A Northern Chorus
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Hamilton, Ontario , Canada |
| Products | Four albums under Sonic Unyon label |
A Northern Chorus was a Hamilton, Ontario-based Canadian group that produced four albums under the Sonic Unyon label.
History
The band was established in 1999 by vocalists and guitarists Stu Livingstone and Pete Hall following the dissolution of their former ensemble, Datura Dream Deferred. The original members also included Mark Raymond on bass, Dan Jagt on drums, Erin Aurich playing violin, and Julie MacDonald contributing flute, guitar, and backing vocals.
Their first record, Before We All Go To Pieces, debuted in 2001 through Black Mountain Music and was subsequently re-released by Sonic Unyon with an altered track selection. Prior to the creation of their sophomore album, Spirit Flags (2003), both Jagt and Raymond exited the band; Owen Davies assumed bass duties while Marshall Bureau took over on drums. Additionally, Sarah MacGregor succeeded Aurich as the violinist. In 2004, MacDonald departed to join Sarah Harmer's ensemble, and cellist/vocalist Alex McMaster joined the lineup shortly thereafter. After issuing Bitter Hands Resign in 2005, drummer Bureau was replaced by Steve Hasselink.
Aurich rejoined the group for their fourth release, The Millions Too Many (2007), which also featured Craig Halliday on drums and Ben Bowen on horns.
From 2001 through 2008, A Northern Chorus performed extensively throughout Canada and the United States, including a tour across the United Kingdom in 2004. The band declared their breakup in May 2008 and held farewell concerts in Toronto and Hamilton during June of that year.
They briefly reassembled with the Millions Too Many lineup for performances in Toronto and Hamilton in 2011, as well as another show in Hamilton in 2014.
Members
- Stu Livingstone (vocals, guitars)
- Pete Hall (vocals, guitars)
- Alex McMaster (vocals, cello)
- Owen Davies (bass)
- Craig Halliday (drums)
- Erin Aurich (violin)
- Graham Walsh (producer for Bitter Hands Resign and The Millions Too Many, piano and organ)
- Ben Bowen (horns on The Millions Too Many)
Albums
- Before We All Go to Pieces (2001)
- Spirit Flags (May 20, 2003)
- Bitter Hands Resign (May 3, 2005)
- The Millions Too Many (March 20, 2007)