Days Gone By - 2014 MoM Line-up, in no particular order . . .
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Dirty Grace
Dirty Grace is a trio of songwriters who formed in 2007 on traditional Lekwungen territory (Victoria, BC). The band produces a playful mix of music ranging from the provocatively cheeky to the intimately introspective, while exploring music’s ability to expose, shake-down, tickle and heal the human spirit. Deep, moving three-part harmonies swelling under contagious melodies characterize the Dirty Grace sound. With musical flavors ranging from dixieland, swing, tribal indie-pop to alternative hip hop, Dirty Grace offers up a soulful circusy soundtrack for the times we’re living in. After three cross-Canada tours, a few meditation retreats and a deep dive into clown school the band continues to develop its live show into an interactive, honest experience that works just as well for a small crowd at a house concert or café, as it does at a large club or festival. In summer of 2012, Dirty Grace released its first EP, “Snow Into Fire,” supported by an overwhelmingly well-received tour from the east to the west of Canada. In the summer of 2013 the band toured such festivals as Campbell Bay, Harrison Hot Springs, Whistler Children’s Fest, Bella Coola, Kispiox Valley, Arts Wells and Robson Valley. The response from the audiences there filled the band with inspiration, gratitude and a clarity as to the direction they want to take their offering. |
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Sarah Elizabeth
sarahelizabethmusic.blogspot.ca “A bright and vibrant performer…. I can’t wait to place her CD in my jukebox.” - Patricia Martin, owner of the Historic Rolla Pub Sarah Elizabeth has been singing songs since she was knee-high to a grasshopper, as her grandmother would say. Growing up in the isolated, coastal town of Powell River, Sarah turned to music at a young age to pass the dreary and rain-soaked winters. After years of performing with choral groups and in musical theatre, she picked up a guitar in university and began crafting her own tunes, as well as wandering across the globe, from Mexico to South East Asia to Halifax to Africa and to Northern BC. Her songs also drift from the humorous to the heart-breaking. Sometimes there's a ukulele thrown in the mix… and, on occasion, a glockenspiel. |
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Scott Cook and the Second Chances
scottcook.net Alberta, Canada's prairie balladeer Scott Cook is a tirelessly traveling DIY songwriter with heart forever on sleeve. Road-worn, painfully honest, and deeply human, his straight-talking tunes weave together folk, roots, blues, soul and country with spacious fingerstyle guitar and clawhammer banjo arrangements. Cook has been making a full-time living at music since 2007, touring extensively across Canada, the US, Europe, Asia and Australia, and is currently on tour in support of his fourth release, One More Time Around, which Canada's premier roots music magazine Penguin Eggs calls "as much a manifesto as a musical work," teeming with "wry observations and hopeful life lessons." Its opening track "Pass It Along" won the Folk and Acoustic category in the 2013 UK Songwriting Contest, with UK magazine Maverick Country naming him "one of Canada's most inspiring and imaginative storytellers". Fellow Canadian songwriter and three-time Juno winner David Francey sums it up: "Scott Cook has distilled his travels down into songs powered by a sharp eye for imagery, a healthy dose of humanity, and that unforgettable voice, that at the same time intones the rigors of the road and the most comfortable couch you have ever slept on." |
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Smashing out a beat with a rusty chain on a dirty old broiler pan and a suitcase kick drum, this one man show can entertain like a full band without a microphone.
