| Dan Boeckner | |
|---|---|
Dan Boeckner w/ Wolf Parade on June 30, 2004. |
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada |
| Genres | Indie rock |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Sub Pop, Global Symphonic |
| Associated acts | Wolf Parade, Atlas Strategic, Handsome Furs |
Dan Boeckner ( /ˈbɛknər/)[1] (born 5 February 1978) is a Canadian singer, songwriter and guitarist. He currently fronts the indie rock bands Wolf Parade and Handsome Furs and was previously a member of Atlas Strategic.
Contents |
Boeckner grew up in Lake Cowichan, British Columbia[2] and, immediately upon graduating high school, moved to Victoria, BC. In Victoria he became a singer/guitarist for many small, independent outfits. One of these bands was named God Shaped Vacuum, and featured a pre-Frog Eyes Carey Mercer on drums. They released one album in their brief existence, entitled Apocalypse Now![3] In 2000 Boeckner co-founded notable British Columbian band Atlas Strategic with organist/vocalist John Pollard, and recorded their debut Rapture, Ye Minions!.[4] The album was released on a local label, Global Symphonic. The band toured and recorded a second album/EP, which they self-released upon their demise in 2002.[4]
Boeckner then moved to Montreal, Quebec, where he eventually met up with Spencer Krug and helped form Wolf Parade.[5] Boeckner contributes his guitar skills, while also splitting the role of lead singer with band-mate Krug. The band is signed to Sub Pop Records. As of November 2010, Wolf Parade is on indefinite hiatus.
Boeckner also plays in Handsome Furs a duo that he formed with his then fiancée/now wife, Alexei Perry, in the winter of 2005.[6] The duo signed onto Sub Pop Records and released their debut album Plague Park in 2007. "Face Control" was released in 2009, while Handsome Furs' latest album Sound Kapital was released in 2011.
In October 2005, Boeckner was a part of the satirical North American Hallowe'en Prevention Initiative (NAHPI) and contributed to the UNICEF benefit song "Do They Know It's Hallowe'en?". Boeckner also played on Islands' debut album Return to the Sea. He played guitar on the opening track "Swans (Life After Death)" and he played in the "marching band" on the track "Where There's a Will There's a Whalebone".[7]