Miracle Fortress is a Canadian indie rock band based in Montreal, Quebec. The band's studio work is primarily a solo, project of songwriter Graham Van Pelt, who is accompanied by the rest of the band during live shows.
Band history Van Pelt, a member of the band Think About Life, recorded all of the music himself for five songs, and then self-released an EP, Watery Grave. In 2007, he released a debut album Five Roses under the name Miracle Fortress, on Secret City Records."A Completely Biased Ranking of the 60 Best Canadian Indie Rock Songs of the 00s Part II". Vice, Cam Lindsay Apr 10 2017 The album received positive reviews,"Miracle Fortress - Five Roses". ClickMusic, Colleen Newbanks and was included on the shortlist for the 2007 Polaris Music Prize,"Miracle Fortress Solitary Man". Exclaim, By Cam Lindsay Apr 24, 2011 which was ultimately won by Patrick Watson. Van Pelt recruited drummer Jordan Robson-Cramer of Sunset Rubdown and Magic Weapon, guitarist Jessie Stein of SS Cardiacs and The Luyas, and keyboardist Adam Waito of Telefauna to adapt Five Roses into a live show." Miracle Fortress". AllMusic Biography by Margaret Reges This group made a cross-Canada tour in 2007."One-man band takes friends for a ride; Graham Van Pelt's acclaimed Miracle Fortress assembles an indie team for cross-Canada tour" . Toronto Star - Toronto, Ont. Raju Mudhar Jun 21, 2007 Page: E.9 Nathan Ward, Adam Waito and Jessie Stein also took part in some of the shows."Miracle Fortress believes in self". Jam! Music, July 11, 2007. by Allan Wigney, Sun Media
The style of the band's single, "Maybe Lately", was compared by critics to that of the Beach Boys."Miracle Fortress - Maybe Lately Continue the Beach Boys fascination". Clash Music, 10 · 04 · 2008"Miracle Fortress, Five Roses". The Guardian, David Peschek 20 July 2007
Miracle Fortress' third album, Was I the Wave? was released in April 2011. It was musically quite different from the previous album, with simpler instrumentation and more rhythm."Miracle Fortress Was I the Wave?". Pitchfork, David Bevan July 13, 2011 The album won a GAMIQ Award for Electronic Album of the Year."Galaxie cleans up at the 2011 GAMIQ Awards". Montreal Gazette, November 14, 2011
In 2014, Van Pelt continues to release music as Miracle Fortress."Miracle Fortress "Even in America". Exclaim!, By Alex Hudson Sep 16, 2014
Discography Watery Grave EP (2005, self-released) Have You Seen In Your Dreams 12" (2007, Secret City Records, Rough Trade Records) Five Roses (2007, Secret City Records) Maybe Lately 7" (2008, Rough Trade Records) Was I the Wave? (2011, Secret City Records)
References
External links Miracle Fortress official site Secret City Records artist page