| Miracle Fortress | |
| Background: | group_or_band |
| Origin: | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Genre: | Indie rock |
| Years Active: | - present |
| Label: | Secret City, Rough Trade |
| Associated Acts: | Adam and the Amethysts, Think About Life, The Luyas |
| Current Members: | Graham Van Pelt Adam Waito Jessie Stein |
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,[1] who is accompanied by the rest of the band during live shows.
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.[2] [3] The album received positive reviews,[4] and was included on the shortlist for the 2007 Polaris Music Prize,[5] which was ultimately won by Patrick Watson.[6] [7] 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.[8] This group made a cross-Canada tour in 2007.[9] Nathan Ward, Adam Waito and Jessie Stein also took part in some of the shows.[10]
The style of the band's single, "Maybe Lately", was compared by critics to that of the Beach Boys.[11] [12]
Miracle Fortress' third album, Was I the Wave? was released in April 2011.[1] It was musically quite different from the previous album, with simpler instrumentation and more rhythm.[13] The album won a GAMIQ Award for Electronic Album of the Year.[14]
In 2014, Van Pelt continues to release music as Miracle Fortress.[15]