Imaginary Cities Announce U.S. release of their Polaris Prize nominated debut, Temporary Resident, Out April 10th via turnout

Video for “Temporary Resident” Premieres Today on AOL Spinner!

Imaginary Cities EP out January 24th

Select U.S. Tour Dates Announced!

“...a Motown-treated Nina Simone." - The Globe and Mail

“Anthemic and Psalmic” - Paste Magazine, Best of What’s Next

Imaginary Cities were born just shy of two years ago in a Winnipeg club called The Cavern, in between sets. This new group, founded in a chance meeting, is fast becoming one of the world’s brightest new bands. Their exciting debut album, Temporary Resident, is finally seeing its U.S. release on April 10th, 2012 via turnout. The album will be preceded by the release of the Imaginary Cities EP on January 24th, which features two Temporary Resident tracks as well as a bonus acoustic version of “Marry the Sea.” Today, AOL Spinner has premiered their video for title track “Temporary Resident,” directed by Christopher Mills (Modest Mouse, Metric). Check out the clip HERE.

Imaginary Cities is already making noise in their home country, with Temporary Resident nominated for a 2011 Polaris Prize and earning them a highly coveted opening spot on the Pixes Canadian tour. They took home Western Canadian Music Award for best Pop album and hit #1 album on both the !earshot and CHARTattack Canadian National Campus Charts before its official release date – the first album to do so. The five piece, with principle songwriters and founders Marti Sarbit and Rusty Matyas at the helm, now have their sights on the U.S., with select tours dates and SXSW plans to be announced in the coming weeks.

But before the accolades and transcendent live shows, there was the chance meeting between a boy and a girl. Marti had moved to Winnipeg from Brandon, Manitoba and was playing in a Motown cover band called The Solutions, for which Rusty did some mixing. Rusty is no stranger to the Canadian music scene either. His former band The Waking Eyes was signed to Warner Records, and toured as the multi-instrumentalist in The Weakerthans. Rusty decided to write a song for Marti to sing, and in one all-night writing session came up with a triumphant and soulful beginning--the track “Say You.” It was a turning point. Marti’s stunning and original voice broke open a wealth of creativity between them and they began recording together.

The result is Temporary Resident, a staggering collection of beautifully wild pop songs. Marti's voice is heart-wrenching at times, with the frailty and wounding potential of shattered glass. Her voice is the thread that runs through the music, and is layered masterfully with Rusty's instrumentation. Mari and Rusty recruited a full band and began playing live in May 2010, developing an incredible live show that brings their recordings to life with soul and vitality. They have since toured across Canada with the likes of Ra Ra Riot, Young Galaxy, Rural Alberta Advantage, The Dears, and The Besnard Lakes.

Stay tuned for details on an extended U.S. tour as well as dates at SXSW 2012.

Track listing for the Imaginary Cities EP:

1. Say You

2. Temporary Resident

3. Marry the Sea (Acoustic)

U.S. Tour Dates:

2/29/12 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue Productions

3/1/12 Chicago, IL @ Schuba’s Tavern

3/3/12 Madison, WI @ RSR Stage