Biography
The Barr Brothers formed a Montreal-based quartet steeped in Americana and progressive folk, drawing from New England origins and a profound affinity for folk, blues, and global sounds. Brad Barr delivers confident vocals and incisive songcraft, supported by his sibling Andrew's reliable, meticulous drumming and the refined input of bassist Morgan Moore, pedal steel guitarist Brett Lanier, and harpist Eveline Gregoire-Rousseau. The outfit surfaced in 2006; its second album, the delta blues-leaning Sleeping Operator from 2014, secured a Juno nomination, while the intimate 2017 release Queen of the Breakers topped numerous critics' year-end rankings. In 2024 the group joined Richard Reed Perry of Arcade Fire and Little Scream for the single "Live That Way Forever."
After the siblings disbanded their avant-rock trio the Slip, they launched the Barr Brothers in 2006. Having operated from Boston, Massachusetts, and spent most of the 1990s on the road with that earlier project, the pair ended activities in 2004, moved to Montreal, and linked with classically trained harpist Sarah Page plus multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial to adopt the new name. Their self-titled debut appeared on Secret City Records in 2011, drawing favorable notices that opened doors to television spots such as Late Night with David Letterman. The well-received follow-up Sleeping Operator reached listeners in October 2014 amid strong praise and ultimately earned a Juno nod for Adult Alternative Album of the Year. While crossing North America and Europe, the band cut several tracks in Iceland under producer Valgeir Sigurösson, known for work with Björk and Sigur Rós; those pieces surfaced in 2015 as the Alta Falls EP. The poignant third album Queens of the Breakers arrived in October 2017, centering on family and domestic life. In 2023 two outtakes from that record were shared through the band's Patreon page, and the following year the Barr Brothers added their voices to Richard Reed Perry's "Live That Way Forever," which featured on the soundtrack of the biographical sports drama The Iron Claw.
After the siblings disbanded their avant-rock trio the Slip, they launched the Barr Brothers in 2006. Having operated from Boston, Massachusetts, and spent most of the 1990s on the road with that earlier project, the pair ended activities in 2004, moved to Montreal, and linked with classically trained harpist Sarah Page plus multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial to adopt the new name. Their self-titled debut appeared on Secret City Records in 2011, drawing favorable notices that opened doors to television spots such as Late Night with David Letterman. The well-received follow-up Sleeping Operator reached listeners in October 2014 amid strong praise and ultimately earned a Juno nod for Adult Alternative Album of the Year. While crossing North America and Europe, the band cut several tracks in Iceland under producer Valgeir Sigurösson, known for work with Björk and Sigur Rós; those pieces surfaced in 2015 as the Alta Falls EP. The poignant third album Queens of the Breakers arrived in October 2017, centering on family and domestic life. In 2023 two outtakes from that record were shared through the band's Patreon page, and the following year the Barr Brothers added their voices to Richard Reed Perry's "Live That Way Forever," which featured on the soundtrack of the biographical sports drama The Iron Claw.
Albums
Let it Hiss
2025
Queens of the Breakers
2017
Alta Falls
2016
Sleeping Operator
2014
The Barr Brothers
2011
Singles
