Raising the Fawn

by Johnny LoftusRaising the Fawn originated around 1997 as a quiet, introspective bedroom project for Toronto's John Crossingham, who at the time was holding down a day job as a member of ThanatoPop. Eventually, Raising the Fawn was brought to stage and wax, becoming a full band with the aid of pals and self-issuing an eponymous LP in 2001. Recording sessions for a record called The North Sea followed, but soon after its completion Crossingham and bassist/vocalist Scott Remila were abandoned by everyone else in the group, leaving North dead in the water. Crossingham concentrated on his contributions to Broken Social Scene, and the Fawn went on hiatus yet again. When he and Remila reconvened (with new drummer Dylan Green), the result was the By the Warmth of Your Flame EP, released in January 2004 through Raising the Fawn's new deal at Sonic Unyon. It was a slightly claustrophobic, mostly hushed affair, perfect for the Canadian winter. At that time, Sonic Unyon announced its intention to release North Sea in early spring.