Folk Alliance International 2019

Building on the momentum of her 2015 Western Canadian Music Award win, Saskatchewan singer-songwriter Annette Campagne has toured western Canada, showcased in Paris, and played in the Netherlands, Germany and France. Poised to release her new album, this folk rock artist who sings in both English and French is at the top of her game, garnering yet

another WCMA nomination for ‘I AM’, her 5th solo project.
As one of the founding members of the iconic vocal group ‘Hart Rouge’ before embarking on a solo career, Annette has over twenty five years of experience and in many ways has hit her stride with ‘I Am’, featuring a return to what she does best; acoustic rock woven together by strong pop melodies and dynamic rhythms. She has the ability to gather up, heart in hand, music and lyrics that touch the soul and jump-start the heart. ‘I AM’ paints a soulful tapestry of deep-rooted earthiness and powerful lyrics.
Touting her own brand of earthy spiritualism, Annette’s music falls somewhere between Sarah McLachlan’s enticing mysticism and Sheryl Crow’s rockin’ ability to tell a good story and land a hook. Listening to her songs incites a complex and wonderful mixture of feelings, the same ones we might get while staring at a sky full of stars. She uses her luminous voice to cut down to our raw emotions, the ones we drink down with a chaser, stirring the soul just enough to nudge us along in our quest for a better world and creating the space for hope and faith to emerge.

Showcases:
Wednesday, February 13 at 11:00PM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room
Friday, February 15 at 1:30AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Buckman Coe’s 7th release Gathering Storm is about taking a stand for what you believe in and who you love. With Coe’s signature stylings of soulful R&B and rootsy world rhythms, it dances between the revolutionary and romantic. The two are inseparable–once we realize that it’s not about being radical–it’s about humankind and human kindness. Like his soulful influences who deliver messages of social justice, humanity and love, Buckman Coe doesn’t shy away from facing today’s issues and does it with a booty-shaking feel-goodness. He believes in Universal Love and is saturated with a shameless optimism for humanity.

Showcase times:
Wednesday, February 13 at 2:30AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Carly Dow writes beguiling, clever songs and delivers them with insight and a powerful voice pulled from the place where grit meets beauty. Hailing from Manitoba, she delivers songs of the heart and its wide open spaces that'll give you the nudge you need to embrace the wild - surrounding and within. Carly’s style of wildcrafted folk – propelled by guitar and clawhammer banjo – has garnered international acclaim for its vivid imagery and enchanting melodies. Her debut record, Ingrained, was toured extensively and both of her albums, including the recently released Comet, have appeared in the National Top 10 folk/roots/blues charts.

Showcase time:
Wednesday, February 13 at 11:30 PM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Hailing from a dairy farm in central Saskatchewan, young hip-swinger-folk-singer Ellen Froese is not Joan Baez or a sheep, but the vibrato in her voice may suggest otherwise. As both a solo folk artist and a member of the former bluegrass/folk group In With The Old, Ellen has been busy balancing the multiple performances and projects of her many artistic endeavors. Whether performing a traditional tune or an original, Froese does it with an air of authenticity – all tempered with a healthy dose of self-deprecation. Recent performances include BreakOut West and Folk Music Ontario, and a full band record is in the works for 2019.

Showcases:
Thursday, February 14 at 11:30PM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Saturday, February 16 at 2:30AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Frazey Ford’s critically-acclaimed soul-driven album, Indian Ocean (2014), recorded in Memphis’ historic Royal Studios and Afterlife Studios in Vancouver, “comes marinated in the soul tradition inherent to its birthplace,” says NPR.  The music, combines Ford’s sensual and opulent vocals with the instrumentation of Al Green’s band, The Hi Rhythm Section.  The gritty breakup anthem “Done,”  was among CBC Music’s most unforgettable videos of 2015.  Frazey is currently completing her 3rd solo album due out in the summer of 2019 on the Arts & Crafts label.

