The Bates Motel

The last couple of months have been a blur of sound checks, divine stage fashion [if I may say so] and continuing to find myself in the BEST company. In particular I want to immortalize these photos that @joelgale.imaging took at the @freshsnowmusic gig feat. @trentemoeller . Such a joy to contribute chin guitar to my longtime FS buds Tim, Jon, Brad and Andy. There might just be a new album on the way 🤐 (am I allowed to say that?) #longlivethechinguitar #jazzlife #sixstringelectricviolin #freshsnow #KingTwinkRidesAgain

The 2nd single [Windbourne Sorcery I] from our upcoming @volurdoom album [Breathless Spirit, avail. Aug 8] is now streaming on alllllllll the sacrificial art streaming platforms. Lucas @bethegar took the lead composer role on this one, influenced by his tanbur studies with his maestro Reza Houshvar. I took electric violin to new uncanny heights & @_cares cast sonic spells over everything. If what you hear makes you feel, consider supporting us by: A) Pre-ordering the physical vinyl — the diehard package includes a bonus 7” and specially formulated tea by @helenandhildegard to heighten your listening experience. Order now via @black_throne_productions B) Attending our release show on Aug 8, @tranzac292 presented by @burndownthecapital , featuring 20 years of @nadjaluv Photo by @dexter_apogean - an outtake used unapologetically without the permission of @classicalbumslive #yearofthegargoyle

You're listening to "Death in Solitude" ‘Breathless Spirit’ is OUT NOW! Enjoy the collaborative album from Toronto’s 'violin-weilding prophets of blackened doom/folk/jazzdoom' @volurdoom and ‘stressful electronic music’ makers @_cares !  Be sure to head over to our webshop to grab your limited edition copy of ‘Breathless Spirit’ on 180g black vinyl with reverse board finish jacket and insert, and a 7" bonus track featuring a b-side from Bowed Arts. “Breathless Spirit draws inspiration from Icelandic myth. It’s both experimental and grounded in timeless metal benchmarks…There are moments of striking beauty and terror as well as superb dynamics and nuance.” - Decibel Magazine  Völur is @lauracbates - violin, electric violin, viola, cymbals, and vocals @bethegar - electric bass, double bass, harmonium, keyboards, tanbur, clarinet, bass clarinet, and vocals Justin Ruppel - drums and percussion Cares is James Beardmore - Synthesizers, keyboards, sound design, and production Produced by Völur & James Beardmore Recorded between February 2020 and September 2023 at Bilskirnir Studios and The Bates Motel by Völur and at Marmaduke Studios in Toronto, Ontario by Ruben Huizenga Mixed by @thecrowsnestmusic at @halomusichamilton Mastered by @reubenghose at Mojito Mastering All music written by Völur and Cares Lyrics by Lucas Gadke and Laura C. Bates Breathless Spirit stone cut print by Saimaiyu Akesuk with permission of Dorset Fine Arts @dorsetfinearts Layout and design by @chimerenoire #blackthroneproductions #independantrecordlabel  #stonermetalband #hardrock #psychedelicrock #psychedelic #70smusic #70srock #music #rock #stonerrockmusic #rockmusic #musician #musicianlife #diy #stonerdoom #heavymetal #heavyrock #rockandroll #guitar #guitarplayer #bass #bassplayer #drummer #occult #horror #gothic #torontoevents #toronto #concert

Your fave gargoyle is coming out of goth remission to play Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig with Lux Interna. Amsterdam first🇳🇱, then rehearsals in Berlin 🇩🇪…. Signal/Whatsapp/messenger etc. 🖤🖤🖤 #yearofthegargoyle

We are proud to share Georges E. Sioui’s second single, a Huron-language ballad written in 1972 “Ahouantahan Nesa Yeein”, from his forthcoming debut album For All Tomorrows. The septuagenarian Huron-Wyandot polyglot, poet, essayist, and songwriter releases For All Tomorrows via Watch That Ends the Night on May 29th. You can pre-order the album via our bancamp. The melancholic, “Ahouantahan Nesa Yeein,” sees Sioui tracing long, melismatic vocal phrases that not only defy his age but almost seems to shrug off the fact that he grapples with the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. His generous, intricate melodies variously flow and crawl chromatically across a spacious arrangement with Laura Bates’ violin providing wordless replies. Before ever entering a recording studio, Sioui led an extraordinary life. Born in Wendake, Quebec (at that time called Village-des-Hurons), Sioui is the first Canadian person of Indigenous heritage to have earned a Doctoral Degree in History. He initiated and co-defended the Sioui Case at the Supreme Court of Canada, setting an important precedent for interpretations of Indigenous treaty rights and Native status within Canada. He is a world-renowned speaker on the history, philosophy, spirituality, and education of Aboriginal peoples. For All Tomorrows is a collection of eleven songs that Sioui composed between 1972 and 1999. Sioui sings in English and French, but his work also foregrounds Huron, his ancestral language. Sioui seeks to honour the spirit of the language through his songs. Written by Georges E. Sioui in 1972 Produced by @michaelcloudduguay Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Andy Magoffin at the @house_of_miracles Cambridge ON Georges E. Sioui - voice @lauracbates - violin @michaelcloudduguay - piano, synth, vibraphone @fournierplaysbass - upright bass @nickfraserthedrummer - drums @house_of_miracles - guitar, alto bugle, baritone, tuba @masallamasaya - percussion Material transcribed by Alex Fournier + Nastasha Blackwood Ensemble assembled by @thebandpicastro Watch That Ends The Night Records WTETN0017 Photos by @jeffari We acknowledge the support of @canada.council

