Sunparlour Players

The Sunparlour Players started playing in spring of 2005 after Andrew recorded a small EP ("Mersea") based on the rural county he grew up in south of the Detroit/Windsor border. They then released another small live EP ("Alive At The Tranzac") later in 2005. Then they played a lot more.
In 2007 they released their critically acclaimed "Hymns For The Happy" (Outside Music). "Hymns For The Happy" was recorded in many different places all over Southwestern Ontario. Engineered by Andy Magoffin @ The House of Miracles. "One of the ways Sunparlour Players succeeds on the new record is the band's intense creativity. This is heard in juxtapositions between the rawkus stomp and yowls found on John Had a Bell and a Whistle and the elegiac orchestrations and vocals of If the Creeks Don't Rise. The Players seem to be constantly evolving as their history comes from equal parts old country and old punk." (Ottawa XPress). "If AC/DC guest-starred on "Little House on the Prairie" (Maclean's). They were very happy with this album and it seemed that other people were too. They toured a lot then.
In 2009 the Sunparlour Players released "Wave North" (Outside Music). Recorded at Blue Rodeo's Woodshed Studio and the Fembots Junkshop with choir and horns recorded at Toronto's Factory Theatre. Aided by celebrated producer Jeremy Backofen (Felice Brothers, Frightened Rabbit) who gave them a definitive approach to the recording of the album. "Wave North" was also critically acclaimed. "it will shock fans both old and new and shatter most of the easy jump off points reviewers search for. Sure, the elements are the same – banjo, guitar, kick drums, Penner's unique vocal range – but they all sound bigger and more important" (Herohill) "this reflects a band just coming into its own, yet simultaneously sounding extremely confident in embracing the process. And it's just serene — an ebullient and enigmatic album" (FFWD) Harnessing their personal storytelling with a bigger sound they created an album rooted in both conflict and joy.
Known for their intense celebration of a live show ("a must see!!" - CBC 3) the Sunparlour Players continue to bring their unique sound to the masses. Come out and see for yourself.



PACIFIST'S ANTHEM by Mitch Fillion at Southern Souls.