Last night (May 12th 2026), Searows filled up the Danforth Music Hall for a powerful and serene performance on the Death in the Business of Whaling Tour. Searows, otherwise known as Alec Duckart, is an indie folk singer-songwriter from Portland Oregon. Known for his intimate and melancholic music, he released his second album Death in the Business of Whaling, earlier this year on January 23 2026. The deeply personal record leans into expression through symbolism and folklore, and draws its title from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. The rainy spring evening felt like the perfect weather for the night, preparing fans for the moody tone of Searows’ music as they packed into the venue.
Opening the night was Jordan Patterson, a singer-songwriter and producer who released her debut project, The Hermit, in September 2025. She played an acoustic set which let her strong, warm vocals take the spotlight. In between songs, she chatted with the audience and sparked an instant connection with them as she shared stories and many exchanges throughout the set.
The crowd was entranced from the moment Searows took the stage. He had a soft but powerful presence, and the crowd was immediately mesmerized by his vocals as he opened with “Belly of the Whale”. Following the track list of Death in the Business of Whaling, “Kill What You Eat” and “Photograph of a Cyclone” were next.
A couple of songs warranted the switch to an electric guitar. When he introduced “Dearly Missed,” Alec invited the audience to have fun during the “rocker” of a song and do whatever they wanted, whether it was dancing, swaying or just standing still. He also played an alternate version of “End of the World,” which was arranged specifically for live shows and is a grungier version of the original. The set also included songs from his past projects like “Martingale,” “Roadkill,” and “House Song”.
In between songs, the dialogue was minimal, but you can tell how genuine Alec is. He let his awkwardness come through at times – “well, here’s another song!” – and showed grace and gratitude towards the audience. At multiple points through the show, he made sure to thank everyone for buying a ticket and coming out to the show. He told the audience that Toronto was the first city he played on his first tour “that wasn’t like Oregon or Washington” and how he loves the city, followed by a “Toronto loves you!” yelled from the crowd. His authenticity clearly resonates with his fans, of course alongside the impact that his music has. One fan shouted “you saved my life!” and you could feel the gratitude ane emotion emanating from Alec in that moment.
The North American Death in the Business of Whaling Tour is still ongoing – check out the rest of the dates here, and listen to Death in the Business of Whaling here.
