Label.
Synthetic Friend
HWR012
︎ BIO
There’s nothing ironic about the joy of Synthetic Friend. Far from the detachment that seemed to define much of the indie rock ethos last decade, the Winnipeg-based band radiates a lightness marked by sincerity, unguarded warmth, and a full-hearted sense of discovery. Their sound balances tonal complexity and emotional nuance with an undercurrent of glee — a combination that’s both captivating and refreshingly genuine.
The band was formed in 2022 by a group of university students drawn together by a shared instinct and an offbeat humour. The five-piece — made up of vocalist Emma Stevens, bassist Kaity Cummings, guitarists Aaron Simard and Ashton Fontaine, and drummer Tomi Lawrie — sold out their debut show in the summer of 2023 and quickly established themselves as one of Winnipeg’s buzziest young acts. In rapid succession, they opened for local favourites Lev Snowe, Boniface, and Amos the Kid, played a set at Real Love Summer Fest, and began to earn growing recognition from the city’s music community. A recording session with producer Adam Fuhr marked a turning point, leading to their signing with House of Wonders Records and the creation of their debut EP, Catching the Outlines.
The four-song debut captures the spirit of the band’s formative years, as they explored, expanded, and defined the boundaries of their sound. From the delicate, slow-burning shimmer of “Potion Seller” to the punchy slacker-rock of “Renovations” through to the jubilant crescendo of closer “Nanaimo,” Catching the Outlines emerges as a confident and compelling introduction — the type of debut that lands as just a taste, leaving you yearning for a full course yet to be served.
“Recording with this band is maybe the most fun I’ve ever had in the studio,” says Fuhr. “Their curiosity, humour, and approach to collaboration are remarkable, I’m so happy to have them as part of the House of Wonders roster.”
Catching the Outlines was produced, engineered, and mixed by Fuhr (Virgo Rising, Amos the Kid, Taylor Janzen) and mastered by Donavan Ostapowich (Tired Cossack, Good Bandits), all at House of Wonders. Several songs feature contributions from Jenna Wittmann of Virgo Rising. It arrives January 16, 2026 on cassette and streaming services via House of Wonders Records.
︎ OTHER INFO:
︎︎
Shop Synthetic Friend ︎ shophouseofwonders.com
Contact Synthetic Friend ︎ syntheticfriendband@gmail.com
All Other Inquiries ︎ adam@houseofwonders.online