Contemporary

Willow Switch is a dark folk music duo that embodies the crossroads of tradition and subversion. The band consists of saw-player and guitarist Andra Zlatescu and banjo player Robin Henry. Together they call upon the spirits of the land to create ambient haunting harmonies and sing open the doorways to other realms.

Their debut album, released in October 2023, is a musical journey through the dark spiritual dirges that evoke a sense of foreboding, much like a cold fog billowing down a mountain. Willow Switch’s melodies are equally eerie and captivating, luring listeners into the dark, uninhabited corners of the woodlands. Their sound has been called “doom-folk”, “heavy meadow”, “folk noir”, “the crossroads between Appalachian and Black Sabbath”. If you venture fearlessly into the secret heart of the forest you can find out for yourself.

At the core of Willow Switch’s music lies a deep reverence for folkloric stories. They spin tales of civilization lost and reclaimed by nature, exploring themes of grief for old almost-forgotten pathways, and weaving those threads of memory into dreaming up new futures. Through their music, Willow Switch seeks to carve out a new path in the folk music landscape, reviving the traditions of the past and breathing new life into them.

Join Willow Switch on their musical journey as they bring their unique brand of haunting folk music to the world. Let their music transport you to another realm, where spirits roam free and the ancient stories of the land are waiting to be told.

TUNES@NOON at The Aeolian is supported with thanks to The Paul Seed Fund through London Community Foundations and is a London UNESCO City of Music project.

Julianne Hobby is a Canadian singer and songwriter recognized for her crystalline vocals and dynamic performances. Julianne’s debut album, Country Lungs, showcases her sharp storytelling across both bright, contemporary tracks and songs steeped in country tradition.

Following its release, Julianne has performed her original music at the Calgary Stampede and has been featured on CBC Radio and radio stations across Ontario. She is creator of the joyful, live, holiday production Julianne Hobby’s Country Christmas Classic.

Originally from London, Ontario, her background includes professional ballet training at Canada’s National Ballet School, Sheridan’s Music Theatre program, productions with Opera Atelier, The Stratford Festival, Mirvish Productions, the North American touring company of The Wizard of Oz and more.

TUNES@NOON at the Aeolian is supported with thanks to the Paul Seed Fund through London Community Foundation and is a London UNESCO City of Music project.

Based on the inspiring life of the first woman to enlist in the Canadian Army Medical Corp., 100 Years From Now tells the story of Canada’s coming of age in World War I through the eyes of two brothers and the women who love them.

Uplifting, humorous and emotional, with an original folk music score, dramatic storytelling and stunning archival imagery, this award-winning production from the creators of Tom Thomson’s Wake takes audiences on a journey from the Great Lakes to Vimy Ridge and beyond.

Audience Reviews:

“Stellar! Anyone who saw it will remember forever!”

“Sold out and received standing ovations and encores at each performance!"

"An emotional story… should be performed and shared as much as possible!”

Harry Manx has spent years fusing eastern musical traditions with the blues, switching effortlessly between conventional guitars, harmonica, and banjo and the decidedly different Mohan veena, a 20-stringed instrument invented by Manx’ Indian mentor Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. Manx is often referred to as the “Mysticssippi” Blues Man, because of his expertise in melding both East and West music together and therefore, “creating musical short stories that wed the Blues with the depth of classical Indian ragas”.

Over the last 10 years, Harry Manx released 11 Albums and has garnered a room full of awards including, “seven Maple Blues Awards, six Juno nominations, the Canadian Folk Award in 2005 for Best Solo Artist and won CBC Radio’s “Great Canadian Blues Award” in 2007″. His most recent accomplishment was receiving yet another Juno Nomination for “Blues Album of the Year”, for his release, “Bread and Buddha” in 2010.

Maggie’s Wake is a refreshing and exciting band from Southwestern Ontario, Canada. We are passionate about creating new music that expands on our influences and our sound is a blend of traditional folk and contemporary styles, including jazz, Americana and classic country. Our band members are passionate about bringing the rich history of folk music to life in a contemporary way and we strive to create a unique sound that reflects our heritage while also being wholly original. Our goal is to bring joy and inspiration to our audiences through our music.

The band features the stellar duo of award winning songwriter and multi instrumentalist Tara Dunphy (The Rizdales, Luther Wright and the Wrongs) on lead vocals, harmonizing tin whistle, flute and fiddle and award winning and internationally recognized Lindsay Schindler (Rant Maggie Rant, Trent Severn) as lead instrumentalist on fiddle/violin and harmony vocals. Their powerhouse band includes Andrew Kosty on upright and electric bass, Ken Palmer on acoustic and electric guitar, and frequent guests Dean Harrison on piano and accordion and Stephan Szczesniak on percussion.

In June 2023, Maggie’s Wake was awarded the Forest City London Music Award for best Folk group and shortly afterwards were invited to Folk Alliance International in Kansas City, MO to perform as an Official Showcase Artist. They have been playing sold out theatres and concert halls for the past 18 months, building much anticipation for their debut album, the self titled “Maggie’s Wake”, which was released on March 17, 2024 worldwide to critical acclaim.

Crossing the lines between North and South America, Anddre Mafra brings dream folk to an intimate reality. Originally from Brazil and now based in Southwestern Ontario, Anddre blends his Latin American roots with contemporary folk influences, bringing an international flair to the folk music scene. Through a repertoire of original songs in both English and Portuguese, he weaves together stories and emotions, exploring themes of acceptance, love, and growth.

