Direct musical descendants of Tom Waits and Patti Smith. Spiritual cousins with the Kills, the Cure, Pixies, The Cramps and Sonic Youth. Fugazi devotees. PJ Harvey enthusiasts. Disciples of David Lynch. They’ve been called punk rock, post-rock, acid rock, metal, folk, indie rock, experimental and progressive grunge. Their versatile songwriting defies easy genre categorization, but they call themselves “art-punks.”
Gothy, grungey, earthy, slinky, uplifting, confrontational, conversational and DIY to their core, Cursed Arrows are a long-running art-rock duo based on the Atlantic coast of Canada. Formed in 2007, they began an 19 year journey of touring across Canada together, recording over a dozen releases as a self-produced guitar-and-drum duo. They have performed on big stages and in dingy laundromats, lived in minivans and haunted basements, appeared on hit TV shows. Whether they perform as a duo who trades instruments - with searing electric guitars, live drums and an analog drum machine - or as a powerful four-piece, Cursed Arrows continue to create "evolved rock music” that is "eminently engaging." (Exclaim!)
Not only do they sing about heavy societal problems over pummeling post-punk rhythms, vintage drum machines, and intricate guitars, but also their empowering solutions. The duo of Jackie and Ryan support their craft by functioning as travelling gothic artisans by day, sharing their artwork, oracle decks, zines, and handmade alt fashion accessories at art markets far and wide. Cursed Arrows are releasing new music in October 2026 via Tarantula Tapes, an independent cassette label in Canada. 
“dazzling melodies and hypnotizing harmonies” – SPILLMAGAZINE.COM
“…beautifully sinister power chords and nuanced rhythm patterns” – NOW MAGAZINE
"evolved rock music demonstrating the restless spirit of artists who take their message as seriously as the rest of their craft" – EXCLAIM!
INTERVIEWS + PROFILES
CANADIAN BEATS
PUNK NEWS
EXCLAIM!
NOW MAGAZINE
THE INDIE MACHINE
NOISOGRAPHY
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
Our inclusive ethos and utter determination to uplift the voices of queer/trans/femme/Indigenous/POC + disabled artists and humans fosters an ever-burning desire to build, transform and strengthen artistic micro-communities wherever we go. We work tirelessly to move through the world with integrity - while putting on the best live show we can along the way.
CONTACT:
[email protected]
Photo credits: Liam Decker