Having grown up in Illinois, I know the beauty and wonderment of being a Great Lake swimmer. Is there anything more sublime than a dusk-time Lake Michigan wade in late July? Granted, my swimming spot also had a glorious view of a nuclear power plant, but it was still pretty tranquil nonetheless. Toronto's Great Lake Swimmers picked an apt name for their bittersweet alt-folk sounds of sparse nostalgia.

This band creates gentle, melancholic soundscapes using acoustic and lap steel guitars, pianos, and Tony Dekker's sweetly harmonic vocals. Their haunting music has been compared to Nick Drake (that's original!), Mark Kozelek and Will Oldham. Commenting on everything from heartbreak to manic depression to spiritual transcendence, Great Lake Swimmers are intent on being cerebral and not the least bit superficial. Wait a minute, not superficial?! I thought this was rock 'n roll! Oh well, can't win 'em all.

BUY TICKETS TO SEE GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS AT SCHUBAS!

Great Lake Swimmers play Schubas, on Tuesday, April 21st.