From Nostalgic Ballads to Upbeat Anthems Their Harmonies Are Stunning

The Young Novelists Bring Quirky, Rootsy, Rocky Folk Music to Horizon Stage on January 25

The Young Novelists are a Toronto-based band fronted by husband and wife Graydon James and Laura Spink. Since 2009 they have played stages across the U.S. and Canada, released four full-length albums, won numerous awards, and received continuous praise for their unmatched, effortless harmonies. With a sound that has been compared to everyone from The Band to ‘pre-weirdness’ Wilco, their personal mission is to create sad songs for happy people — whether that means nostalgic ballads or upbeat anthems. The Young Novelists’ ability to tell familiar stories with a modern folk edge make them, and their songs, instant classics. The Young Novelists are touring Alberta in January 2019 and will be performing at Horizon Stage on Friday, January 25 at 7:30 p.m.

When they first met, Graydon and Laura had no idea that they would be married one day — much less touring the world together. They both grew up in Ontario; she in Peterborough and he in Verona, a small eastern town with a population of a mere 1,800. They both moved to Waterloo for university, where they met via community theatre; but it wasn’t until Graydon decided to refocus his career from drummer to front man that they combined their talents musically. After recruiting some musicians, and touring the east coast as a six-piece, the band became Graydon James & The Young Novelists. Between 2011 and 2012, they released two albums: live at dublin st. church and in the year you were born. However, it soon became clear that Laura was taking on more lead vocal duties. By the time they recorded their 2015 album, made us strangers, it made the most sense to simply shorten their name to The Young Novelists. Happily,  made us strangers, landed them a Canadian Folk Music Award for New/Emerging Artist, a nomination for Vocal Group of the Year, and reached top 20 on both !earshot and Stingray Music folk charts.

2016 was a huge year for The Young Novelists — Laura quit her job as a scientist, they packed their things (and their five year old son Simon), and went on a massive North American tour. After over 100 shows, including a 10-week stint on the road, the pair returned to Toronto to start working on their next album and draw inspiration from their travels. They recorded their 2018 album, in city & country, with the help of JUNO-winning producer Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, Leonard Cohen, The Wooden Sky). Recorded at Bilerman’s Hotel2Tango studios in Montreal, the duo returned to their classic him-and-her vocals, with Graydon playing acoustic guitar and Laura on percussion and vibraphone. 

Don’t miss The Young Novelists at Horizon Stage on Friday, January 25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for Adults and $30 for Students and Seniors and may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online through Ticketpro.ca.

“Reminiscent of Canadian heavyweights such as k.d. lang, Cowboy Junkies, the Sadies and, in a way, Bruce Cockburn.”

~ PopMatters

“Like the Decemberists but rockier and less quirky, like Americana but quirkier and rockier, a talented Toronto outfit.”

~ rock nyc

“beautiful, soaring, rootsy Canadiana”

~ herohill