Chosen from more than 100 applications, the bands work with producers including Tony Berg (who’s worked with Beck, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, PiL, and Jakob Dylan), Montreal-based producer Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Bell Orchestre), and Banff Centre alum Shawn Everett, who co-produced Weezer’s last album, Hurley. During the two-week session, they’ll write, record, and perform as many new songs as possible, and leave with a network of connections and resources unique in the indie world. Past bands in residence include Ohbijou, Basia Bulat, The Adam Brown, Analog Bell Service, and Woodpigeon.

Mise en Scene

Fine art students Stephanie Blondal and Jodi Dunlop are Mise en Scene, a Winnipeg duo that’s climbed up Winnipeg’s college radio charts and landed firmly on the Manitoba music scene. They released their first EP last November, and recently recorded another single. “What a country we live in, eh?” says Blondal of the Residency. “So many people helpin’ out the young ‘uns. Who needs drugs when Canada is the drug?!”

The Abramson Singers

When Vancouver’s Leah Abramson developed tendonitis in her wrist a few years ago, it was the beginning of a unique musical sound. Unable to write songs on guitar, she borrowed an 8-track and began recording a cappella vocal numbers under the name The Abramson Singers, releasing an album of the same name in 2010. These days, Abramson’s wrist is back in action and she brings a band with her to Banff, made up of Patrick Metzger, Greg Murray, Tyson Naylor, and Eric Weiden. 

Doldrums

Evidence of Doldrums’ experimental sound can be found on a VHS-format Mixtape that blends found footage with an electronic, synth-heavy soundtrack backed by distorted vocals. The invention of Spiral Beach’s Airick Woodhead, the band is described by a U of Toronto newspaper as “sounding somewhere between a hip-hop breakbeat experiment, hippies stealing gear from a new-wave band, and Woodhead’s avowed heroes, Animal Collective.”

All three bands will play a Showcase concert in the Centre’s Eric Harvie Theatre, with headliner Chad Vangaalen October 1. Fans can also get a look at the creative process with open studio sessions the afternoon of Friday, September 30 in The Banff Centre’s Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Building.