Great Lake Swimmers Sign With Nettwerk For New Album

Toronto based folk-rockers Great Lake Swimmers have leapt into the Nettwerk pool for the March 27 release of their new Ongiara album. The band consists of singer/songwriter and leader Tony Dekker on vocals and guitar, Erik Arnesen on banjo and electric guitar and Colin Huebert on drums and percussion. The LP, recorded at the Aeolian Hall in London, Ontario, will be the third for the Swimmers. It comes on the heels of 2005's critically acclaimed Bodies And Minds and their 2003 self-titled debut.

"We've always been big admirers of the tremendous songs and haunting voice of Tony Dekker in the Great Lake Swimmers," says Nettwerk co-founder Mark Jowett. "Thus, I can speak for all of Nettwerk in saying how proud and excited we are to be working with an artist whose music we believe will move many people."

Ongiara is named after the Toronto Harbour boat that ferried the band to their first recording sessions on Toronto Island with producer Dale Morningstar. The new record — which includes elements of indie folk, roots music and alt.country pop — features guest appearances by singer/songwriters Serena Ryder and Sarah Harmer, Final Fantasy's Owen Pallett and Blue Rodeo's Bob Egan.

Here are Great Lake Swimmers' tour dates:
March 15 Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo
March 16 Wakefield, QC @ Blacksheep Inn
March 17 Kingston, ON @ The Grad Club
March 23 Hamilton, ON @ Pepper Jack's
March 24 Brantford, ON @ The Ford Plant
March 25 Sault Ste. Marie, ON @ Loplops Gallery
March 27 Winnipeg, MB @ West End Cultural Centre
March 28 Saskatoon, SK @ Amigo's
March 29 Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room
March 30 Calgary, AB @ Liberty Lounge
March 31 Canmore, AB @ Canmore Hotel
April 5 Vancouver, BC @ Richard's On Richards
April 6 Victoria, BC @ Lucky Bar
April 12 London, ON @ Aeolian Hall
April 14 Toronto, ON @ Church Of The Redeemer (two shows)

Here are the songs on Ongiara:
"Your Rocky Spine"
"Backstage With The Modern Dancers"
"Catcher Song"
"Changing Colours"
"There Is A Light"
"Put There By The Land"
"I Am Part Of A Large Family"
"Where In The World Are You"
"Passenger Song"
"I Became Awake"