The Strumbellas

The Strumbellas are a Canadian folk-rock band formed in Toronto (originally Lindsay, Ontario) in 2008, led by songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Simon Ward. The band built its sound around anthemic, banjo- and violin-tinged folk-pop, often invoking comparisons to acts like the Lumineers and Mumford & Sons, before gradually leaning into a bigger, more electronic-tinged pop-rock sound on later releases.

Their early albums, including 2013's «My Father and the Hunter» and the JUNO-winning «We Still Move on Dance Floors», established them within Canada's roots and traditional music scene. The band's biggest breakthrough came with «Spirits», the lead single from their 2016 album «Hope», which topped Billboard's Alternative Songs chart and became a global crossover hit, introducing the band to a much wider international audience.

Built around a six-piece lineup that also included keyboardist David Ritter, guitarist Jon Hembrey, violinist Isabel Ritchie, bassist Darryl James and drummer Jeremy Drury, The Strumbellas continued to explore themes of mental health, resilience and hope across tracks like «We Don't Know» and «Young & Wild», balancing an upbeat, sing-along sound with candid, often introspective lyrics.