“A wonderful atmosphere – minimalist well done” – New York Times

GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS haven’t wasted much time since the release of their critically acclaimed third album ONGIARA in the spring of 2007. After TONY DEKKER and company finished playing across North America and Europe to great review, it wasn’t long before they found a new location to write and record their follow up album LOST CHANNELS, set for release March 31 on Nettwerk.

When photographer and regional historian Ian Coristine heard the broadcast of the GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS’ performance on CBC’s Vinyl Cafe, he sent the band an invitation to explore and be inspired by the gorgeous Thousand Islands region of Ontario. The setting on the St. Lawrence River was chosen for the recording project, and with the guidance of Coristine, the band was able to record in a number of acoustically unique spaces within the region, including Singer Castle on Dark Island, near Hammond, NY (www.singercastle.com); the historical Brockville Arts Centre in Brockville, ON (www.brockvilleartscentre.com); and at St. Brendan’s Church in Rockport, ON. The “Lost Channel” is a passage of water in the Thousand Islands where mysterious disappearances occurred during a battle in 1760.

Musically, the new GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS songs see influences ranging from early REM, Gram-Parsons-era Byrds, and the Faces, to the acoustic side of Neil Young. It has elements of deceptively simple roots-rock, while still maintaining the haunting indie-folk and spatial qualities that GLS has become known for. 12-string Rickenbacher guitars, banjo, pedal steel, tight harmonies, and stripped down arrangements are all in the mix on LOST CHANNELS.

The band lineup on LOST CHANNELS consists of songwriter Tony Dekker on vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, and piano; Erik Arnesen on banjo and electric guitar; Greg Millson on drums; Darcy Yates on upright and electric bass; and Julie Fader on flute and backing vocals; with help from Bob Egan on pedal steel guitar and mandolin; Serena Ryder with vocals on “Everything Is Moving So Fast”; and appearances by Erin Aurich on violin; Mike Olsen on cello; and Paul Aucoin on vibraphone.

Great Lake Swimmers are set to tour North American this March and April. Starting with a string of eastern Canadian dates in early March, followed by Western Canadian dates in late March and then touring through America in April.

To kick off the release the Swimmers will be playing a few early shows in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Showcase dates are as follows.

FRIDAY JANUARY 9 – THE BELL HOUSE – BROOKLYN
SATURDAY JANUARY 10 – MERCURY LOUNGE – NYC

LOST CHANNELS TRACKLISTING

1. PALMISTRY 2:32
2. EVERYTHING IS MOVING SO FAST 4:19
3. PULLING ON A LINE 3:18
4. CONCRETE HEART 3:31
5. SHE COMES TO ME IN DREAMS 4:02
6. THE CHORUS IN THE UNDERGROUND 3:20
7. SINGER CASTLE BELLS 0:48
8. STEALING TOMORROW 2:50
9. STILL 2:50
10. NEW LIGHT 3:18
11. RIVERÂ’S EDGE 4:17
12. UNISON FALLING INTO HARMONY 3:25