Whitehorse

Whitehorse is a collaboration between veteran Canadian singer/songwriters Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet. Both prior to and after their marriage in 2006, the two artists maintained successful solo careers, but by 2011 had decided to pursue a new band together. Based in Hamilton, Ontario, they released their self-titled debut on Six Shooter Records in 2011. A fiery mix of Southern-inspired Americana and atmospheric rock, the album set the tone for their highly acclaimed second album, 2012's The Fate of the World Depends on This Kiss, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris Prize the following year. The year 2013 also saw the release of the covers EP The Road to Massey Hall to commemorate their first performance at the legendary Toronto venue. In a uniquely Canadian move, they issued an EP of French-language renditions of several of their songs in 2014 called Éphémère Sans Repère. Working with producer Gus Van Go, McClelland and Doucet explored a more diverse and fully realized sound on their third LP, 2015's Leave No Bridge Unburned. The album won Adult Alternative Album of the Year at the 2016 Juno Awards. That same year, the duo released a collection of blues covers called The Northern South, Vol. 1. Early in 2017, Whitehorse pursued another musical direction by incorporating hip-hop loops and electronic instrumentation for the single "Boys Like You." ~ Timothy Monger