Getting To Know: Wide Arches
Get ready to embark on a musical journey with Wide Arches, the inaugural singer-songwriter project from the acclaimed Juno-nominated multi-instrumentalist and composer, Jacob Gorzhaltsan. His debut album, "Farewell to All the Lovely Things," is poised to captivate audiences when it hits the airwaves on September 12th, 2023. Gorzhaltsan's artistic odyssey during the challenging days of the pandemic lockdown serves as the backdrop to this release. Fueled by the therapeutic power of songwriting, he penned over fifty original compositions, a creative surge that garnered him a grant from the Toronto Arts Council. With an unwavering commitment to his craft, Gorzhaltsan delved into the world of remote home-studio recording, collaborating with fellow artists to bring his vision to life.
Reflecting on the unique process, he shares, "The entirety of the album was recorded individually by the musicians at their respective home studios." This period of exploration led Gorzhaltsan to personally invest in mastering the art of home recording, marking a three-year journey of learning, mixing, and producing—an endeavor that has culminated in a debut album rich with gratitude and musical depth. Masterfully crafted and mastered by Justin Gray of Immersive Mastering/Synthesis Sound, "Farewell to All the Lovely Things" is a testament to Gorzhaltsan's resilience and artistic evolution.
Leonard Cohen - “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye”
Canadian singer-songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen has been a huge influence on me since childhood; my parents were both huge fans of his music and his songs were on constant rotation at home. I’m a sucker for good lyrics! Cohen’s calm approach to vocalizing and his incredibly poetic writing have had a profound effect on my songwriting and singing style and the band’s overall sound.
Nick Drake - “Free Ride”
Nick Drake is another classic folk singer-songwriter that I’ve always been drawn to. I just love all the warm acoustic sounds, rich and haunting lyricism and the way his intricate (and sometimes even complex) melodies have a way of sounding so simple and singable. Definitely a big influence on the band — and can’t recommend Nick Drake more to anyone who doesn’t already know his genius!
Damien Jurado - “Percy Faith”
One of the more contemporary influences on the band’s sound is Seattle-based singer-songwriter, Damien Jurado. With a vast and growing repertoire of songs and albums, you can’t really go wrong listening to any of his records, all of which feature beautiful soundscapes and arrangements, memorable melodies and really thoughtful lyrics.
Daniel Rossen - “Unpeopled Space”
Another current artist who’s been captivating me with their music is Daniel Rossen. A former member of Grizzly Bear (which i should add, is also an amazing group), his most recent solo record — “You Belong There” — is one of my favourite albums of 2022. It features lush arrangements and acoustic instrumentation, along with soaring melodies and words that paint beautiful imagery throughout the record.
Madison Cunningham - “Like You Do”
Madison Cunningham’s debut album, “Who Are You Now”, blew my mind the first time I heard it! The songwriting is incredible, the arrangements so lush and interesting, and her words are heartbreakingly emotional and impactful. We’ve seen her perform live twice this past year, and it was truly inspiring to see an artist staying true to themselves with their music and creating really thoughtful, new original music that sticks out amongst the monotony of a lot of current mainstream music.
