Heroes of Toolik

Assembled in 2011, Heroes of Toolik brought together veterans from New York City's alternative and avant-garde circles, with guitarist and vocalist Arad Evans (Glenn Branca, Rhys Chatham) and ex-Modern Lovers bassist Ernie Brooks anchoring the project alongside Television drummer Billy Ficca, trombonist Peter Zummo (Arthur Russell, Lounge Lizards), and vocalist/violinist Jennifer Coates. Their sound fuses experimental leanings with earthy textures supplied by accordion and fiddle, while the words veer from dry wit to genuine emotion. The band's first album, Winter Moon, surfaced in 2012. In its wake, Band of Susans guitarist Robert Poss entered the fold, and John Speck assumed trombone duties at Zummo's suggestion. Heroes of Toolik tracked their follow-up, Like Night, under producer Wharton Tiers before its 2016 release.