Calgary, AB

Sparse, haunting arrangements, effortless hooks, organic vocals and frank lyrics take you on an adventure into the unknown. From his debut album in 2006 to No Man is Land and 2015’s Faebles, Ellestad and his restless artistic soul have daringly tackled intensely personal feelings and darkness to highlight their universality. From soaring, full-band formats to sparse orchestration and hushed vocals, he creates a moodiness and brooding energy that capture subdued instrumentation. Delicacy is expressed in soft guitar and piano embellishments. Folk guitar loops in themes that deal with picking up the pieces. Ellestad exemplifies how modern orchestral folk can convey a solid lyric and carry emotional weight.