While Montreal's The Ember Glows haven't yet performed live Kingston, the self-described "new wave psych-rock" four-piece have been releasing recorded music since 2021. With the band set to headline a show at The Mansion on Saturday, November 4, anticipation is high for their first K-Town appearance.

"We've been building a bigger audience outside of Montreal before we go back to the studio in early 2024 to work on a new album," explained The Ember Glows' lead vocalist, Martin Saint in an interview with Kingston Live. Fans of post-punk pioneers Echo & The Bunnymen have been drawn to The Ember Glows for their obvious influences, not to mention the band's popular cover of The Bunnymen's classic Bring on the Dancing Horses.

That said, The Ember Glows is an act not so easily pigeonholed, musically. "We are rock but definitely not pure rock n' roll," described Martin. "We are new wave, but without the synth-pop elements, and we are psychedelic, but we’re not a jam band." To Martin, The Ember Glows' music traverses tone, texture and feeling. "We can be moody and dark, playing with danger and dissonance, while also exploding with energy and light."

For their November 4 show at The Mansion, the audience should expect solid rumbling grooves on the low-end, intricate guitar interplay above, and Martin's baritone vocals throughout. "We aim for texture, atmosphere, hooks and poetic lyrics," explained Martin. "Expect intensity, movement, sonic peaks and valleys. Things can get loud, but we’re not afraid to play with silence, which Martin opines as "…an integral part of good music."

Of their retro influences, Martin says, "We're said to have an 80s feeling, but we're more than the sum of those musical influences." Joining The Ember Glows at The Mansion on November 4 will be Kingston's Hallowood, a hard-rocking power trio, and talented local guitarist Mason Forsey MacKinnon and his band, Mason FM.

The Mansion's doors open November 4 at 8 pm with show set to begin at 9 pm. Advance tickets are $15 each and can be purchased online here: web link

Photo: Anthony Deschamps Posted: Oct 25, 2023