Roots

Colin Linden’s tale is the stuff of legend, the kind told in the Coen brothers’ O Brother Where Art Thou or Inside Llewyn Davis, both of which featured his guitar playing on the soundtracks. That film would begin with an 11-year-old meeting his musical idol Howlin’ Wolf at a matinee show in his native Toronto, accompanied by his mom, who took a picture of the two during a nearly two-hour long conversation before the gig, the legendary bluesman idling over coffee and cigarettes.

“I’m an old man now, and I won’t be around much longer,” Wolf told him. “It’s up to you to carry it on.”

Linden still carries that frayed photograph in his wallet, along with a Sears 5/8” socket wrench in his pocket to play slide guitar. He has taken Wolf’s plea seriously, performing since he was 12 years old, leaving home as a teenager to travel the south at the invitation of Mississippi Sheiks delta blues guitarist Sam Chatmon which took him to Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Memphis and Hollandale, Mississippi, meeting and visiting the sites of his heroes – Brownie McGhee, Muddy Waters, Sippie Wallace, Tampa Red, Blind John Davis, the Rev. Robert Wilkins, Sleepy John Estes and Son House, visiting the landmarks and juke joints, many of which he’s played in during the course of a 45-year career producing and playing blues and roots music. As a singer/guitarist, he’s accompanied everyone from Bruce Cockburn (as his producer and touring musician) to Bob Dylan, Greg Allman, Rihannon Giddens, Pistol Annies, John Prine and more.

He was the main contributor to the music for the Nashville TV show and subsequent live tours. Along the way, Linden played on over 500 albums and produced 140, including his first-ever actual Grammy in 2020 for producing Keb Mo’s Oklahoma, winner for Best Americana Album. He has also nabbed a staggering 25 Juno Award nominations and nine wins.

You may already know the wildly exploratory Andrew Collins through his work with The Foggy Hogtown Boys, the equally mind-bending Creaking Tree String Quartet or the Trio, itself – but you’ll never put a label on him for his approach to folk, newgrass, jazz and even some chamber-oriented roots music. Showcasing a dizzying number of styles and instruments on stage, Collins and Co. appear to live by the old adage, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop”, likely keeping them just ahead of his grasp. Bending and blending genres, these musical shape shifters land somewhere between the re-imagined worlds of Béla Fleck and Newgrass invader, David Grisman.

Andrew’s skills on mandolin, fiddle, guitar, mandola, mandocello and smooth vocals merge with the rich talents of his trio mates Adam Shier (guitar, mandolin, vocals) and James McEleney (bass, mandocello and vocals) and represent a back-to-basics visitation on what the band does best -- spontaneity of the stage and rapid-fire, improvisational exchanges.

“This is some mighty mandolinin', from Canada's eight-string king.” Bob Mersereau’s Top 100 Canadian Blogspot

“The level of musicianship is outstanding, as you’d expect from a serial award winner such as Andrew Collins. He must be one of the best mandolin players in the business” Americana – UK

Andre Bisson performs with his 7-piece band for an evening upbeat soul/roots music! With a career spanning over 20 years, 10 Albums, and winner of this years Blues and Roots Radio International Song Competition for Song of the Year Award, Andre brings a unique sound that combines retro 60’s soul with the storytelling of folk music.  Andre will be performing songs from his latest album “Latchford”.

From a small town in Northern Ontario to lively crowds across England and Wales, André Bisson has proved that he has a message worth listening to. With a career that spans over 20 years, his musical resume includes 9 studio albums, countless awards, and sold out shows across Canada, US, UK, and Europe.

As the sole songwriter and arranger for a group that spans from 6-20 musicians, André has created his own musical brand infused with soul, roots, blues, and R&B. Using an eclectic combination of instruments, he creates a musical story that becomes the soundtrack for his lyrics.

Since first taking to the stage at age 15, André’s love and dedication has always been to the live show. Combining his powerhouse vocals with a group of world class musicians, André makes it a priority to always give the audience an exciting, intense, and memorable musical experience. The connection between the musicians, the song, and the audience is always the ultimate goal.

Throughout the years, André’s style and philosophy towards music has attracted attention in the music community. Since his first album release in 2009, Andre has gained notoriety with awards such as “Male Vocalist of the Year” – Hamilton Blues Awards, “Song of the Year” – Blues and Roots Radio International Song Competition, and a five time nominee at the Hamilton Arts Awards. André was also selected by the Grand River Blues Society to compete at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

With a dedication to the live show and a sound that is constantly growing and evolving, each performance is unique in its own way. It is these qualities that keep the audience engaged, excited and returning time and time again.

Andre will be releasing his new album in September 2023.

About Stephen Fearing: 

There are few artists that can be referred to as a ‘roots troubadour, song-writing storyteller and master guitarist’ and Stephen Fearing is one of them.

