Animatist

Animatist is a four piece experimental rock band from Toronto, Ontario led by guitarist Brent O’Toole. The rhythm section, comprised of Steve Cook on bass and Ian Hinds on drums, form the driving foundation of the band’s powerful sound. The picture is completed by the angular melodies and ambient textures of saxophonist and synth player, Danielle Fernandes. Together they perform rhythmically deft compositions that evoke equal parts math, post, and progressive rock. Animatist has toured Ontario and Quebec, sharing the stage with artists including Fet.Nat, ART the Band, and Peripheral Vision. They’ve also performed for the Guelph Jazz Festival, Rock the Coliseum, Kazoo! Guelph and Festival Lingua Franca.

Throughout 2019 Animatist debuted new material woven into gapless sets that were equally energetic and mesmerizing. It was through perfecting their mind altering live performances that they developed the concepts and songs that would eventually become their sophomore release, ‘INVERTED’. Releasing on July 3rd, 2020 on Glue Gun Records, this album continues to explore the polyrhythmic textures, dark atmospheres and progressive compositions they’ve come to be known for.