Wayfinding’s debut performance took place at the 2022 Calgary Folk Music Festival and they are quickly building a receptive audience for an anticipated release. The band, which includes musician/artist Cassia Hardy (guitar), Marek Tyler (drums), Ryan Beattie (vocals/guitar), and Matthew Cardinal (bass/keys), is somewhat enigmatic and induced by the current moment and nature of the world around us. We are here for it, supporting each through each chord change and chorus and playing songs together.

With a mix of matter-of-fact narratives and off-kilter vocals, which generally float above a rubbery mix of synthesized tones, electronic blips, and dreamy guitars, the effect in Wayfinding is genuinely hypnotic and alluring. Subtle percussion, synth soundscapes and melodic bass playing are an ideal complement to the winding chord progressions, keeping the listener on track through each unexpected curve.

Cardinal and Tyler’s other project, nêhiyawak, received both Polaris Music Prize and JUNO Award nominations, and they bring a wealth of creative history to this new endeavour. As the creative driver behind Chet and Himalayan Bear, Ryan Beattie’s other projects have included Frog Eyes, Kathryn Calder, Ashley Shadow, and Pink Mountain Tops. Cassia Hardy (of the Polaris-shortlisted project Wares) rounds out the project.

Wayfinding has made fans of Destroyer's Dan Bejar and Islands' Nick Thorburn, among others, and one can hear why. The playfully clever and intellectually amusing, postmodern pop craft on display here seems right up their respective alleys. It's heartfelt and fascinating music, and clearly well-thought-out. One of Wayfinding's cool tricks is this expression isn't marred in preciousness. Brushed with reverb, Beattie sings emotively with witty intention but articulate and direct; his lyrics are are unsettling and mysterious, occasionally replete with wry jokes that elicit nervous laughter and bewildered surprise. And yet, Wayfinding is uniquely haunting in its honesty, demanding listeners revisit these strange and lovely songs again and again. Watch for more new music from Wayfinding in the near future.

Vocals, Guitar / Ryan Beattie
Keyboard, Synths / Matthew Cardinal
Drums / Marek Tyler
Guitar / Cassia Hardy

CONTACT

TEAM MEMBERS

MGMT - Jesse Northey - Victory Pool - jesse@victorypool.ca

Booking Agent - Jeremy Giacomin - Paquin Artist Agency jeremy@paquinartistsagency.com

Band Contact - Wayfinding - wayfindingmusic@gmail.com