That description may not cascade off the tongue, but there is no better way to sum up the astonishing career BC-based Stephen Fearing has enjoyed. He has achieved acclaim and accolades for his work as a solo artist, producer, co-founder of roots-rock combo Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (B&RK) and as half of the indie-folk duo Fearing & White.

To date, Fearing has released 13 solo albums, 11 studio albums with B&RK and 2 Fearing & White albums. Stephen’s talent as a songwriter has landed him two JUNO awards (Best Roots & Traditional Album, in both the Group and Solo categories). Fearing picked up the award for ‘Contemporary Singer of the Year’ at the 2017 Canadian Folk Music Awards and the same year, his album Every Soul’s a Sailor won “Worldwide Album of the Year” by Blues & Roots Radio.

About The Sentimentals:

Danish Americana/folk music pioneers The Sentimentals have toured North America and Europe backing Canadian, American, Danish and Swedish artists since 2004, playing 1000+ shows. Past tours include Jonathan Byrd, Ana Egge, Dana Cooper, Matt Harlan, Anthony Da Costa and Slaid Cleaves. The Sentimentals also collaborated on album releases with Matt Harlan (Bow and be simple 2013), Jonathan Byrd (Mother Tongue 2015) and Ana Egge (Say That Now 2016).

Tony Dekker’s music spans nearly two decades as the lead singer and songwriter of Great Lake Swimmers. Over eight albums, multiple EPs, live broadcasts and reissues, the Toronto based singer-songwriter has established himself as a beloved indie folk artist in his native Canada and beyond. 2013 marked the release of his first solo album, Prayer Of The Woods, which is described as “Folk music that sounds like it was recorded on the periphery between the living room and the surrounding woodland … a humble and traditional folk work, focusing on lyrical analogies and aphorisms” - (Norman Records UK).

Great Lake Swimmers’ record “The Waves, The Wake (Acoustic)” was released digitally on November 8th, 2019 by Nettwerk. A solo acoustic rendering of his band’s most recent album, pared back to acoustic guitar and vocals. No weighty production, no frills, just a haunting voice, lush acoustic guitars, and 12 songs presented in their most stark, minimalist forms. Dekker released a limited edition 12” vinyl format on his own Harbour Songs imprint which was made available through mail order and at live shows.

Great Lake Swimmers released a split 7” single with long-time collaborator Liz Hysen of Toronto band Picastro. “Getting To The Heart Of It” with “Where Are You” and “Thursday” which was released digitally on March 6th, 2020 by (weewerk) while the limited edition 7” vinyl format, Harbour Songs’ second physical release was offered via mail order.

Dekker also provided vocal support on the latest Picastro release, “Exit”, originally released this past November and which was re-released by (weewerk) on February 24th, 2020.

With the pandemic lockdown and cancelled tour dates to contend with in 2020 and beyond, Dekker focused on releasing a series of special releases under the Lockdown Series moniker and were made exclusively available on the Bandcamp platform. “Live In Ottawa At The 27 Club” recorded live in Ottawa, Ontario at The 27 Club on October 3, 2019 was digitally released on May 1, 2020. The mono soundboard feed was recorded by Ryan Palmer with a Tascam DR44WL. It was tweaked and mastered by Andy Magoffin at the House Of Miracles with cover artwork by Adam CK Vollick. “When We Last Shook Hands: Cover Songs Volume 1” was digitally released on June 5th, 2020. This collection of covers was recorded by Great Lake Swimmers over a period of roughly 12 years, between 2007 and 2019. Most of the songs have been released in one form or another as part of compilations, live sessions or album bonus tracks, but there are also a handful of songs which saw the light of day for the first time. The recordings are from such disparate sources as Studio 101 in New Orleans, Mailmen Studios in Utrecht, The Netherlands, and locations closer to home like The House Of Miracles in Ontario. The project was overseen by the bands long-time friend and collaborator, Andy Magoffin, who sonically glued it together and did the mastering. The artwork was created by Adam CK Vollick.

Great Lake Swimmers released a new live track “Your Rocky Spine (2007-04-14)” on Friday, February 25th in lead up to the release of their forthcoming live album entitled “Live At The Redeemer 2007”. This special live concert was released digitally and as a double LP version on (weewerk) on May 14th, 2021.

As the lead singer and songwriter for Great Lake Swimmers, Dekker has been nominated twice for Canada’s Juno Awards, shortlisted and longlisted for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize, and won a Canadian Indie Award for Favourite Folk/Roots Artist/Group. The band has shared the stage with such musical luminaries as Robert Plant, Feist, Daniel Lanois and Calexico, and have appeared as headliners at many of Canada’s major folk music festivals. The CBC has called them “a national treasure” with a sound that is at once familiar and distinct, using the tools of folk music as the starting point to delve deeper.

“Dekker's preoccupation with the Canadian state of mind flourishes in his lyrics. Few songwriters are able to convey the country's harsh beauty as well. …Canadian folk tradition personified in the 21st century” – Exclaim!

