The Winks

Initially nothing more than an informal collaboration between mandolinist Todd MacDonald, cellist Tyr Jami, and a rotating cast of their friends, Canada's the Winks solidified into a chamber-infused indie pop outfit in the early 2000s. The Winks were prolific from the get-go, self-releasing seven EPs and full-lengths between 2000 and 2005. They managed to land a record deal with Ache during that time, and their debut full-length on that label, Birthday Party, was released in 2006.