Discover the genre-bending band based out of Montreal
By: Nganji Kimonyo
RedFox (Courtesy of RedFox)
There's a quote by author E.L. Doctorow that compares writing to driving at night in the fog. “You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” It speaks to the uncertainty of the writing process, but this can apply to all forms of creativity and art, especially music.
For many, making music means stepping into the unknown and making something creative out of it. This sentiment perfectly describes RedFox, the five member indie folk band based in Montreal. They describe their sound as a “folky, ambient, high-energy experience” — a mixture of different influences that come together to create a unique sound rarely heard before.
The band was formed when the folk music pair of guitarist Jono Townsend and banjo player Tim Loten moved to Montreal, where they met and eventually teamed up with vocalist and violinist Daphnee Vandal. The three of them spent months honing their craft but at some point, felt as though something was missing.
The trio decided to add two more members in order to broaden and energize their sound. This is when metal drummer Samuel Neumann and bassist Sam Robinson joined the band. It’s at this point that the band found the balance between their acoustic and electric sound; the balance between where their sound originated and where they wanted to take it.
Their song “Takes One to Know One,” from their debut album Stranger Love, perfectly encapsulates their sound and journey as a band. The song begins as a more conventional folk song with the banjo, guitar and violin taking center stage, along with Daphnee Vandal’s soulful yet measured vocals. You may think you know where this song is going, but only until we approach the three-minute mark. The song then kicks into another gear and turns into the “ambient, high-energy experience,” reminiscent of Riot! era Paramore. The band comes as advertised.
Their song “Shiver,” also accurately represents the band’s sound but this time, they mix up the folk and electric influences throughout the track. It’s fast-paced, with the drums and electric guitar leading the way, but you can also hear the violin and the banjo. Once again, it makes for a very interesting and original sound, as their creative risks take centre stage.
RedFox credits their hard work and the city of Montreal for helping them get to where they are.
“Montreal is such a young, hip city, and it can be intimidating sometimes trying to keep up,” says Loten. “But even if the kids here may not always know what you’re going for, they really understand when you’re taking a risk, and when they see that, they throw their support behind you with surprising enthusiasm.”
RedFox have released two EPs and one album to date — the aforementioned Stranger Love — and in October they toured in both Ontario and Quebec for its release.