Folk

Basia Bulat is a singer-songwriter living in Montreal, Canada. She offers both a distinctive voice and artistry that pulls as much from R&B and soul as it does from classic folk. In addition to her skills as a powerhouse vocalist, Bulat is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, recording and performing on electric guitar, piano, autoharp, ukulele, bass and charango.

Her talent has also been recognized at scale: her songs have been adapted for major performances with symphony orchestras, and she has been invited to perform at prestigious tributes to Leonard Cohen, Daniel Lanois, Nick Cave, and The Band. Since releasing her debut, she has shared the stage with artists like St Vincent, Sufjan Stevens, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The National, Michael Kiwanuka, Daniel Lanois, Beirut, Destroyer, US Girls, Jim James and more. She’s been featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, performed on the #LateShowMeMusic Series on Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Later with Jools Holland, and received support from The Needle Drop, The New York Times and more. Bulat is a three-time Polaris Music Prize finalist and has been nominated for five JUNO Awards.

BASIA’S PALACE ALBUM: Let’s get one thing out of the way: Basia Bulat doesn’t live in a château. The property at the heart of the songwriter’s new studio album is at once her apartment, her jam-space—and the inside of her head. Basia’s Palace is a place festooned with love and memory, bad wiring; it’s a paradise that comes alive in the wee hours of the night, at a time that’s suited to video games and Leonard Cohen records, when you sit in all that richness, taking in all the mess we inherit.

Reuniting with co-producer Mark Lawson, she found herself moving through a dreamworld of whispers, synths and early Eurovision tunes, Cohen’s I’m Your Man and Air’s Moon Safari, her great uncle’s gauzy Maryla Rodowicz LPs. The result feels like an album that was concealed behind the backings of Bulat’s childhood photos—tracks like “My Angel,” where mystery and romance mingle over squelchy synths + drum-machine, with a soaring string arrangement by Drew Jurecka (Dua Lipa, Alvvays), or “Laughter”— which was mixed, like all tracks on the record, by legendary engineer Tucker Martine (Beth Orton, Neko Case, The National)— that takes a quiet domestic scene and sees it build to a deafening sublime. “Disco Polo” is a track Bulat’s been threatening to make forever—a folk-song named for a genre of trashy Polish dance music that was beloved of her father—whereas “Baby,” which took years to finish, makes an elegant dance number out of an oh-too-familiar predicament: “Baby, baby, baby,” Basia sings, “I don’t learn!” At some moments there are shades of Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot’s “Bonnie and Clyde” or Charles Aznavour’s “Emmenez-Moi”; at others it’s the silicon-shiny sweetness of The Cardigans’ “Lovefool” or Air’s Moon Safari.

Basia’s Palace is set to be released February 21st, 2025 via Secret City Records.

Jake Vaadeland is a self taught multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Saskatchewan, Canada. His traditional sound and unique style could be defined as a blend of Bluegrass and 50s Rockabilly. Jake strives to write and play with a focus on storytelling and messages that he hopes his audience can relate to, all packaged in foot stomping, high energy performances with The Sturgeon River Boys.

In 2022, Jake received 2 Saskatchewan Music Awards, including Album of the Year for his album Everybody But Me, along with Roots/Folk Artist of the Year. He followed that up in 2023 by once again winning the Roots/Folk Artist of the Year. He was awarded four 2022 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards, including Fans Choice Entertainer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Alternative Album of the Year & Emerging Artist of the Year, and again followed up in 2023 by winning the Alternative Album award for the 2nd year in row. Jake was also nominated for Roots/Folk Artist of the Year at the 2023 Western Canadian Music Awards.

Jake had another big year at the 2024 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards, taking home 4 awards including Male Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Video of the Year & Interactive Artist of the Year. He was also nominated for Best New Touring Artist at the Canadian Live Music Industry Awards and is nominated once again for Roots/Folk Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards.

His new album, Retro Man…More And More (Expanded Edition) was released in April, 2024, This was followed up in May, 2024 when Jake joined Platinum selling Canadian country artist, Tebey for the release of their single, Wake Me Up (the Bluegrass Rendition). These releases are being supported by extensive tours in Canada, USA, UK and EU. Jake Vaadeland & the Sturgeon River Boys have developed a reputation as one of the hardest working independent bands in the business. True road warriors, they are passionate about taking their music directly to their quickly growing fanbase around the world.

The Fugitives are an acoustic folk-roots group headed by songwriters Adrian Glynn and Brendan McLeod. They’re joined by banjo player Chris Suen (Viper Central) and violinist Carly Frey (The Coal Porters). Over their first five albums, they’ve amassed a JUNO nomination, 6 CFMA nominations, and toured extensively through Canada, Europe, and the UK.

Performance highlights include major Canadian folk festivals, a Glastonbury performance, and a tour supporting  Buffy Sainte-Marie. In 2020, the band created RIDGE, a WW1-centered theatre show. Ridge has been performed at theatres across Canada and was named a Globe & Mail Top Arts Pick of the Year.

The band has earned a reputation for unforgettable live shows, brimming with complex harmonies, infectious storytelling, and top-notch musicianship.

Julian Taylor is a Toronto-based, award-winning independent singer-songwriter, radio host, and label owner. Over 20-plus years as the leader of Staggered Crossing, Julian Taylor Band, and his solo work, Julian established himself as one of Canada’s great troubadours. He has earned three JUNO nominations, a pair of Canadian Folk Music Awards, five Native American Music Award nominations, and a nomination for the Polaris Music Prize.

