The Strumbellas: Indie Folk Rock's Spirited Collective

The Strumbellas are a Canadian indie folk rock band known for their anthemic, spirit-lifting sound. Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, the group achieved international recognition with their chart-topping single "Spirits," a multi-platinum hit that propelled their 2016 album Hope to significant commercial success.

Early career

Formed in 2008, The Strumbellas began as a collaborative project in Toronto's vibrant music scene. Their early sound blended folk, rock, and alt-country, leading to the independent release of their self-titled debut EP in 2009, which helped them build a grassroots following across Canada.

Breakthrough

The band's major breakthrough arrived in 2016 with the release of their third studio album, Hope, on the Glassnote Records label. The album's lead single, Spirits, became a global phenomenon, reaching number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in the United States and achieving multi-platinum certifications in several countries, including a diamond certification in Canada.

Key tracks

Spirits - This chart-topping anthem defined the band's career with its infectious "I got guns in my head" refrain and won the Juno Award for Single of the Year in 2017.

We Don't Know - A key track from the Hope album that showcases the band's signature blend of melancholic lyrics with uplifting, folk-rock instrumentation.

Salvation - This song from their 2013 album We Still Move on Dance Floors won the Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year, signaling early critical acclaim.

Running Scared - A later single that demonstrates the band's continued evolution, maintaining their anthemic quality while exploring a slightly more polished pop-rock production.

The success of Hope established The Strumbellas as mainstays on the North American festival circuit. They have since released subsequent albums like 2019's Rattlesnake and 2022's Part Time Believer, continuing to refine their blend of folk-rock energy and introspective songwriting. Their music frequently explores themes of anxiety, hope, and resilience, connecting deeply with a wide audience.

Fans of The Strumbellas' uplifting folk-rock may also enjoy the heartfelt anthems of The Lumineers. For a similar blend of folk storytelling and rock energy, explore Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros. The Canadian indie rock scene also offers Arkells, who share a knack for crafting communal, sing-along choruses. The orchestral folk-pop approach of Of Monsters and Men provides another compelling parallel.

The Strumbellas' catalog, from their grassroots folk beginnings to their chart-conquering anthems, receives regular airplay on a variety of stations, including alternative rock and modern indie radio formats that champion guitar-driven, melodic music.

Listeners can discover the spirited music of The Strumbellas through the radio stations featured on onairium.com, where their uplifting folk-rock anthems are a staple of the curated playlists.