Montreal’s Motel Raphael is on fire!
Named for an infamous — and recently burned down — local landmark, Montreal indie-folksters Motel Raphael are local darlings about to set the world ablaze.
Made up of Clara Legault (vocals and electric guitar), Emily Skahan (vocals and acoustic guitar), Maya Malkin (vocals and electric guitar), Robin Warner (bass), Afolabi Fapojuwo (drums), Livia Morris (trumpet) and Dane Stewart (vibraphone), the crew of tambourine-rattlers have packed all local festivals — Pop Montreal, and the Fringe Fest, the Ottawa Folk Fest, among others — and have gained a national army of eager fans through CBC Radio airplay of their single “Ghosts“.
All this despite only being around for a year!
Anyone who talks about “Ghosts” is obligated to mention the three-piece vocal harmonies from the three leads. If melting chocolate had a sound, this lush, bluegrass-tinged, “Female Fleet Foxes” hat-tip (as they put it themselves, in an interview) would be it.
It’s undoubtedly the standout element of a solid group.Combined with the group’s dynamic stage presence and stylish look, the sound makes Motel Raphael an appealingly warm, trendily twee, polished pop-country package. Frankly, they were made for radio — they could create a continuum between the Wailin’ Jennys and Feist in any CanCon countrified crooner playlist.
That all said, now’s the time to hop on the bandwagon! Right now, Motel Raphael are in the middle of Kickstarter crowdfunding their debut CD, set to be put in motion the minute their campaign reaches $5,000. With only a week left to the campaign, Motel Raphael should have no trouble clearing the goalposts, but anyone who’s in love with Raphael’s rhapsodies should get their wallet ready for the sweet campaign perks. To keep tabs on Motel Raphael, check out their Facebook as well.
We leave you with their debut video for “Ghosts”. Haunting harmony, don’t you think? Eh? Eh?? Is this thing on??
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLR7mQyVvH4[/youtube]//
//
M otel Raphaël is a young indie-folk-pop band from Montreal.Band members consist of Clara Legault (vocals and electric guitar), Emily Skahan (vocals and acoustic guitar), Maya Malkin (vocals and electric guitar), Robin Warner (bass), Afolabi Fapojuwo (drums), Livia Morris (trumpet) and Dane Stewart (vibraphone).Since their inception in 2012, this seven piece outfit has risen through the ranks of Montreal’s burgeoning indie scene at an astronomical pace. Headlining performances at POP Montreal, Osheaga, CMW, Fringe Fest, M for Montreal alongside ranking in CBC Music’s national Searchlight competition have garnered them comparisons to Tegan and Sara, Feist, Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons as well as unabashedly glowing praise from the press community. Lots of talent in the Motel Raphael group .
Dane Stewart a Mcgill university school of music graduate is playing the keyboard and the – Vibraphone .
Afolabi Fapojuwo an amazing and extremely talented drum player is also a McGill university school of music graduate .Since 2012 he is /was absolutely pivotal to the success of the Motel Raphael .Keep on watching Afolabi’s awe-inspiring performance troughout the 2014 Motel Raphael Fall tour !
Robin Warner a McGill Schulich School of Music graduate in Jazz performance and composition is an incredibly gifted musician. He plays the bass as if it were a lead instrument .He is known to put more than 100 percent in the organization and is/ was since 2012 intimately involved with the musical choreography of the band .
This is a Group to be watched , rising stars !! please spread the word around !