Heavy Blinkers
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Andrew Watt, Ruth Minnikin, Jason MacIsaac |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Halifax , Canada |
| Products | Studio albums, EPs |
| Website | www |
The Heavy Blinkers were a Canadian pop ensemble characterized by orchestral arrangements, originating from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their sound was shaped by influences such as Brian Wilson, Serge Gainsbourg, Ennio Morricone, Paul McCartney, and Harry Nilsson. Over the span from 1998 to 2013, they produced six studio albums.
History
Established in 1998, the founding lineup featured Andrew Watt alongside vocalists Ruth Minnikin and Jason MacIsaac, who also contributed as a songwriter.
In 2000, the group introduced a self-titled EP that garnered attention for its stylistic resemblance to Brian Wilson’s Smile era. This release was succeeded by five full-length albums, notably including 2004’s The Night and I Are Still So Young. Their compositions are managed by Nettwerk Publishing. By January 2008, Watt and Minnikin had exited the band, leaving MacIsaac as the only remaining original member.
The Heavy Blinkers unveiled their 16-track album Health in 2013. The subsequent year brought them a nomination for Pop Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards.
Discography
- Hooray For Everything (Canada: Pleasant Street; 1998)
- Heavy Blinkers (Canada: Brobdingnagan Records; 2000)
- Better Weather (Canada: Brobdingnagian Records; 2002)
- The Night and I Are Still So Young (Canada: Endearing Records; US: Cooking Vinyl; 2005)
- International Pop Exchange (split EP with Orwell) (Endearing Records; 2005)
- Health (self-released; 2013)
Contributions
- Touch & Go (Canadian film soundtrack, 2002)
- Lynne Me Your Ears (2002) – track "You Took My Breath Away"
- Papa Nez: A Tribute to Michael Nesmith (2002) – cover of "Magic"
- G-Spot (Canadian television series, 2005) – song "Silver Crown"
- Robson Arms (Canadian TV series, 2005) – track "Filtered Light"