Soft Animals

Saturday, October 5th

Henley Stage: 1:30 - 2:00pm

Soft Animals is the musical project of Sean Aileen McClelland (guitar, vocals), Iain Ellis (guitar, backing vocals), Jordan Phelan (bass), and Graham Morley (drums). With songs written by singer-songwriter Sean Aileen, the project has developed further by adding other instrumentation, uncovering layer by layer the ways in which the work can expand and take on new life. With elements of ethereal progressive folk, jazz, country, and indie rock, the project attempts to capture the transitional and hard-to-put-your-finger-on moments of life. With backgrounds in collaborative creation, improvisation, classical theatre, and music training, the music naturally incorporates a palpable world within it, blending multiple genres, pushing boundaries, and evolving into a project that is full of momentum and passion. Soft Animals aims to create musical experiences that connect audiences in an intimate and more deeply felt human way. It is their belief that the approach to creation is the same as their individual engagement with the world -- a practice in being present, vulnerable, highly imaginative, and always playful.

“Soft Animals has quickly evolved into one of the most exciting acts making music in the Niagara region. Catchy yet complex compositions, heartfelt lyrics, stacking harmonies that weave from dissonant to distinctly sweet - Sean McClelland’s singular songwriting is only enhanced by the musicians she’s surrounded her songs with.”

For fans of: Joni Mitchell, Regina Spektor, the Weather Station

- Cicada Artistic Direction Team