Big Brave

Big Brave

Big Brave is a Canadian experimental metal band from Montréal, Canada. The group forms in 2012 and works as a trio, with Robin Wattie on guitar and vocals, Mat Ball on guitar, and Liam Andrews. Its sound sits across doomgaze, drone metal, metal, noise rock, post-metal and post-rock, and the band is also associated with experimental rock, slowcore and drone.

Formation and early approach

The project begins with Wattie and Mathieu Bernard Ball writing together around subtle ambient and minimalist folk ideas, then expanding when long-time friend Louis-Alexandre Beauregard joins on drums. The band initially aims to play as quietly and as calmly as possible. A broken acoustic guitar and the use of an electric replacement lead to louder amplification becoming part of the group’s sound, with volume and silence used together as a compositional tool. Minimalism and fragility remain central to the band’s approach.

Releases and label history

Big Brave self-releases Feral Verdure in 2014. The album leads to a support slot for A Silver Mt. Zion in Montréal, and Efrim Manuel Menuck later invites the band to open further shows for A Silver Mt. Zion and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. In 2015 the group records Au De La with Menuck. After approaching Southern Lord, the label releases the album and continues to issue later records including Ardor in 2017, A Gaze Among Them in 2019 and VITAL in 2021.

Line-up changes and recording

After Beauregard leaves in 2018, the band records with Loel Campbell on drums at Machines with Magnets in Rhode Island. Campbell is unable to tour, so Tasy Hudson joins for live work and later records with the group. The trio of Wattie, Ball and Hudson returns to Machines with Magnets to record VITAL.

Collaborations and associations

Big Brave works closely with Efrim Manuel Menuck, who records with the band and helps connect them to wider shows with A Silver Mt. Zion and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The group also has a long-term association with Southern Lord Records.