Self-described Canadian “chamber folk” quintet the Wilderness of Manitoba formed in 2010 around the talents of Stefan Banjevic, Will Whitwham, Melissa Dalton, Scott Bouwmeester, and Sean Lancaric. The group formed organically out of late-night sessions at Toronto’s Delaware House, a combination basement studio/rehearsal space/living quarters for local indie rockers Howl, who host acoustic shows in their garage. Employing an arsenal that includes banjo, cello, mandolin, and guitar, it’s the Wilderness of Manitoba's rich, complex harmonies that serve as the anchor for their wickedly pretty northern folk songs. Part Fleet Foxes and part Great Lakes Swimmers with a tiny bit of Cloud Cult-inspired unpredictability tossed in for good measure, the band released its full-length debut, When You Left the Fire, on TinyOGRE Records in May 2011. ~ James Christopher Monger