Birds of Bellwoods have unveiled “Catching Up,” the new single from their forthcoming album, VICTORIA. The quartet have established themselves as one of Toronto’s most  unique emerging bands, with “skilled musicianship and strong vocal harmonies.” (New Canadian Music) The self-released EP, The Fifth, racked up accolades including a 2016 Independent Music Award and  an International Songwriting Competition prize.

Stephen Joffe (lead vocals / mandolin), Adrian Morningstar (guitar / vocals), Chris Blades (banjo / electric guitar / vocals) and Kintaro Akiyama (upright bass / vocals) came together when Joffe, going through a break-up, found refuge on Morningstar’s couch, pouring his heartbreak into collaborative songwriting efforts with his three friends. The chemistry born from this organic beginning is evident in Birds of Bellwoods’ songs and especially in their live performances. Self-described as sounding like “a folk band in a fist fight,” “the group has staked out a place amongst [Toronto’s] most talented emerging songwriters.”

(BlogTO) In addition to his work in the band, Joffe is an accomplished actor who will be seen this fall in the CBC / Netflix series, Alias Grace.

VICTORIA will be released on October 20th, with a release show on 9/23 at Toronto’s Mod Club Theatre. This debut full-length album continues to display Birds of Bellwoods’ “gripping compositions… meticulously executed and fantastically captured.”