The Elwins

Toronto, Ontario indie pop outfit the Elwins came together in 2008, sparked by high-school classmates singer-guitarist Matthew Sweeney and drummer Travis Stokl bonding over a shared love of the Flaming Lips and forming a project. Initially operating as a duo, they issued a self-titled EP that same year, then expanded the lineup with guitarist-keyboardist Feurd Moore and bassist Christopher Shannon. Over the following years the quartet refined its approach through performances at events including SXSW and Pop Montreal, issued assorted singles, and collaborated with friends Dr. Ew and Thomas on the aptly named The Elwins & Friends, Vol. 1 EP before turning attention to a full-length debut.

Cut in Seattle, the self-released And I Thank You appeared in early 2012; Shannon departed shortly afterward and was succeeded by Frankie Figliomeni. We Are Busy Bodies gave the album a U.S. reissue in spring 2013. Following a headline trek across North America and Europe in fall 2013, the group aligned with Hidden Pony Records, which issued its sophomore effort Play for Keeps throughout North America in early 2015; the set contained the track “So Low,” which received notable airplay on Canadian alternative radio. The Elwins delivered their third album, Beauty Community, in 2017, highlighted by the single “Hey! Ya, You.”