The Barr Brothers

The Barr Brothers

The Barr Brothers are a Montréal, Canada-based folk rock and indie folk group active since 2006. The band consists of brothers Andrew Barr and Brad Barr, together with Sarah Page and Andres Vial.

Origins

Andrew Barr and Brad Barr are also known as founding members of the rock trio The Slip. Before forming The Barr Brothers, the brothers spend much of the 1990s touring across North America. In 2004, while The Slip are playing a small club in Montréal, a fire breaks out in the venue and the band leaves with a few guitars and drums. Andrew gives his coat to one of the bar staff as the audience evacuates; that woman later becomes one of the band’s managers.

Formation and members

By the following year, Brad and Andrew Barr are living in Montréal. Brad’s first apartment in the city shares a wall with Sarah Page, a classically trained harpist from Montréal, and her playing informs the music he is writing. Their connection develops into a friendship, and the brothers begin recording and performing with Page around Montréal. Multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial later joins, contributing keyboards, bass, vibes, percussion and vocals. The group begins using the name The Barr Brothers in 2006.

Releases

The Barr Brothers release their self-titled debut album in 2011.