Reverie Sound Revue
| Company type | Indie rock ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2002 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Headquarters | Calgary , Canada |
Area served | Canada |
Key people | Marc De Pape, John-Marcel de Waal, Bryce Gracey, Lisa Lobsinger, Patrick Walls |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Reverie Sound Revue is an indie rock ensemble from Canada, originating in 2002 in Calgary, Alberta. The group consists of Marc De Pape on guitar, John-Marcel de Waal handling drums, Bryce Gracey playing bass, vocalist Lisa Lobsinger, and guitarist Patrick Walls. Led by Lobsinger—who has also collaborated with the indie collective Broken Social Scene—the band initially broke up in 2004 but reunited the following year. While they have cultivated a strong following within Canada, their international presence remains modest. Their musical output has generally been well-received by critics, though some have questioned its lasting impact.
History
The formation of Reverie Sound Revue took place in Calgary in 2002.
Reverie Sound Revue EP (2003–2004)
In 2003, the band independently released a self-titled EP that gained favorable reviews and helped grow their local audience. This release caught the eye of indie artist Brendan Canning, which led to Lobsinger joining Broken Social Scene on tour. The EP sold more than 2,000 copies through performances and at Calgary's Megatunes store. During this period, the band completed two tours across Canada and appeared in the "Best of the Fest" lineup at Vancouver’s New Music West festival in 2003. The group dissolved in 2004 as members moved to different parts of Canada.
Reverie Sound Revue (2005–present)
A year later, Marc De Pape spearheaded the band's revival by distributing instrumental tracks via email to members scattered across Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal for recording purposes. Their self-titled full-length album was released on 23 June 2009 through Boompa Records, following seven years of development. The album attracted mostly positive critical attention. Alongside this release, they reissued their debut EP with an additional bonus track.
To promote the album, the band undertook a "blog tour," during which De Pape produced live performance videos featuring three members performing songs online, supplemented by two official music videos to support the release. The band has expressed no intention to embark on traditional touring; in 2010, Lisa Lobsinger explained that although they enjoy working together creatively, other obligations prevent them from performing live shows.
Musical style
Reverie Sound Revue’s sound is heavily influenced by jazz and melancholic Britpop and is often regarded as an underrated Canadian pop act. Additional inspirations include bands such as Ivy, Phoenix, and Saint Etienne. Lobsinger’s vocal delivery is characteristically soft and whisper-like, accompanied by clear guitar riffs, subtle melodies, straightforward drum loops, and a rich wall of sound. Their compositions are marked by a solid rhythm section and prominent use of reverb effects.
While their initial EP leaned strongly into pop elements with synthesizer use, their later studio album adopted a more somber tone and omitted synthesizers altogether. Critics have described their musical approach as ambient, composed, and refined.
Members
The lineup of Reverie Sound Revue includes:
- Marc De Pape – guitar
- John-Marcel de Waal – drums, bass
- Bryce Gracey – bass guitar
- Lisa Lobsinger – vocals
- Patrick Walls – guitar
Discography
- Studio albums
Reverie Sound Revue (2009)
- Extended plays
Reverie Sound Revue EP (2003)
External links
- Reverie Sound Revue featured on Boompa Records