Scott is a singer, songwriter and one man band extraordinaire from Prince George, BC. Like anyone he's trying to figure out what it's all about. When he finds out he'll let you know by stomping out songs about it with as much fire as he can muster. |
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Devil in the Wood Shack
devilinthewoodshack.bandcamp.com Devil In The Wood Shack, based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is a six-piece, acoustic-based band with unapologetic honesty, more guts than glory and more intrigue than a well told story. Raw and untamed; a hurricane that hates the rain; a sound straight from hell riding on drunken angel wings. With western, gypsy, punk and blues influences and members from opposite ends of the country, we come together to make a sound like no other. The band original formed in 2011 as a three-piece with Joshua Wood on lead vocals and guitar, Wesley Coderre on guitar, mouth harp and vocals, and Rory Troughton on drums/percussion. In the beginning of 2013, three new members were brought in – Thalia Coutuer on vocals, her sister Justine Marie on keys and Cello, and Conrad Shynkar on stand up bass and trumpet. Together, we are Devil In The Wood Shack. |
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Raghu Lokanathan
raghumusic.com This spring, Raghu Lokanathan will be touring to support his new album, Blue Girl, a collection of songs that integrate all the shifting attitudes and styles of his last seven years of writing and learning; an album that reflects his developing vision of himself as a performing and recording musician; an album that takes bold risks and vividly spins the stories of characters that are as likable and warped and dignified and unlikely as the grinning, smoking man himself. Raghu is a thin, bearded, bespectacled man who will smile if you look at him. Almost a decade ago, he came to Prince George on the run, to live in the care of his brother, a daydreaming surgeon. Raghu’s latest experiment in the countryside of Nova Scotia had led him to conclude that he was not cut out to be a farmer. He was relieved to find that all he had left were the songs he’d made, and a drive to keep making more. |
Dead Body Juice
Dead Body Juice are Astrid and Steve. They are Hootstock. They are an unshakable force.
Dead Body Juice are Astrid and Steve. They are Hootstock. They are an unshakable force.
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Tereza Tomek
“Tereza Tomek is a fantastic singer-songwriter artist purely set in the folk tradition where story, culture and context are immensely important to the art. Tomek is a great talent and a welcome return to what all the music was originally meant to be.” –Ryan Fletcher, Radio Host (Melodies in Mind, CJSF 90.1) “Tereza Tomek is a genuine entertainer. She captures the hearts and minds of the audience and brings everyone to a camaraderie, that with the diversity of the crowd is not easily attained. Tereza is full of energy, diverse and real!!! I see a lot of entertainers in my venue and I definitely believe in Tereza. “ –Patricia Martin (Owner/Booker, Rolla Pub) |
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Bismuth
Bismuth is a three piece alternative metal band from the depths of the Robson Valley. We have been together for four years and counting. We strive to create a diverse and original sound influenced by the likes of Mastodon, Porcupine Tree and Primus. |
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Samantha Scott
facebook.com/SamanthaScottMusic Samantha Scott is a powerful voice that expresses much about what we feel Mom is about... Samantha Scott uplifts us with her strong folky rhythms and illuminating lyrical style. Influenced by a life on the move her music will take you from the Northern nights, to the Southern cities of B.C. She reminds us that, on the road to life, "you may not be where you want to be, but you can always see what you want to see." "Samantha's soul and her sympathies pervade the room, so she commands your heart and your affection instantly, before you've heard her sing or even speak. Watch her some time and you'll see: Samantha has only to step out in front of the mic and she owns you. Anything she does after that is, by any standard, over and above -Dave Soroka, Canadian Folk Luminary. |
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En Pointe Dance
At En Pointe Dance Studio we believe in "fun first" teaching. Our goal is for students to enjoy class and to find a balance between hard work, dedication, and of course having a good time! We offer both competitive classes (travel required) as well as recreational classes (participation in the year end recital is mandatory) to fit every schedule and every budget. |
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Jen Lane and John Antoniuk
smokekiller.com Think of Steve Earle and Allison Moorer or Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons and you get a good idea of where these two Saskatoon singer-songwriters are coming from. They compliment one another beautifully as they perform each other's music. John Antoniuk comes from the indie-folk side of life and Jen Lane has a little more country in her repertoire. Together, they create straight ahead rhythms and harmonies that complete the musical package. They have performed many times on a National stage showcasing at Canadian Music Week, North by Northeast and Prairie Scene, and achieved international recognition with four showcases at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. |