What a RUSH to have @rush for open for me last Sunday! 😜 A treat to play a wee part in the Joni Mitchell tribute @thejunoawards feat. @officialsarahmclachlan & @allisonrussellmusic How bonkers to have been on stage with the LEGEND @jonimitchell & @markjcarney 🤯🤩 + to share this moment with the @bowedarts team (@mayakilltron @alexandrakmcmaster @maximedespax_violist ) Hails to Erica McMaster + the crew + wranglers and MUAs. 🏆 #junos2026 #JunoAwards #stringfam #jonimitchell

80 / 20 UNSEEN / SEEN PRIVATE / PUBLIC UNFILTERED / ON DISPLAY OFF RECORD / RENDERED @thejunoawards soon #BothSides #JunoAwards #Junos2026 #CanadianMusic #Violinist

Marking just abour 5 months since the release of ‘Breathless Spirit,’ the collaborative album from Toronto’s 'violin-weilding prophets of blackened doom/folk/jazzdoom' @volurdoom and ‘stressful electronic music’ makers @_cares . If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the physical copies of the album on the Black Throne webshop to add to your vinyl collection! We are also happy to announce their tea that was originally bundle only will soon be available as an individual item! Just in time as the tundra settles in. “Does Doom need guitars? Is “heavy” necessarily defined by the riffs? Is the distorted sound of the six-string combined with a slow tempo the definition of Doom? Do the heaviest riffs result in the heaviest possible music? Listen to Breathless Spirit and you will see that the answer to all these questions is NO” – Veil of Sound  Völur is @lauracbates - violin, electric violin, viola, cymbals, and vocals @bethegar - electric bass, double bass, harmonium, keyboards, tanbur, clarinet, bass clarinet, and vocals Justin Ruppel - drums and percussion Cares is James Beardmore - Synthesizers, keyboards, sound design, and production #blackmetal #ambientdoom #doommetal #tea #BlackenedDoom

big easy week with best sister Jazzed to be bringing home this print by @maxseckel It is called “Listening Station” 💜⚜️💜⚜️💜

Another GOLDEN year together. So glad we could perform, record, travel, teach & celebrate together. In 2025 collectively the @bowedarts gang performed over 100 performances from our Duos, Trio & Quartet to our solo & band projects. We recorded 2 film soundtracks scored by our best pal @laaain_music - We travelled over 20,000kms & played on 3 continents. We had viral moments & even played at the opening of the World Series! We are now finishing up work on our debut album with the support of @ontarioartscouncil & can’t wait to share it with you in 2026 Thank you to our audiences, booking agents, fans & friends for supporting your neighbourhood equitable string gang! We couldn’t do all this without you! Cheers to the holidays & to a PLATINUM 2026 ❤️ Amber, Laura, & Maya #strings #livemusic #trio

Today is the Solstice—the longest night. 🌒 What better way to honour this turning of the wheel, and the women who light our lives, than by sharing this work—manifested on the hottest day of summer. Danced and conjured by choreographer Martha Adem, filmed, directed, and edited by Megan Tolme. This song is “Windbourne Sorcery I” off our 2025 release “Breathless Spirit” in collaboration with @_cares This track features Lucas playing the tanbur. It’s a three-stringed instrument popular in Iran, especially in the Kurdistan region in the western mountains. It is mostly composed in 10/8 time (count of 3-2-2-3,) which is common in Kurdish music. It was written while listening to tanbur player Ali Akbar Moradi and “Spirit of Eden” by Talk Talk. #SolsticeRitual #Disir #TurningOfTheWheel #RitualMusic #DarkFolk

Coming in HOT with the weird Aunt/Cousin vibes this year and can’t wait to meet all the fresh Bates’ babies!