Every now and then, a local band pops up seemingly out of nowhere, and we’re smitten. Fort York is one of those bands.

Comprised of five guys from Toronto (Conor Lavelle, Kyle Fulton, Dan Lefebvre, Nick Kewin and Rory Lavelle), it’s hard to believe the band only just released their debut album, Feels Like Then—a testament to the talent and hard work that went into making it. We’re digging it, to say the least.

As the story goes, Fort York came together and began writing songs on the distinguished (i.e. rotting wood and exposed nails) third floor deck of a Toronto house and practicing in the lamp-lit basement. The result is Feels Like Then, an album featuring 8 well-crafted, intimate folk tracks that make it difficult to pick a favourite. For us, it’s a toss-up between the banjo ballad “Mary” and the toe-tapping “Colorado.”

Feels Like Then is now streaming on bandcamp and available for purchase on iTunes.

~ Caitlyn Holroyd