Olenka and the Autumn Lovers
Encyclopedia
Olenka and the Autumn Lovers (O&AL) are an active indie folk
band based out of London, Ontario
.
and folk music
, and Eastern European folk. Named after Krakus' favourite season, the Autumn Lovers have included a long list of musicians based in the London scene. The band's use of diverse instruments (including cello, violin, accordion, trumpet, saxophone, cricket bat, lap steel, mandolin, and glockenspiel) provide a unique musical backdrop to Krakus' songwriting.
O&AL was formed in early 2008. To date, Olenka and the Autumn Lovers have released two full-length albums (And Now We Sing in 2010 and a self-titled album in 2008), as well as two sixty-song EPs: the dark Warsaw Girl and the country-influenced Papillonette. The band's 2008 full-length album was awarded Local Album of the Year by the University of Western Ontario
's campus radio station CHRW-FM
. The band has received extensive college radio play across Ontario, and were featured nationwide on CBC Radio
programs Radio 2 Drive
, Q
(including a live, in-studio performance), and numerous provincial programs. Olenka has also appeared on CBC's Ontario Morning
program, discussing both her music, her athletic aspirations, and her work with the Open House Arts Collective
.
Olenka and the Autumn Lovers have toured both East and West in Canada as a full band or string trio, while Krakus has performed extensively as the Canadian west coast. In addition to performing, the band was also featured in numerous festivals including NXNE, Pop Montreal, Halifax Pop Explosion, CMW, Stereophonic, In The Dead Of Winter, In The Land Of The Dead, Home County, and London Ontario Live Arts Festival
(LOLA), a three day, outdoor indie music festival in the heart of London, Ontario.
In the summer 2010 the Autumn Lovers were busy. Their second album, And Now We Sting, which was released in October 2010. The album was recorded by Andy Magoffin
at The House of Miracles, with additional recordings by Simon Larochette at the London Music Club. It was mixed by Andy Magoffin and Simon Larochette, and mastered by Joao Carvalho at JCM.
Indie folk
Indie folk is a music genre that arose in the 1990s from singer/songwriters in the indie rock community showing heavy influences from folk music scenes of the 50s, 60s and early 70s, country music, and indie rock. A few early artists included Lou Barlow, Beck, Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith...
band based out of London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
.
Style and history
Fronted by Polish actress Olenka Krakus, the band's sound is mix of orchestral folk pop with elements reminiscent of classic countryCountry music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, and Eastern European folk. Named after Krakus' favourite season, the Autumn Lovers have included a long list of musicians based in the London scene. The band's use of diverse instruments (including cello, violin, accordion, trumpet, saxophone, cricket bat, lap steel, mandolin, and glockenspiel) provide a unique musical backdrop to Krakus' songwriting.
O&AL was formed in early 2008. To date, Olenka and the Autumn Lovers have released two full-length albums (And Now We Sing in 2010 and a self-titled album in 2008), as well as two sixty-song EPs: the dark Warsaw Girl and the country-influenced Papillonette. The band's 2008 full-length album was awarded Local Album of the Year by the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
's campus radio station CHRW-FM
CHRW-FM
CHRW-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 94.9 FM in London, Ontario. It is licensed as a community-based campus radio station by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission...
. The band has received extensive college radio play across Ontario, and were featured nationwide on CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
programs Radio 2 Drive
Radio 2 Drive
Radio 2 Drive is the afternoon program on CBC Radio 2 in Canada, launched September 2, 2008.On air from 3:30-7 pm, it is hosted by Rich Terfry, also known as Buck 65. The program airs a "mix of current singer-songwriters, roots and urban music."...
, Q
Q (radio show)
Q is a Canadian radio show, which airs on CBC Radio One. Hosted by Jian Ghomeshi, the program is a national arts magazine show. The program is also now syndicated to public radio stations in the United States through Public Radio International....
