Union Duke is a Toronto quintet with a sound that is a mixture of folk, rock, country, and bluegrass. Blending these sounds perfectly, the group belts out soaring harmonies with
Biography
Union Duke is a Toronto quintet with a sound that is a mixture of folk, rock, country, and bluegrass. Blending these sounds perfectly, the group belts out soaring harmonies with three, four, and even five voices. The group’s live show is energetic, almost explosive, as sweat flies and floorboards tremble. Band members Ethan Smith, Jim McDonald, Matt Warry-Smith, Will Staunton, and Rob McLaren are hard-working troubadours, travelling back and forth across the country, playing countless shows at clubs and festivals; in the process, they have amassed fans, young and old, from coast to coast. Their debut album, Bandits & Bridges, was released in 2013 and was followed a year later with Cash & Carry. Their most recent offering, Golden Days (2016), was recorded live off the floor to capture the raw, joyful energy of their concerts. The members of Union Duke perform with infectious, foot-stomping, banjo-rambling, guitar-wailing enthusiasm. They are taking the world by storm, one captivating performance at a time, and their first-ever Folk Harbour appearance is sure to be a must-see.