The Wilderness of Manitoba - Farewell To Cathedral (2021)

After a three-year hiatus, The Wilderness of Manitoba returns in 2021 with a new lineup and a new album entitled Farewell To Cathedral. Founding member and vocalist / multi-instrumentalist Will Whitwham is joined by Victoria Carr on vocals and acoustic guitar, Tavo Diez de Bonilla (Jenn Grant) on bass and vocals and Adam Balsam (The Most Serene Republic) on drums, vocals and guitar and keyboards. From the beginning, the band has redefined themselves with each new release, from Hymns of Love and Spirits to When You Left The Fire, Island Of Echoes, Between Colours, Across The Dark and various EPs. The evolution of their sound has run the gamut from four-part harmonies and its initial chamber folk sound to duo lead vocals and an expanded sonic palette that ranges from cinematic indie pop to anthemic folk rock.

Farewell To Cathedral is about leaving your safe place to move forward and grow. In their twelve year existence, the strengths of the Manitoba wilderness are a direct result of the wealth of travelling and playing the group has done. They've played the End of the Road Festival and Peter Gabriel's WOMAD Festival in the UK, and toured the UK, US, Netherlands, Canada and Germany with artists like Aimee Mann, The Low Anthem, Lord Huron and Other Lives. The live show, says Whitwham, is an up-to-date portrait of the band and their efforts. Those efforts were recognized when The Wilderness of Manitoba was nominated for a JUNO. The group prefers to characterize itself as an evolving entity. Whitwham says, "I've always believed in new collaborations because everyone you meet influences your creative process in some way. Over five albums, The Wilderness of Manitoba's music has been described by the media as beautiful, timeless, breathtaking, triumphant, ambitious, profound, shimmering and unique.