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Crystal Charlotte
My artworks express what I see beneath the surface of people, animals, plants, places. I use symbols, color, text, and a layering process that is infused with prayer for healing: to heal myself, to heal others, to heal communities and our relationship with the Earth. Sometimes my art is a call, drawing attention to an issue that needs redress; sometimes it's a chance to steal a moment for beauty and contemplation during our busy lives- we all need recharging and I have no doubt Art does that for us... Sometimes it is meant to transform the space where it hangs- to give a feeling of compassion and sanctuary. I live in my relationship to Our Creator, and I perceive the world in the context of the Four Directions Medicine Wheel as it was taught to me by my respected Elders when I was young. Everyday I wake up wondering how I can serve my relations...I even dream about it. Ideas come and go, many see fruit and many stay dormant and develop over time... As I approach mid-life, I've finally come to understand that nothing is really wasted when you are an Artist... you just have lots of "compost" for later. My Education includes a Bachelor of Arts Major in First Nation Studies, and 3 years of part time training in Visual Art. I recently completed training in the Color of Woman Method by Shiloh Sophia McCloud and have begun delivering workshops to those who wish to create their own healing Art. |
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Apocalyptic Sex Folk
An Apocalypse A Sexy Apocalypse A Sexy Folky Rockin' Apocalypse Apocalyptic Sex Folk!! |
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Barefoot Caravan
Barefoot Caravan is a five-piece project based out of the North Okanagan. This dance-it-up World Fusion group blends up-beat Soca, Afro-Cuban and Reggae rhythms with melodic three part harmonies and organic under-tones. Roots music, raw and true; naturally compelling your body to move. |
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Corin Raymond
corinraymond.com The Past Year: It seems to Corin that he’s been riding the rapids of his life for years now. It’s hard for him to remember the last time he sat still. This past year has definitely been a white-water ride: touring through ‘historical’ snowstorms in Arkansas, Texas, and four other states; crossing the provinces from ON to BC and back at least 4 times, and covering 30,000 kilometres of that road with Jonathan Byrd, a songwriter from Chapel Hill, North Carolina who Corin heard for the first time in Austin, TX, in 2006, and with whom Corin has shared the cabs of a lot of touring vehicles since, given up more than a few airplane window seats to, and written a number of unbreakable songs with, including the title track of Corin’s most recent album, 2009's There Will Always Be A Small Time. |
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Folky Strum Strum
www.folkystrumstrum.com Folk - the traditional and typically anonymous music that is an expression of the life of people in a community Strum - sound the strings of (a string instrument) Folky Strum Strum - “The group has been described by fans as having a unique and soulful sound, that is backed by exceptional songwriting.” with musicians all reigning within an hour and 15mins proximity of Rolla ,BC There is constant talk about style in music. We analyze genres and scenes, we pick apart influences and commonalities. For the most part, and I say this with no great joy, bands can be categorized. But the Folky Strum Strum became more than a genre or scene or a fusion of styles. "They" are, "the touching voice of something beyond human". Hearing their songs live was like tapping into actual meaning. |
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Zonnis
Music is magical. Born out of a desire to spread peace, love and good times, the music of Zonnis is the musical love-child of Andrea and Adam Zonnis, two star-crossed lovers who were born to rock together. The music encompasses a vast range of styles, from blues to country to funk and psychedelic rock. Shows can be tailored to any audience, be it family fun sing-a-longs or crass adult comedy. Surrounded by a revolving cast of Victoria's finest musicians, Zonnis promises an exciting and unpredictable show that will warm your heart and tickle your brain. Adam Zonnis started learning violin at the tender age of 5 and plays a wide variety of instruments including guitar, banjo, harmonica and trumpet. His unparalleled musical genius has been showcased across Western Canada and Central America touring with Ballgag 'n' Chain and his one man band. Andrea Zonnis started performing at age 8 singing locally at community events and festivals. Later she went on to study Opera at UVIC and then Musical Theatre at the Canadian College of Performing Arts. She then fell in love with Rock and Funk and turned her attention to writing songs and singing in bands. Her powerful, soulful vocals have taken her across the world performing in Holland, Japan, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Western Canada. |