(including a live, in-studio performance), and numerous provincial programs. Olenka has also appeared on CBC's Ontario Morning
Ontario Morning
Ontario Morning is a Canadian radio program, which airs on most CBC Radio One transmitters in Southern Ontario except for the originating stations in Toronto, Ottawa and Windsor....
program, discussing both her music, her athletic aspirations, and her work with the Open House Arts Collective
Open House Arts Collective
The Open House Arts Collective is a group of artists, musicians, and art enthusiasts based in London, Ontario. The group is also referred to as the Oh! Arts Collective, an abbreviation of Open House...
.
Olenka and the Autumn Lovers have toured both East and West in Canada as a full band or string trio, while Krakus has performed extensively as the Canadian west coast. In addition to performing, the band was also featured in numerous festivals including NXNE, Pop Montreal, Halifax Pop Explosion, CMW, Stereophonic, In The Dead Of Winter, In The Land Of The Dead, Home County, and London Ontario Live Arts Festival
London Ontario Live Arts Festival
The London Ontario Live Arts Festival also known as LOLA fest, takes place every year in London, Ontario Canada, the third week of September, in its downtown core. The festival is not a music festival but a hugely imaginative live arts festival from well-known and emerging artists...
(LOLA), a three day, outdoor indie music festival in the heart of London, Ontario.
In the summer 2010 the Autumn Lovers were busy. Their second album, And Now We Sting, which was released in October 2010. The album was recorded by Andy Magoffin
Andy Magoffin
Joel Andrew Magoffin, best known as Andy Magoffin, is a Canadian musician and record producer. He is the songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist for the indie rock band Two-Minute Miracles and the bass guitarist for Raised by Swans....
at The House of Miracles, with additional recordings by Simon Larochette at the London Music Club. It was mixed by Andy Magoffin and Simon Larochette, and mastered by Joao Carvalho at JCM.
Band members
- Olenka Krakus - Lead vocal, classical guitar
- Sara Froese - Violin, backing vocals
- Simon Larochette - Electric guitar, bass, lap steel, mandolin, trumpet
- Kelly Wallraff - Cello, backing vocals
- Evan Brodie - Bass, electric guitar
- Jeff Moon - Drums
Albums
- May 2008: Warsaw Girl EP (independent)
- November 2008: Olenka and the Autumn Lovers LP (self-titled, independent)
- November 2008: Papillonette EP (independent)
- April 2009: Papillonette EP: reissue (independent w/ the help of the Open House Arts CollectiveOpen House Arts CollectiveThe Open House Arts Collective is a group of artists, musicians, and art enthusiasts based in London, Ontario. The group is also referred to as the Oh! Arts Collective, an abbreviation of Open House...
) - May 2010: Olenka and the Autumn Lovers LP: reissue (independent w/ the help of the Open House Arts CollectiveOpen House Arts CollectiveThe Open House Arts Collective is a group of artists, musicians, and art enthusiasts based in London, Ontario. The group is also referred to as the Oh! Arts Collective, an abbreviation of Open House...
) - October 2010: And Now We Sing (independent w/ the help of the Open House Arts CollectiveOpen House Arts CollectiveThe Open House Arts Collective is a group of artists, musicians, and art enthusiasts based in London, Ontario. The group is also referred to as the Oh! Arts Collective, an abbreviation of Open House...
)
Contributions
- March 2009: OH! Compilation One (Open House Arts CollectiveOpen House Arts CollectiveThe Open House Arts Collective is a group of artists, musicians, and art enthusiasts based in London, Ontario. The group is also referred to as the Oh! Arts Collective, an abbreviation of Open House...
, compilation) song -"The Decline" - November 2010: OH! Compilation Two (Open House Arts CollectiveOpen House Arts CollectiveThe Open House Arts Collective is a group of artists, musicians, and art enthusiasts based in London, Ontario. The group is also referred to as the Oh! Arts Collective, an abbreviation of Open House...
, compilation) song -"Sparrow"