so we played with the RAA at the horseshoe the other night, it was pretty incredible. Lots of pictures were taken, will post links as we find them. We also printed 75 advance copies of our EP, all of which are gone (none of us actually got copies), and we'll be making a second run of them in preparation for the actual cd release on the 21st.

Here's a little write up - plus you just might be able to download our EP here:
http://djwontyou.blogspot.com/2009/08/wilderness-of-manitoba.html

"This band really caught my attention because of their simplistic approach, resulting in beautiful music. The very first song they played featured a track of a birdsong in the background, followed by acoustic guitar (Bluebirds). Great music for when you just want to chill out, or you need help falling asleep. The band was also super cool, and told everyone to "pay what you can" for their debut EP. Also cool, they put the amount of EPs on the back i.e. they made 75, and I got #66 of this limited edition beauty. Coolie. Anyway, here it is, Hymns of Love and Spirits."

And another from mechanical forest sound:
http://mechanicalforestsound.blogspot.com/2009/08/gig-rural-alberta-advantage.html

The Horseshoe. Thursday, July 30, 2009.
Even though this was a sold out show, I was mildly surprised at how many people were out early. Although I'm sometimes one to carp about "these kids today", this was fairly decent young crowd, and fairly genteel — save for a small knot of screaming, arm-waving idiots. Perhaps this music (the commonalities of all three bands could be categorized under "The New Sincerity") just appeals to slightly more earnest people. Which might explain the robust turnout for early openers The Wilderness of Manitoba.¹ The most earnestly sincere of the evening's bands, this crew draws from the same folkie harmony-worshiping, cite-CSN-as-an-influence waters as your Fleet Foxes and your Bon Ivers.² The band's sound featured cello, banjo, ukulele and occasional keening, high falsetto. Launching with images of bluebirds singing and autumn leaves, the songs were dominated by earthy imagery and woody sounds. "We're not a very heavy band," averred singer Will Whitwham near set's end — undoubtedly true, and very much the band's blessing and curse. Even with a relatively attentive crowd, their music was eaten up a bit in this space. In a smaller, quieter venue, or out under some trees, this would fit in a little nicer. Although this isn't a style of music that totally accords with my headspace, I was drawn in some by what they're doing — especially when the harmonies hit. Not every song got over, but this band has tapped into a musical vein that could carry them along some. A nice table-setter for the night.

This one from historyjen:
http://historyjen.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-raa-hooded-fang-wilderness-of.html

The night started off appropriately lovely, with the gorgoeous vocal harmonies and instrumentation of a newer Toronto band, The Wilderness of Manitoba. Some of the members of this band had hosted the RAA at their home back in March, and Nils, Amy, and Paul must have liked what they heard then and invited the WOM to perform last night. The band seemed both comfortable and a little nervous about performing in front of so many people on the relatively large Horseshoe stage. Very quickly they created a happy, calm mood with their nature-inspired songs. At moments they reminded me of Fleet Foxes; at others, of Great Lake Swimmers. "Evening" was a set highlight, as was their last song, whose name I don't know. (Sorry, oops.) The mix was a bit off, and the instrument changes between songs took a second or two too long for my tastes, but I chalk that up to a venue like the Horseshoe not being super familiar with their vocal-heavy, acoustic sound, and the band's lack of experience in playing bigger shows. Overall, a pleasing opening set that made them a good number of new fans, no doubt. As I write this I'm listening to their first EP. It's not yet officially out, but those of us at the show got a chance to pick it up. It's great. I may listen to it all night. I look forward to seeing how this band develops.