Great Lake Swimmers

Great Lake Swimmers are a Canadian folk rock band formed in 2003 in Wainfleet, Ontario, with origins also given as Toronto. Their music sits across acoustic rock, chamber folk, contemporary folk, country, folk rock and indie folk.

Formation and members

The group begins with Tony Dekker on vocals, guitar and harmonica, alongside Erik Arneson on banjo, guitar and harmonium, Bret Higgens on bass, Julie Fader on keyboards and vocals, and Greg Millson on drums. Julie Fader later leaves the band and Miranda Mulholland joins on violin and backing vocals. The listed members also include Bret Higgins, Miranda Mulholland, Sandro Perri and Joshua Van Tassel.

Sound and recording style

Great Lake Swimmers develop from a sparse and hushed acoustic unit into a fuller folk rock band while keeping the intimacy of the early recordings. Tony Dekker often records in old churches, community halls, abandoned grain silos and other rural locations, using the natural resonance of those spaces to frame his voice. His singing is described as the central feature of the group’s sound, supported by spacious arrangements.

Albums and collaborations

The band’s fourth album, Lost Channels, is recorded in a range of historic and acoustically distinctive places in Ontario and New York state, including Singer Castle on Dark Island near Hammond, the Brockville Arts Centre, St. Brendan’s Church in Rockport, Halla and the Lincoln County Social Club in Toronto, before being assembled at the House Of Miracles in London, Ontario with long-time collaborator Andy Magoffin. The album draws on river imagery and references hidden histories and the St. Lawrence River region. It features Julie Fader, Greg Millson and Darcy Yates, with additional appearances by Erin Aurich on violin, Mike Olsen on cello and Paul Aucoin on vibraphone. Serena Ryder contributes vocals to “Everything Is Moving So Fast”, and Bob Egan plays pedal steel.

Live activity

The band tours in Canada, the United States and Europe, and their live show brings them wider audiences. In 2008 they share stages with Feist, Béla Fleck & The Sparrow Quartet, Hayden, Goldfrapp, Bill Callahan of Smog, and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss.