Blue Hawaii, Arbutus Records and many of their Montreal counter-parts all began with the same breath in early 2010. To date they’ve released an 8 song EP: in May of that year, Blooming Summer (Arbutus Records 2010) was recorded following the pair’s travels in Central America. It frames a time of warmth and novelty, featuring dense female harmonies, tape saturated synths, guitars and drum machines. Eventually Ra– returned to her role in BRAIDS, touring constantly, while Ag–moved to Europe, treading deeper into dance music, electronics, and production.

The two decided to make Untogether in 2012; they began recording on New Years Day in Vancouver and intermittently worked on the project until summer broke in Montreal. The music followed their winter in Canada, it became colder, more introspective. It again captured a time and place, but instead of a dense saturation of love and excitement, this record reflects the vast world of self-awareness and delicacy. It takes for its subject the question of belonging, despite overwhelming space.

SXSW

3/15 – Arbutus x M for MTL @ Swan Dive (10:20PM)
3/16 – PORTALS @ Hype Hotel (3PM)

With Doldrums & Sean Nicholas Savage

3/20 – Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room
3/21 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
3/22 – Los Angeles, CA – Bootleg Bar

With Purity Ring

4/2 – Ottawa, ON – Ritual Nightclub
4/3 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
4/4 – Millvale, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre
4/5 – Oberlin, OH – Oberlin College
4/6 – St. Louis, MO – Plush
4/7 – Lawrence, KS – The Granada Theatre
4/9 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
4/10 – Salt Lake City, UT- Urban Lounge
4/15 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
4/16 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
4/18 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
4/23 – Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
4/24 – Seattle, WA – Neptune
4/25 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
4/27 – Calgary, AB – The Republik
4/30 – Saskatoon, AB – Louis Pub
5/1 – Winnipeg, SK – WECC
5/2 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
5/3 – Chicago, IL – Metro
5/4 – Pontiac, MI – Crofoot Ballroom

bluehawaii.bandcamp.com

arbutusrecords.com