The Barr Brothers and Shaina Hayes

Formerly of the avant-rock band The Slip, brothers Andrew and Brad’s music career began in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., and in 2004 during a show in Montreal a fire broke out, which led to chance meeting of a resident Montréaler. Sealing a bond between the brothers and Montréal, the pair soon made the move and became neighbours with harpist Sarah Page and met multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial, who completed The Barr Brothers quartet.

The band’s eponymously-title debut album arrived in late 2011 by Secret City Records and introduced the public to the band’s harmony-driven vocals, illustrious strings and musical ambition. The album was led by single “Beggar In the Morning”, debuted on Paste Magazine, and due to the positive reviews led to a series of high-profile appearances. These included performing at the 2011 Osheaga Festival, an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman in early 2012, the headlining artist on the main stage Scène TD de la Place des Festivals at the Montreal Jazz Festival and a show at Pickathon, the music festival in Happy Valley, Oregon, U.S.

In 2014 The Barr Brothers released their sophomore album “Sleeping Operator” which had an initial 40 songs whittled down to 13. With contributions from Arcade Fire’s Richard Reed Parry, Patrick Watson’s band and various members of the Luyas, the album introduces African and blues inflences. Spawning the songs “Half Crazy”, “Love Ain’t Enough” and “The Bear at the Window” The Barr Brothers go from strength to strength.