"The album’s arrangements, too, are perfect in their structures and timing. The listener is lulled into each track’s sound and allowed to enjoy it just long enough, before being caught off guard by a switch to something new, that while is completely different, still manages to keep with the overarching mood.." - Interrobang - Nov. 2, 2009 - London, Ontario
"...their cinematic instrumentals combine the sweeping beauty of composer Ennio Morricone's dusty soundtracks with the fluttery arpeggios and romantic melancholy of European gypsy-folk, with dark dashes of post-rock's hypnotic precision for good measure. Sort of East Meets West Meets The Future in The Past, if that makes sense. Listen to this three-cut EP and it will." - Winnipeg Sun Media - September 2009 - Winnipeg, Manitoba
"From the riding-high tones of Ghost of a Thousand Battles to the graceful and spellbinding Cathedral of Leaves and finally the haunting and masterfully conceived War, each epic track is loaded with atmospheric tension and beautiful dramatic intensity." - Stylus Mag - University Of Winnipeg - Oct. 2009 - Winnipeg, Manitoba
"The E.P. rolls on and, like the score of a Sergio Leonne flick, peters in and out of catchy gallops, slow builds and dramatic surges...it’s a fantastic album, particularly for those fans of Joanna Newsom or Black Mountain..." - The Manito …
"The album’s arrangements, too, are perfect in their structures and timing. The listener is lulled into each track’s sound and allowed to enjoy it just long enough, before being caught off guard by a switch to something new, that while is completely different, still manages to keep with the overarching mood.." - Interrobang - Nov. 2, 2009 - London, Ontario
"...their cinematic instrumentals combine the sweeping beauty of composer Ennio Morricone's dusty soundtracks with the fluttery arpeggios and romantic melancholy of European gypsy-folk, with dark dashes of post-rock's hypnotic precision for good measure. Sort of East Meets West Meets The Future in The Past, if that makes sense. Listen to this three-cut EP and it will." - Winnipeg Sun Media - September 2009 - Winnipeg, Manitoba
"From the riding-high tones of Ghost of a Thousand Battles to the graceful and spellbinding Cathedral of Leaves and finally the haunting and masterfully conceived War, each epic track is loaded with atmospheric tension and beautiful dramatic intensity." - Stylus Mag - University Of Winnipeg - Oct. 2009 - Winnipeg, Manitoba
"The E.P. rolls on and, like the score of a Sergio Leonne flick, peters in and out of catchy gallops, slow builds and dramatic surges...it’s a fantastic album, particularly for those fans of Joanna Newsom or Black Mountain..." - The Manitoban - University of Manitoba - Sept 2009 - Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Dead Letters have come to weave a soundtrack for the sadness, violence and the haunting beauty of the human condition. Jim Demos and Alex Janusz recognized in each other a profound interest and love for the soundtracks and compositions of Ennio Morricone. After lengthy musical exploration and trial by fire writing and performing, The Dead Letters were born.
Jim Demos' blood runs deep with the pride and admiration for the folk music of his Greek heritage. As a young child Demos was indoctrinated with the exotic sounds of Demotika and Rembetika music. These traditional styles of greek music have found a permanent home in his consciousness and have influenced his fluid guitar style. His love for Morricone, post rock, Balkan and other gypsy styles can be heard. Loudly.
Alexander Heaton Janusz came into this world born a guitar player. With his secret love for old-time country, Morriconian licks and a heavy dose of 60's influenced psychedelic rock, he is the master of the western side of the band. Though it is sometimes said that given the position of the moon in the lunar cycle, polish spirits will possess his heart and hands, aligning him with the Balkan side of the band.
Deciding to go the DIY route the group recorded and produced their self-titled E.P. Half of it was recorded in the attic of an old house in Winnipeg and the other in a rehearsal space in Montreal located in the heart of Petite Italy. The E.P has appeared on numerous college radio charts across Canada and the U.S.A landing them a spot on the CMJ top 200 and Canada's equivalent Earshot top 200.
From the first track “Ghost Of A Thousand Battles” to its last “War” this E.P truly conjures up the sound and emotion of a wild west gunfight led by a band of gypsies, with saddles blazing, on the coast of the Mediterranean. It is rounded out by drummer Joe fiola and Benoit Morrier on a bass instrument called a Guitarrón common amongst Mariachi bands.
The Dead Letters can be seen performing and have performed in many different configurations. As a big ensemble with drums, bass, piano, horns, strings and guitars. As an acoustic trio comprised of 2 guitars and viola or even as a guitar duo holding down alternate melodies and rhythms with looping techniques and other effects. The compositions and performances are always unique and powerful in any of these formations.
Based out of Winnipeg and Montreal, Canada, The Dead Letters music can be described as a Spaghetti Western mixed up in a Balkan blender. Their sound is painted on a wide open canvas with classical sounding tints, vaudevillian hues and swathes of unhinged guitar. Hints of baroque and sprinkles of surf can all be heard on top of big mountains echoing countrified balkan style melodies. The trio's compositions are the soundtracks to sadness, heartache, pain, suffering, war, bloodshed, inspiration, happiness, dreams, hope and revolution.
