The Besnard Lakes

The Besnard Lakes

The Besnard Lakes are a Canadian indie rock band from Montréal, Quebec, formed in 2003. The group is built around the husband-and-wife partnership of Jace Lasek, who sings and plays guitar and keyboards, and Olga Goreas, who sings and plays bass. The line-up also includes Kevin Laing on drums and Richard White on guitar. The band’s members also include Sheenah Ko, Robbie MacArthur, Nicole Lizée and Steve Raegele.

Style and origin

The band’s work sits within dream pop, indie rock, post-rock and shoegaze. Their name comes from Lake Besnard in north-central Saskatchewan.

Albums and recognition

The Besnard Lakes release their debut album, Volume I, independently in a limited 1,000-copy edition in 2003, and it is later reissued in October 2007. Their second album, The Besnard Lakes Are the Dark Horse, brings wider critical attention and is nominated for the Polaris Prize in 2007. It is recorded at Lasek’s Breakglass Studios and features guest appearances from musicians associated with Stars, The Dears and Godspeed You! Black Emperor/A Silver Mt. Zion. The band’s third album, The Besnard Lakes Are the Roaring Night, is released in 2010 and also receives a Polaris Prize nomination.