Described by Exclaim! as a band “that seem destined to go places quickly,” Toronto’s HIGHS have been rapidly building momentum with their unique approach to pop music.
Formed in late 2012, the band had its beginnings with a trio of bedroom demos created by guitarist and vocalist Doug Haynes. These demos, with their driving afro-beat rhythms, guitar hooks and layered harmonies, provided the initial musical foundation for the band when it expanded into a five-piece. The demo tracks were put out online, garnering recognition from a variety of international critics and providing the band with a foothold to play a significant number of shows including prominent Canadian festivals like NXNE and Canadian Music Week. These formative songs would have their sound developed and diversified when HIGHS was fully formed with keyboardist Karrie Douglas, and guitarist Joel Harrower. Initially HIGHS self-released their “monstrously upbeat” debut, self-titled EP. The 5-track EP was recorded over six months at Verge Music Lab with Steve Major, who acted as both engineer and co-producer for the album.
Influenced by time spent travelling, the EP is a collection of songs that reflect on growing up, the concept of home, and spirituality. The live performance of these tracks, and many others that the band has yet to record, aim to distill some of the fun and energy that the band is experiencing into the audience. Performed with up to four vocalists on a given track, HIGHS’ show is said to be tight and calculated while remaining true to the whimsical nature of the songs.
In the year since their formation, HIGHS have released their self-titled EP, hit #1 on CBC Radio 3’s R3-30, been featured in the theatrical trailer for ‘Adult World’ and have been invited to perform at festivals like CMW, NXNE, M for Montreal, Milwaukee Summerfest, and New York City’s CMJ. After a successful run through Ontario and Quebec with Hey Ocean!, HIGHS are set to close out 2014 with the formal release of their   EP on October 21st in North America and a cross Canada tour supporting Twin Forks.