PRESSGANG MUTINY SEA SHANTIES

WHO WE ARE

We are Toronto's Shantymen, and we’re dedicated to traveling the globe to discover shanties, work songs and the people who sing them. A quartet of dynamic musicians and tall ship sailors, we’ve performed extensively at festivals and venues across Canada, the US, and Europe. We were an Official Showcase artist at the 2023 Folk Music Ontario Conference and have showcased at Folk Alliance International.

​

REINVENTING A TRADITION

We’ve traveled to, performed with, and learned from shanty singers and scholars from around the globe. We’ve crafted a sound and a show that fully showcases the musical connections between shanties and other musical genres and includes sampling, instrumentation, guest musicians – and of course our signature four-part harmony. We present a new take on shanties that excites experienced shanty audiences while also making the tradition accessible for new listeners. Our latest album, Departure, which you can preview in full on this page, showcases our approach and will be distributed globally by Believe Music in March 2026. We will be supporting the album with performances in Canada, the UK, and Europe in 2026.

​

WHY BOOK US?

For more than ten years, we’ve been crafting our performances and workshops to suit a wide variety of audiences and settings, making us one of the most versatile acts you can book.

• Festival main stage: A set that fully showcases everything shanties can be ranging from powerful a capella to instrumental and DJ accompaniment.

• Festival side stages: Themed sets to educate and entertain, ranging from shanty history to vocal harmony.

• Listening rooms and traditional folk clubs: Sets that present a more traditional take on shanties while still finding moments to challenge and delight audiences with the unexpected.

• Hosted pub sings: Guided shanty sings that encourage everyone to sing along, from just joining in the chorus to even leading a song. Also great for festival pub nights.

• Workshops: Educational sessions that explore key themes in shanties, work songs, folk and vocal music using slide presentations, performance, and participatory activities