Showcase times:

Friday, February 15 at 2:00AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

A vagabond turned mailman, Jay Gilday has searched for himself in the depths of Folk, blues, traditional, rock and most recently soul music. The quest continues as Jay takes his experiences from the roads of Canada, the daily roller-coaster of work, family, and performance and weaves them into song. Jay’s live performance is executed with a trained voice and a passion to drive it backed up by a heavy hitting guitar, finger-style or flat-picked, your choice.

Showcase time:
Friday, February 15 at 10:30PM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Straddling the renegade worlds of alt-country, blues and soul, Jess Knights’ hard-to-pin-down style is reflective of her own unassuming past. A classically-trained opera singer, who’s spent time living in Germany, Thailand and New Zealand, Knights has been defying convention since she started cutting her teeth in the boozy, rough-hewn dives of her native Calgary. On her debut EP, Won’t Wait— released independently on October 27, 2018 —Knights flexes a sly, heart-on-her-sleeve sweetness while chronicling tales of corrupting religious boys, a friend’s battle with addiction, and finding the light of humanity from darkness.

Showcase time:
Wednesday, February 13 at 12:00AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

With his one-of-a-kind guitar prowess, charming on and off-stage demeanour, the sincerity and authenticity of his words and music, every piece of music Joey Landreth composes with carry with it his unmistakably evocative and melodic hallmarks. 

Showcase time:
Thursday, February 14 at 12:30AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Currently residing in Victoria, BC, Kirsten Ludwig has just released her full-length album with Kathryn Calder's Oscar St. Records. ‘We Get It Now’ is an infusion of dream-pop, haunt-folk, and Canadiana; with its low-key atmosphere, thoughtful arrangements, and honest sound guiding the way - garnering influences from Beach House, Laura Marling, and Sharon Van Etten.

Showcase times:
Wednesday, February 13 at 10:30PM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

This folk group is Keri Latimer’s (previously from JUNO recipients, Nathan) opportunity to croon gleefully about vultures circling their prey, barbershop stabbings, and love letters from smallpox quarantines in her disconcertingly sweet voice. Add in groovy basslines, looped and layered harmonies and the eerie sound of the theremin for a sonic treat not to be missed. Watch for their new album coming out in the Spring of 2019. 

Showcase time:
Saturday, February 16 at 1:30AM– BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

The honesty in Luca Fogale’s voice is impossible to ignore, elevating songs rooted in the folk tradition to soulful hymns about the human condition. Beneath the calm and melancholic tones of his music is a fervent desire to pull the listener as far into his lyrics and chords as possible until all else fades into the background. During hundreds of shows played over the past five years, Luca has shared the stage with the likes of Serena Ryder, Frazey Ford, Hayden, Dermot Kennedy, and countless others. Writing and performing tirelessly, Luca’s catalogue has amassed over 8 million digital streams with no ceiling in sight. His newest single “I Don’t Want To Lose You” has been featured in episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19 and NCIS:Los Angeles, and has been spun over 3 million times.

Showcase times:

Saturday, February 16 at 12:00AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

A prairie troubadour and feminist minstrel, Maddie Storvold is an emerging story-singer from Edmonton, AB.  With emotive finger picking, and a honeyed, impassioned voice, her music seeks to tell a story, to challenge us, and to touch a fragile part of the human spirit.  As a live performer, Storvold has been described as having a “commanding stage presence, a quirky sense of humor, and knack for capturing moments in song”.  Tough and sweet like gravel in honey, she’s harkening in a new era of folk icons.

Showcase time:
Thursday, February 14 at 2:00AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Madeleine Roger is a contemporary folksinger from Winnipeg, Canada. While accompanying herself on acoustic guitar in multiple tunings, it is her artistry as a songwriter that can silence a room, uniting her captivating voice with vivid lyricism and a maturity beyond her years. A former thespian and a lifelong traveler, she is prone to absorbing stories and questioning the way that things are, creating songs with imaginative melodies and honesty that bares truths about being alive

Showcase time:
Wednesday, February 13 at 1:00AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Few performers combine the lyrical heartfelt authenticity of classic country music with a steely-eyed intensity that compels an audience’s attention like Calgary, Alberta’s Mariel Buckley. It’s the kind of sound many musicians take years searching for, and the arrival of Buckley’s spectacular sophomore full-length album, Driving In The Dark, proves that she hasn’t taken a moment for granted.

