Doomed Confessionary: Joe Zandwyk (Ivy Gardens)
Photo credit: Ryan Bellaire
Ivy Gardens is an experimental sludge/stoner metal trio from Niagara Falls, Canada.
Formed in the unlikely crucible of a Princess Auto parking lot, Ivy Gardens began with a simple desire to shred through Rush instrumentals and explore the outer reaches of heavy music. Now, following their acclaimed first full-length »Goon« released in 2024, the band takes a daring leap into more dour, experimental terrain. »Death Of Don Valley« presents a concept album steeped in decay, lyrically and sonically portraying the slow death of natural spaces like Toronto’s Don River, drowned by industry and time. The band’s second album »Death Of Don Valley« will be released on August 29th, 2025 via Paper Cut Recordings.
Ivy Gardens are Joe Zandwyk (drums, vocals, samples), Sebastian Hogg (organ, piano, synth, samples) and Andrew Blackborow (guitar, vocals).
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Whats up, we’re Ivy Gardens. A sludgy/stoner rock band from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Also known as “dog-ass music”.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Everything we do is some sort of challenge to overcome since we do every element of the band between the 3 of us. Shows and tours are booked by us, artwork is done by us, and of course the music creation process.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Remaining completely independent while being able to tour and release music we are really proud of. And our friendship through all struggles of the band.
What was your biggest regret?
Not sure. Haven’t really done anything regrettable that comes to mind.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Our previous album »Goon« we played a big release show close to our hometown that was a lot of fun, and followed it up with a tour of the east coast of Canada.
Though, I think our upcoming release show and Canada wide tour will be even better.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
No surprises. We’ve been warned of everything.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
A mix of prog like Rush, and King Crimson, plus some sludge metal like EyeHateGod and Thou. Which is actually an accurate way to represent our current sound, I believe.
Photo credit: Luka Kartveli
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Do as much as you can on your own. Only look elsewhere when it’s a necessity.
What are your guilty pleasures?
The song »Illegal« by PinkPantheress.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Niagara Falls?
It’s in a growing stage. Like most cities, scenes die horrific deaths, slowly rebuild, peak, then slowly die an agonizing death again. Endless cycle of a music scenes life.
I give it 4 years until everyone breaks up their bands and gets into real estate.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Well well well, we are touring across Canada. Coast to Coast baby. Here’s the full LONG list, Plenty of chances to check out our live show:
August 29th – St. Catharines, ON – Warehouse Concert Hall
August 30th – Toronto, ON – Monarch Tavern
September 5th – Kitchener, ON – The Golden Apple
September 12th – Windsor, ON – Phog Lounge
September 13th – Sarnia, ON – AJ’s Bar
September 14th – London, ON – Grogettes
September 18th – Halifax, NS – Radstorm
September 19th – Sydney, NS – Daniels Alehouse
September 20th – Charlottetown, PEI – Babas Lounge
September 21st – Moncton, NB – Ask A Punk
September 25th – Woodstock, NB – Montieth Manor
September 26th – Montreal, QC – Turbo Haus
September 27th – Quebec City, QC – Sonum
October 9th – Barrie, ON – CW Coop’s
October 10th – Sudbury, ON – Townehouse Tavern
October 11th – Thunder Bay, ON – Black Pirate
October 12th – Winnipeg, MB – Bulldog Event Center
October 16th – Regina, SK – The Cure Kitchen And Bar
October 17th – Saskatoon, SK – The Black Cat
October 18th – Calgary, AB – Palomino
October 19th – Edmonton, AB – Blackbar
October 23rd – Kelowna, BC – Dunnenzies
October 24th – Vancouver, BC – Black Alley
October 25th – Victoria, BC – Fernwood Community Center
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Objective A: Survive the tour across Canada living out of a cargo van.
Objective B: More music, more touring.
How can people best support your band?
Come to a show. Hang out. Tell us you dig it, or if you hate it. Buy some merch to wear or burn. Be interactive with your local scene and support each other.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
August 29th, »Death Of Don Valley«, our upcoming album. Listen good and loud. Come to a show on our tour. Follow us on Instagram @ivygardensofficial.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well