Toronto's Paint has established itself as one of Canada's most dedicated and authentic indie bands, known for their lively performances, engaging pop hooks, and thought-provoking lyrics. Often described as "rockstars and entertainers with a sincere change-the-world-with-heart attitude" (Midnight Matinee), the band has cultivated a reputation that resonates deeply with their audience.
The journey began with the release of their debut album, Can You Hear Me?, in 2009, which received critical acclaim. Since then, Paint has performed over 300 shows across Canada, from Vancouver to Halifax. Their presence has been notable at events such as North by Northeast, where they were recognized as one of the top acts of 2012 by The Toronto Star, as well as Canadian Music Week, Indie Week, the Hamilton Music Awards, and New Music West. Additionally, their music has gained popularity on 102.1 The Edge, where they were voted a listener favorite.
In 2011, they released their sophomore album, Where We Are Today, recorded and produced by Ian Smith, alongside award-winning engineer Michael Chambers at Catherine North Studios, known for working with artists like City and Colour and Feist. The mastering was completed by Joe Lambert in Brooklyn, NY. This album, influenced by Britpop and New Wave, showcased a shift towards intricate songwriting and a more mature sound, moving away from the traditional "wall of sound."
In 2013, Paint released Capsulated: Music Videos, which included music videos for all ten songs on Where We Are Today, featuring the film festival-selected "Boomerang," as well as four videos from their debut album and bonus documentaries. This project, alongside their collaboration with filmmaker R. Stephenson Price, provided a unique visual element to Paint's live performances.
The band's creativity continued in 2015 with the release of a black-and-white short feature film titled 11:11, accompanied by an EP soundtrack called Based on Truth and Lies. This endeavor was made possible through the support of their dedicated fanbase via IndieGogo and funding from the Canadian government's FACTOR program.
In 2016, Paint released (disPLAY), a concert film and live album featuring mostly unreleased material, filmed during a sold-out show in Toronto in October 2014, again supported by FACTOR and IndieGogo.
As they celebrated their 10-year anniversary in 2018, Paint undertook an archives project that included releasing the instrumental score for 11:11, titled Chapter 11, and a compilation of unreleased material called Set The Children Free: The Lost Demos 2011 - 2018. They also published The Book of Joe, a 316-page photo e-book chronicling their on-stage history through the lens of photographer Joe Mac. In 2021, they continued to explore their archives with the release of an unreleased single from 2007 titled "Life."
In 2023, in conjunction with their 15th anniversary, Paint announced their decision to conclude new music creation and live performances. To commemorate this milestone, they released deluxe editions of Can You Hear Me? and Where We Are Today, each featuring 45 tracks, including demos, live recordings, radio performances, and retrospective interviews, along with extensive liner notes and reimagined artwork. Despite stepping back from new projects, the band remains committed to nurturing their online community and unearthing archival materials "in honour of those who've supported us over the years."
Paint has been praised for their music, which combines UK-flavored pop-jangle with an indie-rock flair, resulting in a collection of catchy, energetic songs infused with soaring melodies and a nostalgic spirit. Critics have described their work as "picture perfect" (102.1 The Edge) and "intelligent people making incredible music" (The Examiner), while others have noted its introspective and haunting qualities, leading to comparisons with iconic bands such as U2 (Midnight Matinee).