In the tradition of bands naming themselves after specific places or landmarks, Winnipeg-based Leaf Rapids are named for a remote town in northwest Manitoba. Not necessarily easy to locate on a map, anyone would be hard-pressed to find the town purely by chance. It takes a bit of effort, and the same can be said for the band, but for the adventurous musical explorer, they are definitely worth venturing off the beaten track to seek out, as there is a trove of melodious sounds to be discovered.
Formed in 2015, the band consists of Keri and Devin Latimer on guitar and bass, respectively, rounded out with Joanna Miller on drums and Chris Dunn on electric guitar. Prior to this, the Latimers fronted the band Nathan, whose alt-country stylings and rich vocal harmonies resulted in their 2007 release,Key Principles, garnering a Juno Awardfor Roots & Traditional Album of the Year. While that turned out to be the band’s final release, Leaf Rapids emerged in 2015 with the Steve Dawson-produced Lucky Stars that built on the sound they perfected with Nathan, but at times taking a more non-traditional, introspective route.
On the surface, their music is a delightful blend of folk, country and rock, with a dollop of honky tonk; unfailingly melodic and full of little nuances such as the inclusion of theremin on some songs. Played (or is it conducted?) by Keri Latimer, the sound that’s produced gives the songs a distinct feel. The moods created by the theremin, at times sounding like a mournful cello, other times an opera singer in full falsetto glory, provide a ghostly eeriness to the songs. This is perhaps best exemplified by their cover of David Bowie’s The Man Who Sold the World, where they take an iconic song and ably put their own stamp on it, gently guiding it into psychedelic folk, indie-pop territory with a mesmerising theremin break that plays off the main guitar riff to create an absolutely otherworldly finish. It’s melodic, mystical and moving at the same time, even when it comes across as slightly jarring at times. Indeed, it’s quite fascinating how the theremin adds different musical textures to the music, never quite sounding the same from song to song. In essence, it becomes another member of the band, adding subtle embellishments that take the songs from the well-lit main roads into the shadowy woods.
Of course it would all be for nought if the songs didn’t stand up for themselves. Keri Latimer is the principal songwriter and takes lead vocals on most of the songs with a voice that is both pure and sweet, often belying some of the darker themes contained in some of the songs. Imagine The McGarrigle sisters collaborating with Ennio Morricone while fronting a band of seasoned Nashville veterans. It’s certainly a sound that’s very much their own; unburdened by current trends or musical styles. Lyrically, the subject matter is equally bold and original, ranging from tales of a frisky lumberjack being stabbed while having his hair cut, to someone experiencing a bout of existential angst while picking up radio signals being transmitted through their teeth fillings. Not your standard fare, but Latimer’s sincere, engaging delivery and the band’s always stellar and sympathetic backing, with a healthy sprinkling of fun scattered throughout, make it all work. No doubt, the characters that populate their songs are as original, and perhaps slightly quirky, as the actual inhabitants of their namesake town.
No less impressive than its predecessors, their most recent release, Velvet Paintings, continues a streak of startlingly strong albums full of masterful storytelling and atmospheric, often sublime melodies. As always, the tight ensemble playing is strong and deceptively unfussy, whether it be the gentle folk rock of Starling To A Starling, the stripped-back gentle folk of the lovely Paramjit’s Sonnet, or the rootsy shuffle of Insomniac Show with guitarist Dunn providing some tasteful countrified licks. While they stay rooted in country-folk, they aren’t afraid to take the songs to different places when the need arises. Throughout, they retain their gift for marrying consistently tuneful melodies to insightful, sometimes quirky storytelling. It’s urban cool mixed with rural charm; quietly absorbing, weirdly wonderful and highly recommended.
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