Sunfields

Sunfields are a Montréal, Canada-based group active since 2009. The project centres on Jason Kent, and the line-up listed with the band also includes Philip Burns, Christophe Wise and Christopher Roberts. Kent is associated with The Dears, Spoon River and Soft Canyon; Burns has played in Tricky Woo and Soft Canyon; Wise has played in Elephant Stone and J.F. Robitaille; and Roberts is described as a closet musician.

Style and formation

The band emerges from an Americana framework with country elements and psychedelic undertones. Their songs draw on themes of love and loss, and the writing leans on imagery, with disarming melodies and moody instrumentation. Their early development is described as coming from long periods spent listening to, writing and recording music.

Debut album

Their debut album, Palace In The Sun, is recorded over two periods: work begins in a small cottage north of London, England, and is completed at their home studio in Montréal. The record features howling organs, rackety pianos, crackling amplifiers, haunting harmonies, tape hiss, saturated synths, glistening guitars and horns, alongside guest appearances by Sam Goldberg of Broken Social Scene, Evan Cranley of Stars, Murray Lightburn of The Dears, James Watkins of Chew Lips and Angela Desveaux. It is released on Field Recordings.

Background

The band forms in the summer of 2009. Before recording their own material, they spend time drawing on their parents’ record collections and absorbing a wide range of sounds and songs, which shapes the atmosphere of their work.