"Taylor is a unique and important voice on the Canadian roots-and-folk scene.”- The Globe & Mail.

"Among Canada’s most premier songwriters. Ultimately, Taylor remains unparalleled” – Spill Magazine.

The name Cantrip is an Old Scots word meaning a charm, magic spell or piece of mischief and it aptly describes the unexpected twists and turns in their musical arrangements, likewise the compelling potency of their musicianship. Swirling border pipes, raging fiddle, thunderous guitar and three rich voices blend to create a sound energetic enough to tear the roof off. 

Originally formed as a quartet, Cantrip sprung from a local session in Edinburgh nearly twenty years ago. Their driving music immediately caught the attention of the masses, and they were quickly signed to the Foot Stompin' label. After a period of hiatus in which children were born and continents were left for new ones, Cantrip redefined its sound. Trimming itself to a trio, the band tightened its arrangements while expanding its influence. This more mature sound debuted on their recent release "The Crossing" (2016). In late 2019, they spent a week in their original home of Edinburgh creating and recording new music. This seminal album showed a new and darker side of the group while preserving the elements that audiences have come to know and love. After 20 years of touring, Cantrip has found a character like no other. Since 2023, the band is back to being a quartet, featuring Dan Houghton, Jon Bews, Eric McDonald, and now Alasdair White (Battlefield Band).

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Cape Breton is in his DNA

MURRAY McLAUCHLAN

          ...HOURGLASS

Murray McLauchlan is one of Canada’s most highly regarded singer/songwriters, and with good cause. Over a 50-year career, he has released 20 albums and been awarded 11 Junos. His songs Farmer’s Song, Down by the Henry Moore, Whispering Rain and Sweeping the Spotlight Away are now considered Canadian standards. Murray is also a painter, an author, an actor, a radio host; he's been bestowed an Honourary Doctor of Laws and appointed to The Order of Canada. That’s quite a ride. For many years Murray’s touring had been restricted to Lunch At Allen's, whose members also include Ian Thomas, Marc Jordan and Cindy Church. But with the release  of his critically acclaimed  Hourglass, he’s back on the road treating concert goers to a seamless blend of old and new.

Here’s what he has to say: “As a songwriter I know that it's not enough to sit in your kitchen and write. Your songs need to be heard. Music is a communicative art and if it isn't brought in front of people there is no way to tell if that end has been met. I like to think of a concert tour as a kind of roving gallery to test your art and your ideas. I try to do my very best to make it worthwhile for folks to be there and to perhaps look at things in a new way when they leave.”

And this, in a nutshell, is the Murray McLauchlan concert experience.

" It might have been a large theatre but it felt like a group of friends sitting in a living room listening to tales from the son who hit the road to share his music ... special, memorable, warm and, quite simply, Murray McLauchlan at his best."  - Kamloops This Week

Summertime Dream Productions presents

CLASSIC LIGHTFOOT LIVE

The Original and Finest Possible Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot

The Authentic Concert Experience

Take a trip down memory lane….with CLASSIC LIGHTFOOT LIVE!

Classic Lightfoot Live stands as Canada’s premier tribute to the legendary folk rocker, Gordon Lightfoot. Led by the remarkable ensemble of vocalist and guitarist John Stinson, music director and multi-instrumentalist Bob Doidge (Gord’s record producer), bassist Steve Eyers(Gord’s nephew),lead guitarist Eric Kidd(Red Shea trained), this show whisks you down a nostalgic journey through Lightfoot’s iconic music.

Gordon Lightfoot’s impact on music is immeasurable; he’s hailed as Canada’s greatest songwriter, shaping the folk-pop sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s. His name is synonymous with timeless tales of trains, shipwrecks, rivers, highways, love, and solitude. His repertoire, including classics like “For Lovin’ Me,” “Early Morning Rain,” and “Ribbon of Darkness,” have left an indelible mark on the world.

Classic Lightfoot Live was founded in 2012 by lead vocalist, John Stinson, a long time Ontario musician. John has been entertaining audiences around Ontario for over 30 years.  He has been widely praised for his uncanny sonic resemblance to Gord, and his attention to replicating Gord’s original studio recordings. John was mentored to play Gordon Lightfoot music by the legendary Lightfoot lead guitarist, Red Shea.

“Others can tell, even if they don’t know how or why John’s renditions come off as being so faithful. I’ve been told before, and many did that night, they can’t believe how well John sings Gord’s tunes.” John Swartz, SunOnlineMedia.ca, Nov 2023 

“Amazing talent, unbelievably realistic. Gave me goosebumps listening to them.” Social media post

Don't miss this exceptional tribute show, CLASSIC LIGHTFOOT LIVE!

Visit www.classiclightfootlive.com for continuing updates on shows and dates.

From rocking Halifax’s Marquee Club to performing for the masses at Massey Hall or touring the country with his father, Joel Plaskett has forged a reputation as one of Canada’s most engaging performers and respected singer-songwriters.

Plaskett’s songs are a perennial part of the national playlist, a fixture on “best of” lists, and the soundtrack to the lives of faithful fans across the country and around the world. His accolades over a quarter century include a Juno, numerous East Coast Music, Canadian Folk and Music Nova Scotia awards, and two Polaris short list nominations.

POSTER CREDIT - MARC AUDET, OTTAWA GIG POSTERS