Elliott Brood (2025)
Elliott Brood is a Canadian alternative country / folk-rock band known for their gritty, roots-driven sound and storytelling lyrics. Formed in Toronto in the early 2000s, the group blends country, folk, rock, and Americana influences, often using unconventional instruments and a raw, DIY recording style
The core members are:
Mark Sasso – lead vocals, guitar
Casey Laforet – guitar, banjo, vocals
Stephen Pitkin – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Elliott Brood is often associated with a sub-genre they jokingly called “death country,” mixing dark historical themes with folk and rock instrumentation. Their sound frequently includes banjo, acoustic guitar, and unconventional percussion—sometimes recorded on items like suitcases or wooden boxes to create a rough, rootsy texture.
The band built a strong following through Canadian touring and festival appearances. Their album Mountain Meadows (2008)—inspired by the Mountain Meadows Massacre—earned them the Polaris Music Prize in 2009.
They’ve released several other well-regarded albums including:
Ambassador (2005)
Days Into Years (2011)
Work and Love (2014)
Keeper (2020)
Elliott Brood has become a respected act within Canada’s indie and roots scenes, known for their energetic live shows and storytelling approach to songwriting. Over the years they’ve shared stages with artists across the folk, indie, and alt-country worlds and have been regulars at Canadian festivals.
