Pressgang Mutiny / Across the Western Ocean
Release Date: Feb. 5, 2021
Label: Independent
Genre: Folk / Sea Shanty
Trad. Arr. by Pressgang Mutiny (MAPL/SOCAN)
Recorded by Aaron Comeau
at The Trailer, Toronto ON
pressgangmutiny.com
Bandcamp
YouTube
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram: @pressgangmutiny
DOWNLOADS
One-Sheet (PDF)
Press Photo #1 (JPG)
Press Photo #2 (JPG)
Album Cover Art (JPG)
Full Album (WAV) [Contact for password]
The sea shanty craze of early 2021 caught everyone by surprise, but not the members of Pressgang Mutiny. The Toronto quartet has actually been keeping the tradition alive since forming in 2013, performing both traditional material and putting a sea shanty spin on a range of contemporary songs.
In fact, the group had its sophomore album Across The Western Ocean in the can long before the first sea shanty hit Tik Tok, meaning the timing couldn’t be more ideal for it to be officially released in Canada.
Across the Western Ocean balances the tight harmonies and ruggedness that has made Pressgang Mutiny a festival favourite across North America and Europe. The album’s 13 tracks offer a fresh and relevant take on sea music, combining traditional shanty work songs with contemporary pieces by Jonathan Byrd, Martin Green, and Anais Mitchell.
James McKie, Richard Kott, Tim Pyron and Stefan Read have developed Pressgang Mutiny out of a love of sea shanties, as well as Tim and Stefan’s work as tall ship sailors. They are dedicated to showcasing a vital tradition of work songs that represents the world’s first truly multicultural music to new and familiar audiences alike, all while celebrating the joy and connection of group singing.
“A gutsy recording that deserves to break out of its niche market.”
Ian Robb, Canadian Folk Music Awards / Best Traditional Singer recipient