Low Hanging Lights
Location
Toronto, Ontario
Website
Bio
Low Hanging Lights are a folk-punk group from Toronto, Ontario. The band's music varies from old-time folkie ruminations to more bizarre and chaotic outbursts, the latter revealing two founding members Alex Grantham and Ian Boos' upbringing amidst the mid 90s alternative rock takeover. Singer/songwriting Grantham and Bassist Boos both hail from the small, scenic town of Paris, Ontario, which could account for the storytelling qualities inherent in Grantham's writing and the band's folk sensibilities. More idiosyncratic details such as Grantham's heavy lyrical approach and Boos' punk inspired stage antics have more to do with their own respective musical voyages over the years. Grantham first tried his hand at songwriting in his late teens after developing an equal affinity for The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Daniel Johnston, while Boos carved his own path in the Brantford, ON punk circuit, releasing two albums with his band Mr. Bidet.
Low Hanging Lights was formed when Boos contacted Grantham in January 2011; one month after Grantham released his one-man-band, experimental debut album “When I Was A Boy...”. Having both recently moved to the city of Toronto, it seemed a natural progression for the two to reconvene acquaintances years later in a foreign place and play music. Initial jam sessions yielded positive results, both on a musical and personal level, and a band was formed. Singer/songwriter Kaleb Hikele (known as “The Sun Harmonic” onstage) was living with Grantham at the time, and agreed to play drums on an interim basis, until a long-term solution was found. This first iteration of Low Hanging Lights played a handful of shows around southern Ontario, culminating in The Come Together music festival near Owen Sound. During this period the band would split the set between Grantham songs and songs from The Sun Harmonic repertoire. The band started auditioning new drummers in May of 2011, until finally visual artist and friend of Boos' stepped into the role of full time drummer. This new version of Low Hanging Lights made their debut live performance at the Underdown Pub in Toronto, to a packed house and enthusiastic response.
Early Low Hanging Lights shows have left an indelible impression on audiences, showcasing a confident and chaotic group striving to forge something unique in the independent Toronto music scene.
