As the Poets Affirm
| Company type | Independent band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2001 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Defunct | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Ottawa , Canada |
| Products | Music albums |
As the Poets Affirm was an independent Canadian rock ensemble originating in 2001 from Ottawa, Ontario. Initially formed as a trio focusing on acoustic sounds, the group expanded into a septet that fused elements of jazz, classical, and electronica. The founding members consisted of Gary Udle (guitar, vocals), Nathan Gara (drums), Ryan Patterson (guitar, Pocket trumpet, vocals), Adam Saikaley (Moog synthesizer, organ, vocals), Alex Cairncross (bass, vocals), and cellist Cindy Olberg. Additional contributions came from violinist Renée Leduc, bassist Ryan Griffin, multi-instrumentalist Kina De Grasse Forney (keyboards, cello, vocals), and Ben Belanger, who played guitar, keyboards, and trumpet.
History
In 2004, the band independently launched two albums: I Want To Tell My Heart To You. But I Cannot Say English and The Jaws That Bite, The Claws That Catch. Both records ascended into the top five of !earshot, Canada's campus radio chart, by February 2005. Their music also received airtime on CBC Radio 3 and Brave New Waves.
They later signed with Zunior, an online label managed by Dave Ullrich of The Inbreds, releasing Awake in 2006. This album featured the addition of Gary Franks on synthesizer. Throughout their career, they shared stages with prominent Canadian groups including Destroyer, Rock Plaza Central, and Grizzly Bear.
The group dissolved in 2007 following appearances at Ottawa's Capital Idea! festival and Ottawa Bluesfest. Prior to disbanding, they recorded a final album at Little Bullhorn Studios that was not released at that time. Subsequently, members Saikaley, Gara, and Patterson formed the band Videotape.
In 2014, the previously unreleased album was independently issued as The Pierre Richardson Album, featuring performances by Cairncross, Olberg, Gara, Patterson, Saikaley, and Franks. The album’s title pays homage to musician Pierre Richardson; however, no additional details were provided.
Discography
- I Want to Tell My Heart to You, but I Cannot Say English (2004), Independent
- The Jaws that Bite, the Claws that Catch (2004), Independent
- Awake (2006), Zunior
- The Pierre Richardson Album (2014), Independent