Showcase time:
Saturday, February 16 at 2:00AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Influenced by the contrasting cultures of Canadian prairies and the west, Noah Derksen writes with the groundedness of harsh Manitoba winters mixed with the optimism of British Columbia’s coastline. Ever seeking motion and progression, Noah’s self-described “contemplative folk” has taken him across Canada and the United States. Noah has been jury-selected to showcase at NERFA (Stamford, CT), FARM (Grand Rapids, MI), FMO (Toronto, ON), and others. Noah largely tours as a duo, alongside Canadian violinist Elise Boeur.

Showcase time:
Friday, February 15 at 1:00AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Disarming in a moment, his soft, melodic delivery is born from a keen perception of the human condition. This understated authenticity is why you’ll find Poor Nameless Boy on the fringes of something much deeper than modern indie-folk, on the outside looking in. In his quest to retain a certain humbled anonymity, Regina-based Joel Henderson has, in fact, made himself more noticeable than ever.

Though similar to his contemporaries with his wispy, shiver-worthy vocal tones reminiscent of Donovan Woods and Gregory Alan Isakov; Henderson’s stark vulnerability sets him apart, coupled with a distinct lyrical poignancy. Since the release of Activity Book (2013), and the proceeding, stunningly beautiful Bravery (2016); Henderson has seen some notable milestones, including a recent publishing deal and several successful tours and showcases in Canada and Europe.

Now, set to release a new EP in 2019, Poor Nameless Boy has upped the ante yet again. Using a measured sparsity, Henderson and Brad Prosko have found a perfect dynamic to tell the deeply affecting stories brought to life. And though the songs themselves play out in the first person, their empathic ability to engage and insight is unparalleled. This cunning relatability puts Henderson in some rare company artistically.

Henderson’s striking grasp of life’s complexities is mirrored by a pure modesty, allowing listeners to immerse themselves into the stories, songs and experiences of Poor Nameless Boy without pretense. With no desire to be seen as a brand or commodity, his humanistic proposition is entirely irresistible, and as a songwriter, effortlessly engaging.

Showcases:
Thursday, February 14 at 1:00AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room
Friday, February 15 at 11:30PM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Post Script distills optimistic melancholia by exploring their entwined histories. The striking effervescence of Steph Blais in harmonic unity with Paul Cournoyer's rich baritone creates a conduit for the voices of their franco-albertan roots to resound with the reflection of modern humanity. The guitar pendulum swings from Nashville pulse to crystalline delicacy, weaving the soothing tone of Paul's stand up bass with enigmatic familiarity. Like a lustrous new dress stitched from vintage cloth Post Script is a gasp of nostalgia in a breath of fresh air.

Showcase time:
Saturday, February 16 at 11:30PM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Resonant, acoustic chamber folk with an otherworldly edge, and a lyric presence that cuts deep. Prism-clear vocals and strings; A combination of vocal agility and power. Raine’s new album, Night Sky, tips between the earthly and the otherworldly; it is anchored in relatable lived experience, while reaching into the space just beyond, thinning the veil between here and there, affording safe passage to the rough and beautiful places. Alongside cello + double bass, and with Raine on violin or guitar, these songs have a moving string quartet feel with a cosmic reach.

Showcase Time:
Thursday, February 14 at 2:30AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Prairie proto-pop avant-folk trio Red Moon Road has been touring their unique brand of modern Canadian roots music for 6 years steady, taking their last album Sorrows And Glories across Canada, the USA, and the UK/EU, to universal acclaim. Finally following up after hundreds of shows and thousands of kilometres, these troubadours are taking time to distill those experiences into song. Currently in the writing and recording process for an upcoming full-length studio album, these timely new works are a beautiful evolution of their distinct style. Ranging from defiant and assertive anthems for the volatile socio-political climate, to delicate admissions of raw vulnerability, expect to hear singles dropping in early 2019. 

