Based out of Winnipeg and Montreal, Canada, The Dead Letters paint their sound on a wide open canvas with classical sounding tints, vaudevillian hues and swathes of unhinged guitar. Hints of baroque and sprinkles of surf can all be heard on top of big mountains echoing countrified eastern-european influenced melodies.

Jim Demos’ blood runs deep with the pride and admiration for the folk music of his Greek heritage. As a young child Demos was indoctrinated with the exotic sounds of Demotika and Rembetika music. These traditional styles of greek music have found a permanent home in his consciousness and have influenced his fluid guitar style. His love for Morricone, post-rock, and Balkan styles can be heard. Loudly.

Alexander Heaton Janusz came into this world born a guitar player.With his secret love for old-time country, Morriconian licks and a heavy dose of 60’s influenced psychedelic rock, he is the master of the western side of the band. Though it is sometimes said that given the position of the moon in the lunar cycle, polish spirits will possess his heart and hands, aligning him with the Balkan side of the band.

Deciding to go the DIY route the group recorded and produced their self-titled E.P. Half of it was recorded in the attic of an old house in Winnipeg and the other in a rehearsal space in Montreal located in the heart of Petite Italy. The E.P has appeared on numerous college radio charts across Canada and the U.S.A landing them a spot on the CMJ top 200 and Canada’s equivalent Earshot top 200. The band started touring at the end of 2009 with a small tour of Ontario which progressed into two cross Canada tours, having just completed their second one at the end of October 2010.

From the first track “Ghost Of A Thousand Battles” to its last “War” their E.P truly conjures up the sound and emotion of a wild west gunfight led by a band of gypsies, with saddles blazing, on the coast of the Mediterranean.

The Dead Letters can be seen performing and have performed in many different configurations. As a big ensemble with drums, bass, piano, horns, strings and guitars. As an acoustic trio comprised of 2 guitars and viola or even as a guitar duo holding down alternate melodies and rhythms with looping techniques and other effects. The compositions and performances are always unique and powerful in any of these formations. The duo made up of Demos and Janusz is the core of this project and its regular touring force. 

Residing in both Winnipeg and Montreal, Canada their music can be described as Spaghetti Western mixed up in a Balkan blender. The Dead letters paint their sound on a wide open canvas with classical sounding tints, vaudevillian hues and swathes of unhinged guitar. Hints of baroque and sprinkles of surf can all be heard on top of big compositions are the soundtracks to sadness, heartache, pain, suffering, war, bloodshed, inspiration, happiness, dreams, hope and revolution.