The Fugitives
Folk
ActiveAbout
The Fugitives are a folk collective formed in Vancouver in 2007, headed by songwriters Brendan McLeod and Adrian Glynn. They're joined by banjo player Chris Suen (Viper Central) and violinist Carly Frey (The Coal Porters). McLeod is an award winning novelist and former Canadian SLAM poetry champion, while Glynn is a working actor who received rave reviews for his role in Chelsea Hotel, a play based on the songs and poems of Leonard Cohen. Former members of the band included Mark Berube (banjo and vocals), C.R. Avery (beat box and vocals), and Barbara Adler (vocals, accordion) who left the band to pursue other artistic ventures. Fans and critics find the group difficult to classify—they have been categorized as slam folk, folk hop, and spoken word cabaret. The band has earned a reputation for unforgettable live shows, brimming with complex harmonies, infectious storytelling and top-notch musicianship. Over their first five albums, they've amassed a JUNO nomination, numerous CFMA and WCMA nominations, and toured extensively through Canada, Europe, and the UK. Their album Trench Songs was nominated for the 2022 JUNO for Best Traditional Roots Album. Their album Everything Will Happen spent ten weeks on the top ten Canadian folk charts, and earned them a support slot across Western Canada with Buffy Sainte-Marie and an appearance at UK's Glastonbury Festival. The Fugitives' unique blend of spoken word poetry, folk music, and theatrical performance has created a distinctive sound that defies easy categorization while consistently engaging and moving audiences.