Showcase time:
Thursday, February 14 at 10:30PM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Rosie & the Riveters’ pop- folk anthems paint a portrait of a woman’s voice in a man’s world. The Canadian trio's unmistakable red lipstick and moniker may be deceiving, but don't be fooled – they are not a throwback band. Listen closely to hear playfully defiant lyrics and confident harmonies that empower and challenge the status quo.

Showcases:
Saturday , February 16 at 10:30PM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Calgary’s Reuben and the Dark is a collection of five multi-instrumentalists and vocalists led by Reuben Bullock. The group makes chilling, emotive folk and soul driven by dark, introspective lyrics that explore the duality of misery and joy. Boasting a rare chemistry between all members across western Canada, Reuben and the Dark has emerged organically from Canada’s stellar independent scene on the strength of often anthemic compositions that translate the language of emotion into song with haunting clarity.

Showcase time:
Friday, February 15 at 12:30AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Vancouver alt-folk artist Sam Lynch is a wanderer and a restless mind, who sings her heart onto her sleeve by way of reflective, honest lyrics, and a nuanced, emotionally transparent live performance. She stands armed with a guitar and a voice that carries echoes from decades passed, yet still commands space in the current tapestry, garnering her comparisons to the likes of Feist, Phoebe Bridgers and Margaret Glaspy.

Showcase time:
Thursday, February 14 at 12:00AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Although born in Victoria BC, Shaela Miller has spent the majority of her life in the windy southern Alberta city of Lethbridge and has been honing her skill as a songwriter for over ten years. Her affinity for the classic country greats of the yesteryear gives her an unparalleled disposition as an original ambassador of a new wave of country music. When asked to describe her music she replies simply: "Honky Tonk". But that’s certainly not all it is. Tear in your beer ballads, dance hall shuffles and dark alt-country noir craft work are all part of the package. With a voice that will send shivers up your spine and a penchant for turning a phrase that will make you relish in its simple eloquence, Shaela’s musical force is unabated and unrivaled.

Showcase time:
Wednesday, February 13 at 1:30AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Slow Leaves is Winnipeg songwriter Grant Davidson. Enough About Me (2017), recorded with members of Bahamas and Imaginary Cities, marks his second studio album under the moniker Slow Leaves. He was selected to the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class, has toured throughout Canada and Europe, and is currently working on a new record in which he continues to explore ideas of impermanence and imperfection; writing on themes of lost time, the elusive nature of wisdom, romantic realism, the struggle to reconcile family life, art, and aging, and finding poetry in ordinary things; a humanity that shines in even the darkest corners.

Showcase Time:
Saturday, February 16 at 11:00PM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Released on Pheromone Recordings on April 14, 2017, Daybreak Over Jackson Street is the keenly-anticipated second album from Steph Cameron. The Saskatoon-based roots singer/songwriter arrived on the scene like a bracing gust of fresh musical air with her 2014 debut record Sad-Eyed Lonesome Lady receiving unanimously enthusiastic reviews.

“This is a monumental, brilliant album… heralds the crowning of a bright new talent,” declared Pop Matters in calling it the #1 Canadian album of 2014.

No Depression termed it “a stunning debut,” while Exclaim! noted that “Sad-Eyed Lonesome Lady delights from start to finish. Steph Cameron is the real deal.” The record also made the coveted Longlist for the prestigious Polaris Prize in 2015. The enthusiastic response to Sad-Eyed Lonesome Lady led Steph into extensive touring, playing the folk festival circuit and, memorably, opening up for Buffy Sainte-Marie.

If Steph Cameron’s debut felt as if it emerged fully-formed from the bohemian streets of Greenwich Village circa 1963, then the extra maturity of Daybreak Over Jackson Street gives it more of an early ‘70s Laurel or Topanga Canyon atmosphere.

The release of her sophomore album, which Three Chords and the Truth (UK) dubbed a “masterpiece of social commentary”, has brought her to both the U.K. and Europe where she continues to charm audiences with songs and stories from an uncommon life. Cameron’s evocative voice and perceptive lyrics continue to captivate, as does her evolving yet still fluent acoustic guitar work. “I continue to work at the tradition of folk, but old country sounds, particularly guitar, are prominent in this record.” she analyses. 

