Miracle Fortress

MIRACLE FORTRESS is the brainchild of Graham Van Pelt, a Montreal-based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who seems equally at home fiddling in the studio with strange pop-accidents, crafting diabolically catchy hooks, thrashing punk noise out on stage, and sometimes (if you’re lucky), even rapping.

Originally from Stratford, Ontario, Graham moved to Montreal in 2004 while still recording as a solo artist under the name Hidden in Buildings. Upon founding alternative venue space, the Electric Tractor, with friend and artist Jack Dylan, Van Pelt began to collaborate with Matt Shane and Martin Cesar as Think About Life, who quickly won local hearts, toured with Wolf Parade and Art Brut in 2005, and released their self-titled debut on Alien8 in 2006.

When it became apparent the Electric Tractor could no longer function in its Mile End location, Van Pelt and Jack Dylan opened a similarly-minded space in Montreal’s Griffintown called Friendship Cove. In addition to being one of Montreal’s most charming alternative venues, Friendship Cove also began to function as a jam space, studio, gallery, home, and more or less permanent art-installation. It was in this new setting that Van Pelt began to pursue solo recordings again, this time under the moniker Miracle Fortress.

A self-released 5 song EP, Watery Grave, led to a collaboration with Secret City Records in 2006 to record a full length LP, Five Roses. Graham spent a larger part of the year building into the Friendship Cove studio and recording the Miracle Fortress debut, taking time out to perform as a solo act opening for bands like Love is All, Vic Chestnut, and locals Sunset Rubdown, and Islands. Five Roses was released by Secret City in North America in May 2007, and according to Van Pelt is “inspired heavily by (and occasionally pays homage to) weirder Nilsson, Phil Spector and Beach Boys stuff, but draws mainly from straight-up studio accidents/surprises, FX mush, ambient drones, drum programming, post-rock, classic rock etc.” Following the release of the album, Graham decided to fill out the live material with a proper band, which now features Nathan Ward, Adam Waito and Jessie Stein (also of The Luyas). Five Roses was released in the rest of the world in September 2007 via Rough Trade, furthering wide critical appeal and a fair bit of heartfelt adoration.

Miracle Fortress out on international adventure

Miracle Fortress are off on a quick international adventure. They're the third consecutive band to make the trek out to Iceland for the excellent annual Airwaves festival, and will be playing a showcase tomorrow night in Reykjavik. Then it's off to London for what are sure to be two packed shows. If you're on either island, check 'em out!

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Miracle Fortress to play September dates

Little known fact: the evolved Miracle Fortress live show is the best kept secret of the Canadian indie touring circuit. Anyone who has seen the foursome over the past month or two knows that this band means business on stage. Fortunately for a bunch of you, they've be hitting a smattering of U.S. towns on the East Coast in September to win over your hearts. There's also one big final hometown show in Montreal at La Tulipe before Graham and co. hunker down to record the follow-up to Five Roses in earnest... Details in the shows section!

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Behind Miracle Fortress's "Have You Seen In Your Dreams"

If you haven't already seen the wonder-video that is Sinbad Richardson's take on "Have You Seen In Your Dreams", you should. For those who are curious about its actual creation, Sinbad has a little piece in the newly-launched Savfaire magazine all about it.

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Miracle Fortress double feature!

Yup, that's right...the fountain of joy that is Five Roses keeps on gushsing, this time in the form of not one, but two marvelous music videos. Though "Have You Seen In Your Dreams" (directed by Sinbad Richardson here in Montreal) and "Maybe Lately" (directed by Daniel Stafford-Clark across the pond) were each created independently of the other, we think you'll agree they play of each other rather nicely. Enjoy!

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