released their first duo project, the Turns Turns Turns EP, in late 2012. Their debut full-length, the more minimal Impersonator, appeared in 2013 through the American indie label Matador. The album earned widespread critical acclaim and a nomination for the 2013 Polaris Prize. Pop singer Lorde subsequently asked the duo to support her 2014 North American tour. After those dates ended, they released the Neil Corcoran-directed documentary A Lot of Humans, for which they composed the soundtrack. Throughout this period Welsh and Otto continued shaping songs for their second album, the equally plaintive Are You Alone?, issued by Matador and Arts & Crafts in October 2015. Two months later the five-track EP Wait & See followed.
Majical Cloudz announced their dissolution in March 2016, choosing to disband while they felt they stood at a high point so each member could pursue separate projects, including solo work. They performed a farewell concert at La Sala Rossa in Montreal on March 10, 2016. One month afterward Are You Alone? received the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year.
Arbutus released their first duo project, the Turns Turns Turns EP, in late 2012. Their debut full-length, the more minimal Impersonator, appeared in 2013 through the American indie label Matador. The album earned widespread critical acclaim and a nomination for the 2013 Polaris Prize. Pop singer Lorde subsequently asked the duo to support her 2014 North American tour. After those dates ended, they released the Neil Corcoran-directed documentary A Lot of Humans, for which they composed the soundtrack. Throughout this period Welsh and Otto continued shaping songs for their second album, the equally plaintive Are You Alone?, issued by Matador and Arts & Crafts in October 2015. Two months later the five-track EP Wait & See followed.
Majical Cloudz announced their dissolution in March 2016, choosing to disband while they felt they stood at a high point so each member could pursue separate projects, including solo work. They performed a farewell concert at La Sala Rossa in Montreal on March 10, 2016. One month afterward Are You Alone? received the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year.
Albums
Singles