Now, as 2018 winds down, Steph Cameron surprises fans with new music, a gorgeous Americana-slanted version of Stevie Nicks' Fleetwood Mac standard "Gold Dust Woman". It is Steph's first full band recording and it is an absolute beauty. Watch for it on Steph's third album to be released in 2019.

Showcases:

Wednesday, February 13 at 2:00AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room
Saturday, February 16 at 12:30AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

In Buckley’s fifth album, “Miles We Put Behind”, he has veered off the straight Alberta country roads, landing in the Banff Centre for the Arts where he met Grammy-nominated producer and engineer, Howard Bilerman.  The in-studio chemistry was undeniable, and soon Buckley found himself on a new stylistic route, eschewing his country past for a more polished, honeyed and honest sound. Miles We Put Behind was recorded at Hotel2Tango, a 24-track analogue recording studio in Montreal, and is inspired by the music of Texas great songwriters - Guy Clark, James McMurtry and Lyle Lovett. This project is a collection of mature, introspective songs, interrogating what it means to be a husband, father, and most importantly, keen observer of the world around him.

Showcase time:

Friday, February 15 at 2:30AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

The Long War is a Vancouver based Indie Band with haunting harmonies, unique songwriting and a modern Canadian sound. Singer/song writer Jarrett Lee works together with vocalist/guitarist Chad Gilmour, vocalist/keyboardist Jessica Lee, vocalist/drummer Neil Williamson, and bassist Carson Webber to create a dynamic sound thatranges from Folk to Rock. Jarrett’s inspiration can largely be attributed to the landscapes and environments that have influenced him throughout his life. Building out from this foundation Chad, Jessica and Neil provide vocal support through their harmonies bringing Jarrett’s lyrical imagery to life, defining the music of The Long War.

Showcase time:

Saturday, February 16 at 1:00AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Punching through the walls of tradition, The McDades’ celtic rooted music fuses the spontaneity of jazz improvisation and infectious global rhythms. Their cutting edge sound isthe perfect complement to their fiery performances. “It’s hot stuff and very entertaining.” (Tom Knapp, Dirty Linen)

Showcase time:
Thursday, February 14 at 11:00PM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Roots powerhouse duo The Small Glories are Cara Luft & JD Edwards, a musical tour-de-force partnership planted on the Canadian Prairies.  Thrown together purely by accident for an anniversary show at Winnipeg’s venerable West End Cultural Centre, The Small Glories is a partnership that could almost make you believe in fate.  Straight out of the gate these two veteran singer/songwriters built an international buzz around their tight harmonies, emotional authenticity, explosive live performances and equally well-matched guitar prowess.  Fairport Convention drummer Dave Mattacks captures them perfectly: "Think The Civil Wars but less pretentious, with better songs and more guts."  Americana UK writes, “some things just work together: the Lennon and McCartney syndrome – and to witness a performance by The Small Glories is a rare opportunity to experience that indefinable quality that creates perfection... ” TSG's sophomore album comes out in early 2019.

Showcase time:
Friday, February 15 at 12:00AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room

Life and art both move in cycles. While working on their second full-length album, the aptly titled Full Circle [NETTWERK], Twin Bandit grew personally and creatively amidst life’s unpredictable ebb and flow. Throughout that experience, the Vancouver-based duo progressed as songwriters and musicians, delicately expanding their sonic palette of folk, alternative, and country and opened up lyrically like never before. Full Circle represents the next chapter of a journey these two musicians began four years ago. Along the way, they racked up over 27 million Spotify streams. The world got to meet the girls on the critically acclaimed 'For You', which garnered praise from The Bluegrass Situation, Folk Alley, Exclaim! and many others. Between standout festival appearances, they’ve performed to passionate crowds across Europe and North America. 

Showcase times:
Wednesday, February 13 at 12:30AM – BreakOut West Showcase – LG Tech Room