Bernice

2X polaris nominated, Canada’s beloved experimental pop group Bernice is the project of Robin Dann (voice, songs) with her longtime collaborators Thom Gill (keyboards), Philippe Melanson (e-percussion), Daniel Fortin (bass) and Felicity Williams (voice). For more than a decade, the band has made music which wanders into r&b, neo-soul, and free music, and coalesces through Robin’s desire to commune with audiences through song and lyric. Currently with Telephone Explosion Records, the band released Cruisin’ in April, 2023. Pitchfork called it “exuberant, eccentric, and an underground concern”.

Formed in 2010, the band’s first release, 'What Was That', 2011, saw critical praise from Exclaim Magazine and the Globe & Mail. Bernice performed shows with Colin Stetson and supported Tegan & Sara on tour before Robin left Canada to pursue a Masters degree in Creative Practice from Goldsmiths (London, UK).

In 2016, following a residency at the Banff Centre where the band met and worked closely with Shawn Everett, Bernice signed with Arts & Crafts in Canada and supported the release of two singles, “St Lucia” and “Don't Wanna Be European”, with a series of performances at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

In 2017, the band supported Martha Wainwright on tour across the UK before returning to Toronto for the Toronto Dance Theatre’s production of NOISY, a co-creation with Canadian choreographer Ame Henderson. The band was then invited to Miami to support Angel Olsen for Red Bull Sound Select’s 3 Days In Miami festival.

'Puff', a 5-song EP, was released in June 2017 to resounding critical acclaim from Pitchfork, NPR, Zane Lowe, and The Fader. Stereogum and Exclaim named the release as one of the 'Best EPs of 2017. 'Puff' was produced by Grammy Award-winner Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, Lucius) and Matt Smith (Owen Pallett).

Bernice followed the maximalist EP with minimalist sophomore album 'Puff: In The Air Without A Shape' released in May 2018 on Arts & Crafts. Continuing their enigmatic exploration of pop, jazz, and R&B, the new album attempted to mimic the playful intimacy of the band’s live show. The album was called “a monument to ephemerality” by the New York Times and received a long-list nomination for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize.

In 2020 the band signed with Toronto-based label Telephone Explosion, and joined a roster of artists pushing Toronto's freaky songwriter agenda forward such as Dorothea Paas, Andre Ethier and Pantayo. They released Eau De Bonjourno (2021) in the heart of the Covid pandemic with a live-streamed Youtube release party. EDB was co-produced by Shahzad Ismaily (New York). The album was longlisted for the Polaris Prize and received critical acclaim across music press outlets.

Bernice is now touring in support of their latest release, Cruisin', a batch of songs dedicated to people they love. They will be co-headlining an East Coast US run with Ruth Garbus, supporting Sam Amidon in Ireland in May and Fievel is Glauque in the UK in June.

For booking please contact [email protected]