Originally one part Taylor Whittaker and one part Nickie Minshall, UKAE was technically born when the pair met in grade three. The two wee tots would get together over peanut butter and butter sandwiches and crank out various renditions of Stand By Me in their parents' basements. Even as youngsters they were a natural musical match, and although the ridiculously adorable elementary school duo did, unfortunately, fall apart, the group was reincarnated years later in August 2012. This time over beers, not sandwiches. 

UKAE is a Toronto-based indie band featuring Taylor's raspy and oh-so-manly voice working in tandem with Nickie's sweet and soulful sound. This combo coupled with Taylor's organic knack for catchy guitar riffs makes for some pretty awesome tunes that will stick in your head for days. Years, maybe.

In December 2012 UKAE added the talents of Nick McKinlay (drums) and Tim O'Reilly (bass). These additions gave UKAE the ability to kick way more ass onstage and handle much larger crowds. After a sold out show playing for the first time as a full band to more than 120 people in the crammed downstairs of The Central, it was quickly realized that the band wanted to get louder. In January of 2013, UKAE added lead guitarist Andrew Dawson just in time for another hit show, this time at Lee's Palace.

Acoustic beginnings have given way to crazy and energetic live performances with the full band. 

Well-versed in uncommon, tasty covers (think Pursuit of Happiness and Where Is My Mind) as well as a growing roster of heartfelt originals, UKAE's sound adds something new and different to Toronto's music scene. 

Their debut studio effort 'Morning Story' was released July 30th, 2014 and is now available for download on iTunes.

indie pop with singer/songwriter softness ✨

Patrick J Minshall is following