The Wilderness of Manitoba

The Wilderness of Manitoba, a Canadian “chamber folk” quintet that applies the label to itself, came together in 2010 on the combined abilities of Stefan Banjevic, Will Whitwham, Melissa Dalton, Scott Bouwmeester, and Sean Lancaric. Its beginnings emerged naturally from nocturnal gatherings at Toronto’s Delaware House, the basement studio, rehearsal area, and living space belonging to local indie rockers Howl, who present acoustic performances in their garage. Drawing on banjo, cello, mandolin, and guitar, the ensemble depends on its rich, complex harmonies to ground the wickedly pretty northern folk songs. Part Fleet Foxes and part Great Lakes Swimmers with a tiny bit of Cloud Cult-inspired unpredictability tossed in for good measure, the band issued its full-length debut, When You Left the Fire, via TinyOGRE Records in May 2011.