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The Party On High StreetTravis Charuk - Electric & Acoustic Guitar/ Vox
Brin Porter - Electric & Double Bass/ Vox Nick Houghton- Drums & Percussion / Vox .......... Praises for the Party......... "So long as guys in The Party on High Street are dancing along with the audience, they’re doing what they set out to do: start the party." - Victoria News "The Party bobbed and boogied with relaxed joie de vivre" - Times Colonist "...a great blend of groove and party...they will keep you moving all night long" - The Martlet "...this is the band from 'Into The Wild' " - Nikko of Savage Blade 'This is music for shimmying, for funking your way through a Friday night. The Party on High Street delivers high-energy funk music, rarely slowing down to give the dancing masses a breath.' - The Martlet |
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Joey Only
Joey Only has played 1000 shows in 10 provinces and some territories in Canada, and is destined to be a Canadiana Country classic. He’s a social outlaw and a political radical, a mountain man, a goldminer, a father, a husband and always has his wife Ms. Leah Martin on stage. Mostly he just wants to kick ass when showtime arrives using his unique cross-over of Waylon style outlaw-country pickin and down home Stompin Tom attitude towards all things Canadiana. |
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Twin Peaks
twinpeaksmusic.ca Rich harmonies, a piano, a guitar, two ukeleles and unlimited wit are at the heart of Twin Peaks - an emerging duo that embraces indie folk with undertones of country and contemporary blues. Naomi Shore and Lindsay Pratt - although very diverse in their musical histories - have successfully combined individual experiences into a unique blend of genres. It is eclectic, creative and clever. Born and raised in the northern BC community of Fort St. John, their music reflects small town wisdom with lively humour and tunes that immediately capture an audience. Twin Peaks has a faithful following that started with hometown fans and continues to expand exponentially as they tour. "Tweakers" - as their fan base fondly refers to itself - are in love with the girls as well as their music. Lindsay and Naomi's onstage chemistry is totally infectious. They provide their audience with the whole meal deal: undeniably catchy tunes, totally adorable eye candy and a good laugh. Both girls swim in gene pools of talent, wit and family love. They manage to combine all of these attributes into an endearing, heart catching, foot stomping act. |
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Zahirah Middle Eastern Bellydancers
The Zahirah Middle Eastern Bellydancers are a professional Middle Eastern Dance troupe based in Prince George, B.C. Canada, founded and directed by professional dancer and instructor Halawa(Sandra Tanemura). Troupe Zahriah started performing officially as a group in September of 2006. The word ' Zahirah' in Arabic means shiny ladies, and that we are! All the ladies are talented, beautiful, and soulful with unique styles and experiences. Each of the women have individual backgrounds in dance and music and bring to the troupe a range of body acceptance and sensuality that is portrayed in their dancing. The Troupe Zahirah is dedicated to providing authentic Middle Eastern Dance entertainment. A living art form, Middle Eastern Dance is enriched by interpretations and modern influences. Troupe Zahirah honors the roots of this ancient dance through traditional styles, while simultaneously contrbuting to the eveolution of the dance through comtemporary interpretation. With and emphasis on vibrant, dynamic performances, Zahirah's goal is to promote the art of Middle Eastern Dance and to correctly educate the public about this beautiful art form. |
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Darcy Windover
darcywindover.com It's a great feeling when you turn on the radio and hear a new song that immediately resonates; you start singing along and moving to the beat, while cranking up the volume. Darcy Windover writes those songs, and his original work is both familiar and brand new all at the same time. On the uptempo side of roots-rock, his songs charge along like a freight train, while the ballads are heartfelt and anthemic. The grit and hope of Dylan, the melodic sensibilities of Neil Young or Ryan Adams, and the driving style of the Rolling Stones are honored in Windover's songwriting and playing. Between solo shows, Darcy writes and plays with the country/roots band, The Ole Fashion, with fellow singer/songwriters Sarah Burton and Melanie Brûlée. Songs like "Hipster Queen" and "Cried All Night" evoke the spirit of the glory days of the Grand Ole Opry, while touching on current issues. Long-time friends and band members Kurt Nielsen, Robin Pirson, and the General (Kevin Neal) round out the band. Kevin will be accompanying Darcy on this summer tour on backing vocals, pedal steel, guitar and banjo. They don't call him the General for nothing! |
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Bill and IngridBill and Ingrid are well loved performers from right here in Fort St. James. They have been teaching and entertaining us with Ingrid's beautiful and haunting voice, and Bill's guitar riffs and bass tracks.
