Kitchener/Hamilton ON pop trio SPIRITS have had a busy past few months and things are about to get a lot busier. The band, who were voted both “Best Local Band” and “Band Most Likely To Make It Big” in the Kitchener/Guelph ON based ECHO WEEKLY’s Best of 2009 Reader’s Poll released yesterday, have played a number of high profile shows as of late with the likes of the PIXIES, HAPPY MONDAYS and PSYCHEDELIC FURS. They have now been invited overseas and in November will be making their first ever international performances in South Africa.

SPIRITS will be the main support act for the South African band THE PARLOTONES, who are currently the best selling pop band in the South African music scene. The two shows that SPIRITS will support them on will be in front of crowds of approximately 10,000 (Cape Town) and 19,000 (Johannesburg). SPIRITS will also become the first Sonic Unyon act to play a show in the continent of Africa.

Before the band leaves for South Africa in November, they have one more local show in Ontario, headlining a Halloween bill at Hamilton’s Club Absinthe on October 31st. All confirmed tour dates are listed below:

SPIRITS
Oct 31  Hamilton ON @ Club Absinthe
Nov 13 Cape Town, South Africa @ Grand West Arena*
Nov 14 Johannesburg, South Africa @ Coca-Cola Dome*
* w/ THE PARLOTONES
More dates to be announced soon

Welcome to our new website.  We’re excited to announce that today marks the official release of our debut self-titled LP!  You can pick up a copy of it online at Sonic Unyon as well as iTunes.  Also feel free to stream some songs for free over at  MySpace.

Here are a few reviews from the secret show we played with the Pixies…

From Exclaim.ca:
“When Spirits singer Brad Germain couldn’t help but blurt out early in his band’s set, “Did that just really fucking happen?” he was only echoing the thoughts of the other 250 fans who got to witness a surprise club performance by the Pixies. Ostensibly a warm-up for their Virgin Fest set the following day, as well as their upcoming Doolittle tour, the night managed to be a well-kept secret, even though it was intended to mark the launch of the self-titled debut album by hometown favourites Spirits.

Composed of former Marble Index front-man Germain, along with ex-Miniatures Ian Smith on guitar and Nick Skalkos on drums, the trio did an admirable job following their heroes, with a tight and animated run-through of the album’s ten tracks. Straddling the line between dance pop and stadium rock, tracks like “Controlled Wildfires” and “When the Sun Gets in My Eyes” are can’t-miss hits, and the band showed that they can be just as potent on stage.”

and from CHARTattack.com:
“…The Pixies’ appearance was a closely guarded secret right up until the moment they hit the stage. In the weeks prior to the event local music industry insiders were invited to what was alternately being billed as an album release showcase for Spirits, the new ’80s-tastic sounding band fronted by Brad Germain of The Marble Index, and/or as a launch party for the International Tour & Tech Academy…

For their part, Spirits seemed less intimidated than excited at the daunting prospect of following the Pixies. Even the lengthy almost hour-long changeover required to remove the Pixies stadium show-worthy stacks of Marshall amps and other gear didn’t dampen the band’s enthusiasm as they flung themselves into songs from their self-titled debut which is set for a Sept. 29 release…”

For immediate release:

SPIRITS Sign To Sonic Unyon, Debut Album Out in September.

Sonic Unyon is pleased to announce the signing of Southern Ontario pop trio SPIRITS to the label roster. Originally conceived as a studio side project of Ian Smith of THE MINIATURES and THE MARBLE INDEX’s Brad Germain, the band, which also includes drummer Nick Skalkos, has transformed into a regular gigging act.

“When Brad and I first got together to write – we originally did so with no long term or specific intentions – the process was effortless,” says Smith. “The way we approached the recording of this album was completely different from any of our other projects. This really is an indie record in the true sense of the word: it is completely self-funded and self-produced.”

“We wanted to make music that is different in scale and scope than our other projects,” adds Germain. “Something to reflect our love of bands like NEW ORDER, DURAN DURAN, HUMAN LEAGUE, THE SPOONS, HALL AND OATES, etc. Songs with more obvious pop hooks that are fun.”

The debut album by SPIRITS will be self-titled and is set for release on Sonic Unyon in September of this year. Working with Sonic Unyon is something that the band is also very excited about. “Sonic Unyon has always been a label I admired and I am really happy we are a part of it,” says Germain. “Most of my first live show experiences were Sonic Unyon shows.” “We’re excited to see the record come out,” adds Smith. “Sonic Unyon has a long history and we’re glad to be joining the family of such a great roster of bands.”

The band will be showcasing at this year’s NXNE Festival. They will be playing Saturday, June 20th at the Reverb (9 PM set) as part of an SL Feldman showcase.