the Morals
Barrie, Ontario, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
The Morals: Music Tree Life Understanding (2012)
A stark, somewhat melancholy set that slowly constructs it’s own beauty, like frost gradually growing on a cold window. This album makes me profoundly uncomfortable in a way that I like. Fragile, clattering arrangements and frightening bursts of dramatic doom. Technically I think this is an EP… - Audio Reckoning
Barrie, ON isn't exactly renowned as a hotbed of exciting new music. Folk/pop/rock trio the Morals may be poised to change that.
The group have a strong debut EP, Music Tree Life Understanding, under their belts, with songs that revolve around the co-lead vocals of Hollie Hobby and Todd Jeffrey.
The band recently played CMW and have already been announced as one of the NXNE performers. - Snob's Music
Barrie, ON isn't exactly renowned as a hotbed of exciting new music. Folk/pop/rock trio the Morals may be poised to change that.
The group have a strong debut EP, Music Tree Life Understanding, under their belts, with songs that revolve around the co-lead vocals of Hollie Hobby and Todd Jeffrey.
The band recently played CMW and have already been announced as one of the NXNE performers. - Snob's Music
"The Morals will haunt you like the voice of Grace Slick channelled through modern indie-pop sensibilities.
Their songs are honest and direct and will live with you like memories of the greatest night you ever had,
sometimes fleeting, sometimes vivid and unshakable. "
Brock Gallant - Entertainment Manager - Plan b, Moncton, NB
Drummer, the Divorcees
- Brock Gallant
“I found myself totally captivated by this new indie trio.
The songs are really strong & the singer has an amazing voice.”
“My instinct tells me that is a band that is going places”
Yvonne Matsell
Co-Founder/Director/Programming
NXNE Festivals and Conference - Yvonne Matsell Co-Founder/Director/Programming NXNE Festivals and Conference
River Van Style writer, Michael Whone, recently met with Singer from The Morals. Hollie Hobby was extremely busy with family and preparing for a set of tour dates along the East Coast and Montreal. We discussed mostly the music from the band’s newly released CD which is turning heads, and carrying the tradition of great Canadian indie rock music. Have a look at what she told us…
Have you had any off the wall comments about your album since its release?
If by off the wall you mean “this is the heaviest music I have ever heard!” then no.
Do you think, now that your first album is out, your audience has changed much?
We haven’t seen a change in the audience though we find it is growing. Our music seems to resonate with a wide age group.
I guess this is obvious, but is The Morals a paradox?
Why would the Morals be a paradox?
What was recording your first album like?
Recording the first album was a long process. Other than a small grant from the city of Barrie, we funded the album ourselves. So we were only able to do a song a month. It was just Todd and myself in the studio with our producer/engineer Steve Singh. We had no expectations but we have always known what we like and we didn’t stray from that; even when we were working out the kinks.
Your album uses a lot of space and simplicity. Are the taciturn qualities essential to the moods of this album, or are other bands just too busy? Which is it?
Sometimes less is more. Dynamics matter the most with what we do.
When I hear the song “Harvest Yield” I feel like I should be dancing with a woman dressed like Lady Macbeth. Do you know what I mean?
There is a definite dance vibe to “Harvest Yield”. If Lady Macbeth isn’t around, grab the one you’re with.
People talk of “girl songs” and “guy songs”. Is it difficult writing lyrics for a male and a female?
We haven’t had any difficulty yet. Part of the connection I guess.
Are there any shows on the upcoming east coast tour you’re particularly looking forward to?
Plan b – Moncton, NB. They are helping us with a place to sleep also, bonus!
What’s your favourite lyric from the album? Why?
“All the warmth in the world expected of me, you’re on a way, honestly it’s come to mind” – Light Source – Nothing like a life altering realization to get you motivated.
- Michael Whone
River Van Style writer, Michael Whone, recently met with Singer from The Morals. Hollie Hobby was extremely busy with family and preparing for a set of tour dates along the East Coast and Montreal. We discussed mostly the music from the band’s newly released CD which is turning heads, and carrying the tradition of great Canadian indie rock music. Have a look at what she told us…
Have you had any off the wall comments about your album since its release?
If by off the wall you mean “this is the heaviest music I have ever heard!” then no.
Do you think, now that your first album is out, your audience has changed much?
We haven’t seen a change in the audience though we find it is growing. Our music seems to resonate with a wide age group.
I guess this is obvious, but is The Morals a paradox?
Why would the Morals be a paradox?
What was recording your first album like?
Recording the first album was a long process. Other than a small grant from the city of Barrie, we funded the album ourselves. So we were only able to do a song a month. It was just Todd and myself in the studio with our producer/engineer Steve Singh. We had no expectations but we have always known what we like and we didn’t stray from that; even when we were working out the kinks.
Your album uses a lot of space and simplicity. Are the taciturn qualities essential to the moods of this album, or are other bands just too busy? Which is it?
Sometimes less is more. Dynamics matter the most with what we do.
When I hear the song “Harvest Yield” I feel like I should be dancing with a woman dressed like Lady Macbeth. Do you know what I mean?
There is a definite dance vibe to “Harvest Yield”. If Lady Macbeth isn’t around, grab the one you’re with.
People talk of “girl songs” and “guy songs”. Is it difficult writing lyrics for a male and a female?
We haven’t had any difficulty yet. Part of the connection I guess.
Are there any shows on the upcoming east coast tour you’re particularly looking forward to?
Plan b – Moncton, NB. They are helping us with a place to sleep also, bonus!
What’s your favourite lyric from the album? Why?
“All the warmth in the world expected of me, you’re on a way, honestly it’s come to mind” – Light Source – Nothing like a life altering realization to get you motivated.
- Michael Whone
If there are several words that come to mind when describing the Morals, they would be original, unique, talented and concious. Having had the opportunity to see the Morals perform 3 times, I am always amazed at the kind of energy brought to stage by this 3 piece ensemble! With such conscious lyrics melded into heartfelt harmonies, the Morals bring truth to the term "feel the music". - Dave Reynolds
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Half way between Canadas biggest city and beautiful cottage country, Barrie, ONs the Morals have utilized their unique surroundings to create a unique style of ambient indie folk that combines the peacefulness of the latter with the tension of the former. Consisting of Hollie Hobby and Todd Jeffrey, who trade off vocal duties, guitar and keys, and drummer Dan Trickett, the Morals have become a must-see act in a very short period of time.
The bands debut album, the Music Tree Life Understanding EP, combines the heart-wrenching delicacy of Bon Iver with disjointed pop sensibilities of Feist, while hinting towards the bombast of Florence + the Machine. Within its six songs, the Morals combine the vocals of Hobby and Jeffrey with graceful guitar, pulsating keys and minimalist percussion to draw listeners into the bands haunting melodies. These songs take on a new life during the Morals epic live performances, where Trickett propels them to grandiose proportions, pushing them towards their breaking point.
Band Members
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