The High Dials
Biography

The High Dials are a psychedelic pop band from Montreal, Canada. Unabashed devotees of classic sounds and songwriting from the 60s through the 80s, their varied music ranges through anthemic power-pop, shoegazey ambience and melancholic folk balladry.

The High Dials announced themselves in 2003 with A New Devotion (Rainbow Quartz Records). Part S.F. Sorrow, part Flaming Lips and a whole lot of Revolver-era Beatles, the upbeat, 18-song (!) concept record featured sitar, harpsichords and a hidden science-fiction story. War of the Wakening Phantoms (2005) was their lovesick follow-up, full of the magic and melancholy of some haunted world. Produced by Joseph Donovan (the Dears, Sam Roberts) and mixed by Dave Bianco (Tom Petty, Teenage Fanclub), it won rave reviews in North America and the UK. The album went to number one on Canadian college radio charts and The High Dials supported the release as tour partners for both Brian Jonestown Massacre and Neko Case.

Their third album, Moon Country (2008), may be their best work to date. Droning dance grooves, spaced-out rock anthems and wistful love songs from the edge of a distant cosmic beach! As a nod to the classic LP in an Mp3 age, the release is divided into two sides, A and B. Begun in a remote stone cottage in Ireland, “Moon Country” is a must for anyone who loves the album as endangered art form!

For more information: www.thehighdials.net

The High Dials are:

Trevor Anderson: Singer/Songwriter
Robbie MacArthur: Lead Guitar
Eric Dougherty: Keyboards/Vocals
George Donoso: Drums/Vocals
Charles Prénoveau-Giguère: Bass

Press Selections:

Gorgeous, dazzling - these guys slay me again." - The Globe & Mail (Canada)

"Clever but heartfelt lyrics and gorgeous pop melodies" - Top 10 albums of 2008 - Montreal Mirror

"Arguably their best work to date... The High Dials have put their heart into this record; the lyrics are passionate and the music moving." - Soundproof Magazine

"Country-tinged '60s-ish psych-rock, with great harmonies and occasional doses of druggy drone... They are fantastic live." Top 10 albums of 2008 - Brooklyn Vegan

"Swirly psychedelic pop full of chiming guitars and dreamy vocals, swathed in echo and reverb…fuzzy space-rock and folk. Double your pleasure." - The Sun (Toronto)

"A first-rate pop group." – The Ottawa Sun

"The songwriting remains excellent…power poppers drenched in treated, layered harmonies." - 4 stars – Eye Weekly (Toronto)

"(The High Dials) erect psychedelic pillars on a strong 60s pop foundation, from acid-soaked melodies to Madchester grooves to shoegazer resound-sound" – Exclaim (Canada)

Past selections 2005-2009

"Psych pop perfection" - 8/10 NME (UK)

"The golden era of Canadian cool continues apace" - The Sun (UK)

One of 10 "must-see bands" at SXSW 2006 – The New York Post

"At times their sunburst melodies sound arena-big, at times they sound like elegies written in country churchyards next to the Hacienda club" - Recommended - SPIN

10 best albums of 2005 – Washington Post