WHOOP-Szo

WHOOP-Szo (pronounced [wʌp zo]) is a Canadian alternative rock band from Guelph, Ontario led by Anishinaabe-Canadian singer-songwriter, Adam Sturgeon. The band's latest record Warrior Down was released in 2019 and it made the 2020 Polaris Music Prize longlist.[1]

WHOOP-Szo
OriginGuelph, Ontario
GenresAlternative, Folk
Years active(2009 (2009)–present)
LabelsOut Of Sound Records, You've Changed Records
Websitethenoisymountain.bandcamp.com/album/citizens-ban-ne-d-radio
Members
  • Adam Sturgeon (vocals, guitar)
  • Kirsten Kurvink Palm (guitar, synth, vocals)
  • Andrew Lennox (guitar, synth)
  • Joe Thorner (bass, vocals)
  • Eric Lourenço (drums)

History

WHOOP-Szo was founded in Guelph, Ontario 2009 by Adam Sturgeon and Kirsten Kurvink Palm.[2] The band's name comes from Margaret Craven's I Heard the Owl Call My Name.[3] When the band relocated to London, Ontario several years after their formation, they expanded and incorporated three new members: Joe Thorner, Andrew Lennox, and Eric Lourenço.[2]

In 2014, WHOOP-Szo released the two-part album Qallunaat/Odemin. The record was inspired by the band's year long stay in Salluit, Quebec working with Indigenous youth.[4]

In March 2019, as part of Juno Week for the 2019 JUNO Awards, WHOOP-Szo opened for Canadian metal band Voivod.[5] In November 2019, WHOOP-Szo put out their album Warrior Down through You've Changed Records, which was later featured on the 2020 Polaris Music Prize longlist.[6][7] Warrior Down features Sturgeon's grandfather on the cover, a survivor of Canada's Residential School system.[8]

WHOOP-Szo was set to embark on a North American tour in 2020.[9] In mid-March, 2020, after playing only a handful of shows, the band was forced to cancel the remainder of their tour due to COVID-19 restrictions.[10][7]

Discography
  • Where I Dream is Where I Live (EP - 2009)
  • Citizen's Ban(Ne)D Radio (2016)
  • Qallunaat/Odemin (2014)
  • Warrior Down (2019)

References
  1. Lau, Melody (June 15, 2020). "Daniel Caesar, Jessie Reyez, Caribou and more make the 2020 Polaris Music Prize long list". CBC Music.
  2. Bobkin, Matt (2018-01-16). "Meet WHOOP-Szo, Ontario's Fuzz-Rocking Community Healers". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  3. Danahy, Kaely (2014-08-27). "The Conflict of Being Whoop Szo". Vice. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  4. Trapunski, Richard (2018-01-17). "For WHOOP-Szo, there's more at play than just performing - NOW Magazine". NowMagazine. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  5. McSweeney, Madison (2019-03-16). "Voivod / Whoop-Szo @ Toboggan". Musings by Madison. Retrieved 2020-07-11.
  6. Eggertsen, Chris (2020-06-17). "Polaris Music Prize 2020 Long List Includes The Weeknd, Jessie Reyez, Daniel Caesar". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  7. Gordon, Holly (2020-03-13). "'One day at a time': what it's like for Ontario band Whoop-Szo to tour during COVID-19". CBC. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
  8. Mullin, Morgan (2019-11-28). "The wonder of Whoop-Szo". The Coast Halifax. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  9. Gregory, Allie (2020-02-19). "WHOOP-Szo Map Out Massive North American Tour". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
  10. Gregory, Allie (2020-05-05). "WHOOP-Szo Share New "Nshwaaswi" Video". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2020-08-08.
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