Well known for great blues, country and rock covers, they will be bringing out some of their original material this year so don't miss their show! |
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High Society
In 2010 Chelsea D.E. Johnson and Adam Farnsworth started a bi-monthly showcase called Sunday’s Best. They took on the name and two players: the multi-instrumentalist Ashton Sweet on the baritone saxophone and the well-toured percussionist Kenan Sungur on drums. The night became a local hit and the band grew tighter as they prepared new material for each show. In 2011 the group changed their name to High Society and brought their material to Mushroom Records and CBC Studio 2 to record their self-titled, debut album. They have featured as a main act at the Robson Valley Music Festival and Arts Wells, backed burlesque troupes, rocked house parties,cafés, bars and theatres across Western Canada and are eager to make the leap to the East Coast tour circuit. High Society is based out of Vancouver, B.C. Their second full-length album On the Run was released March, 2014. Many say this young rock and roll outfit is bound for glory: "Best live band in East Van. right now, period!" – C.R. Avery "Their face meltingly awesome first video; this will tickle the loins of your ears and tantalize the cockles of your eyes." – Shane Koyczan |
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Steve Brockley Band
stevebrockley.com Folk Music isn’t usually this greasy 2013 was a busy one for the Steve Brockley Band. After the April 16th release of their 2nd album, “LeBoeuf”, produced by John Raham (Be Good Tanyas, Frazey Ford, Po’ Girl), the BC-based folk-country trio hit the road for 3 separate Cross-Canada tours, showcased at NXNE in Toronto and played at several summer festivals. 2014 is already starting to look busy with Folk Alliance in Kansas City coming up in February and festivals beginning to fill out the summer. Since its release in April, there’s been plenty of critical buzz surrounding LeBoeuf with Saskatoon’s Planet S Magazine saying, “LeBoeuf sees Brockley and his bandmates displaying a more mature sound that strikes a balance between swagger and narrative.” And according to the Vancouver Music Review, “[Steve Brockley Band] reminds me of the charmingly clever lyrics of Jeremy Fisher but with a more Southern drawl. If you’re into Canadiana country folk, this is the band for you…..” And Penguin Eggs Magazine calling LeBoeuf ”a delightfully laid back affair.” |
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Karyn Ellis
karynellis.com Guelph Mercury calls her “a revelation”. Globe and Mail says Karyn Ellis is a “must-see” songstress and has “a magical way with song.” Whether singing poignant tunes-of-the-heart or leading raucous sing-a-longs, Karyn is captivating, funny and smart in song and banter. And, that voice! Delicate and dynamic, she delivers thoughtful, crafted lyrics about every day wonders, beauty and hope. To date Karyn has independently released four albums – her most recent one More Than A Hero came out this winter – and has played over five hundred live appearances. She engages audiences both across Canada and internationally: tens of thousands of views on youtube, her songs appearing on over 100 playlists on CBC Radio 3 and a healthy fan following on facebook and other social media sites.Photo Credit: Emma-Lee Photography |
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Ingrid Gatin
Ingrid Gatin creates soundscapes and dreamscapes, pulling the listener along into her reveries with her soulful and sultry voice. You can hear strains of 70’s soul in the air, and hints of Balkan bravado, but through it all Ingrid evokes emotion, longing, and romance in every song. Ingrid’s new full-length album 1000 lives was created with grammy-nominated engineer/producer Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, Basia Bulat, The Dears) between a loft and a church in Winnipeg and Howard’s studio in Montréal. (February 2013 release) |
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Black Spruce Bog
blacksprucebog.com "They’re gooders. Gooders means bestest. Bestest means build a porch and put ‘em on it!" Benoit - Fort St. James, BC With roots set deep in the northern BC soil, Black Spruce Bog brings a sound and tells the stories of people and the land they live on. The mossy floor of a spruce bog is not an easy place to thrive; but with the right mix of rhythm, rhyme, and ruckus, any sapling can find the light. Comprised of members from various local groups (Canadian Waste, the Salt Water Bros., Ivan and Wyn, and the Bricks), the band’s sound is a giant soup pot of BC Canadiana – mix a large helping of roots, bluegrass and folk in with a hint of funk, a dash of jazz, and a healthy dollop of old time rock ‘n roll. Serve hot. |
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Doug Koyama
Doug Koyama makes songs about love. Each impromptu composition is the expression of the moment in which it exists. "Improvised A Capella is the art of getting out of the way of the music that naturally wants to come from you. All you need to remember is take a breath, make a sound, keep going." Improvised A Capella with a loop pedal is the most compelling thing you've never heard before. Rich vocals are looped in limitless layers of interlocking patterns where poly-rhythm and discordance dance on impossible aural landscapes. Invented language introduces the idea of storytelling without the encumbrance of words, the whole thing melts into an experience that will leave you breathless. "I believe that music is in us when we are born and that the details of life slowly suppress it as we grow." Doug says, adding, "When we reconnect with that internal symphony we reawaken ideas of self, connection and joy." |