“Ambient Zen Americana” – Mojo

“A minimalist, atmospheric compendium of songs with a sonic environment the listener can easily get lost in.” – The Vue

“Dekker has done a masterful job of finding that balance on The Waves, the Wake, which has enough connections to the past to satisfy long-time fans of Great Lake Swimmers even while the singer looks to the future and moves forward as an artist.” – The Georgia Straight

“…Great Lake Swimmers have evolved into one of the country’s finest roots bands…” – Post City

Hawksley Workman is a JUNO Award-winning and Gold Record certified singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Since his ground-breaking self-produced indie debut For Him and The Girls (1999) through to chart-topping singles of 2020, Hawksley has careened between major label international smash hits to Canadiana soaked indie releases. Boasting a catalogue of 17 solo records, Hawksley’s genre defying style strings together folk, chart pop and irrepressible cabaret. His show-stopping vocals on songs about weather, love, heartbreak and tales of end-times have garnered him a league of devoted fans.

Performing over a thousand shows worldwide, Hawksley has headlined prestigious venues like Massey Hall and The Olympia in Paris. For a uniquely Canadian artist Hawksley has built loyal fan bases in the UK, France, Norway and Australia launching many successful tours, demystifying and delighting fans while drawing on an enviable catalogue of mischievous favourites, glammy stompers and heartfelt hymns to small town Canada.

Maggie's Wake is a Canadian roots band that combines traditional Celtic instrumentation with a contemporary approach. Born from the ashes of Rant Maggie Rant, MW is an exciting collaboration between RMR co-founder Lindsay Schindler (fiddle, vocals) and Tara Dunphy (tin whistle, flute, fiddle, vocals), lead singer and songwriter of acclaimed country outfit, The Rizdales.  They are joined by a powerhouse band of Ontario's finest musicians, including Rob Larose on percussion, Andrew Kosty on bass and special guests Kyle Waymouth on guitar and banjo and Kenneth Palmer on guitar.

Acclaimed guitarist, singer, song writer, band leader and producer, Jack de Keyzer rarely sits still. For 46 years or roughly a couple million miles , de Keyzer has been hitting the road , air and studio to bring his brand of guitar driven blues around the globe.  With 12 records, 1 DVD , 2 Junos and 7 Maple Blues Awards, de Keyzer delivers the goods wherever, whenever he performs. Playing  over 100 shows a year, de Keyzer’s music is steeped in Chicago blues, London England’s (de Keyzer’s birth place) blues rock, Detroit’s Motown, Muscle Shoals deep soul,   Memphis’  rock and roll, and Philadelphia’s funky soul jazz .  De Keyzer knows first hand as he has played with many first generation pioneers of these sounds and styles, Bo Diddley, Otis Rush, Etta James, King Biscuit Boy and Ronnie Hawkins to name a few.  His latest recording  TRIBUTE (2020)  features twelve rousing new original blues, rock and soul songs and pays tribute to the great blues and rock guitar masters, singers and song writers de Keyzer has been influenced and inspired by through the years.  A tour de force by an artist at his peak powers. See and hear Jack de Keyzer  with his incredible band  on the TRIBUTE tour.

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The Slocan Ramblers (2020 IBMA Momentum Band of the Year Award Winner & 2019 Juno Award Nominee) are Canada’s bluegrass band to watch. Rooted in tradition, fearlessly creative and possessing a bold, dynamic sound, The Slocans have become a leading light of today’s acoustic music scene. With a reputation for energetic live shows, impeccable musicianship and an uncanny ability to convert anyone within earshot into a lifelong fan, The Slocans have been winning over audiences from Merlefest to RockyGrass and everywhere in between.

On their new album Up the Hill and Through the Fog, the all-star Canadian roots ensemble channels the past two years of loss into a surprisingly joyous collection of twelve songs intended to uplift and help make sense of the world. Bluegrass music is nothing short of catharsis for The Slocan Ramblers.

Though the past few years have brought the group accolades, that same momentum was abruptly halted by the pandemic’s brutal impact on live music. Over the next year, bandmates Adrian Gross and Darryl Poulsen both lost close family members and their bassist decided to step back to spend more time at home. They channeled these tumultuous changes into some of their most honest and direct compositions yet. Up the Hill and Through the Fog showcases the breadth of their varied influences while staying true to their roots in the rough and tumble bluegrass scene of Toronto’s no-nonsense bars and dancehalls. From Frank Evan’s classic, dusty vocals, to John Hartford-inspired lyrical musings, it’s all buttressed by impeccable musicianship, and emotionally raw songwriting from the three core members. This is roots music without pretension, art powerful enough to cut through the fog of the past two years and chart a more hopeful course forward.

Say hello to your new favourite band.

The Slocan Ramblers are:

Frank Evans: Banjo/Vocals

Adrian Gross: Mandolin

Darryl Poulsen: Guitar/Vocals

With Charles James: Bass/Vocals