Anddre has captivated audiences with his intimate performances, sharing stages with notable acts like Cowboy Junkies and Andy Shauf. He has previously showcased at Folk Music Ontario, is on the SoFar Sounds roster, and has connected with diverse audiences across the country through his participation in the Small World Music Incubator program. 

Drawing comparisons to Bon Iver, José González, and Damien Rice, Anddre’s heartfelt lyrics and evocative sound invite listeners on a journey through culture and emotion at every show.
TUNES@NOON at The Aeolian is supported with thanks to The Paul Seed Fund through London Community Foundations and is a London UNESCO City of Music project.

Ben Caplan has always defied easy categorization. With his deep, commanding baritone and electrifying stage presence, he merges the raw energy of diverse folk traditions with modern innovation. His music isn’t just performed; it’s experienced. Now, with The Flood, Caplan takes his artistry to new depths, crafting an album that meditates on endings, resilience, and the art of carrying wisdom forward.

Scheduled for release in May 2025, The Flood is both timely and timeless. “The world is ending for someone all the time,” Caplan muses. “But endings aren’t absolute. Cultures, ecosystems, civilizations—they evolve, adapt. This album is about finding the pieces that survive and carrying them forward.”

Musically, The Flood is a collision of past and future. Melodically tilted towards the folk traditions of Eastern Europe, the album reinvents these sounds with timeless lyrics and modern production. Clarinet melodies soar over pulsing synthesizers; grand pianos give way to sequenced rhythms. The result is an intricate sonic tapestry—both ancient and urgent.

With nearly 2,000 performances across 27 countries, Caplan’s live shows are known for their raw energy and emotional depth. The Flood is designed with the stage in mind—its seamless transitions and dynamic arrangements promise an immersive concert experience.

“Music holds space for people. My hope is that this project allows listeners to confront the grief of endings, but also find joy in what’s ahead.”

Brenda McMorrow is known for her unique and warmly embracing style of mantra medicine music, in which she blends elements of acoustic folk, world rhythms and ancient Indian chants with a sweetly introspective singer-songwriter’s sensibility.

With Sanskrit Mantra and Kirtan (call and response singing) as the basis, Brenda weaves in the power of Spanish Medicine songs and her own inspiring English lyrics to create a healing and uplifting tapestry with the audience.

She has performed alongside and shared festival stages with esteemed mantra singers: Snatam Kaur, Deva Premal, Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Mirabai Ceiba and many more. Yoga Journal describes Brenda as having “a knack for expressing the deepest realizations in the sparsest lyrics”.  Spiritual teacher Ram Dass has said: “Brenda has a gift”, and her intention is to help bring more beauty, peace, understanding and well-being into the world through the joy and healing power of music.

Brenda has had a rich and diverse musical career (from folk [as one of the lead singers for the celebrated 90’s London band “Julie Propeller”]; to jazz and bluegrass) and this background creates a highly relatable and engaging “fusion” musical experience. With over 22 million streams on Spotify alone, and an upcoming summer tour schedule spanning 3 continents, Brenda’s music has been touching people’s hearts across the planet.

Maggie's Wake is a refreshing and exciting band from Southwestern Ontario, Canada. We are passionate about creating new music that expands on our influences and our sound is a blend of traditional folk and contemporary styles, including jazz, Americana and classic country. Our band members are passionate about bringing the rich history of folk music to life in a contemporary way and we strive to create a unique sound that reflects our heritage while also being wholly original. Our goal is to bring joy and inspiration to our audiences through our music.

The band features the stellar duo of award winning songwriter and multi instrumentalist Tara Dunphy (The Rizdales, Luther Wright and the Wrongs) on lead vocals, harmonizing tin whistle, flute and fiddle and award winning and internationally recognized Lindsay Schindler (Rant Maggie Rant, Trent Severn) as lead instrumentalist on fiddle/violin and harmony vocals. Their powerhouse band includes Andrew Kosty on upright and electric bass, Ken Palmer on acoustic and electric guitar, and frequent guests Dean Harrison on piano and accordion and Stephan Szczesniak on percussion.

In June 2023, Maggie's Wake was awarded the Forest City London Music Award for best Folk group and shortly afterwards were invited to Folk Alliance International in Kansas City, MO to perform as an Official Showcase Artist. They have been playing sold out theatres and concert halls for the past 18 months, building much anticipation for their debut album, the self titled "Maggie's Wake", which was released on March 17, 2024 worldwide to critical acclaim.

Ernesto Cervini’s Joy 

The Music of Three Pines

Welcome to the musical world of Three Pines! Born from the imagination of JUNO Award winning drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini, and inspired by the incredible village from Louise Penny’s “Gamache” detective series, this show features music inspired by the characters and emotions from the series, and endeavours to capture the spirit of the books; about goodness and decency, about integrity, courage and love.

“Three Pines is a state of mind. When we choose tolerance over hate. Kindness over cruelty. Goodness over bullying. When we choose to be hopeful, not cynical. Then we live in Three Pines.” - Louise Penny

The performance will showcase a collection of Canada’s finest musicians, and features 15 original compositions by Cervini which were written based on the characters and themes of Penny’s 17 novels (to date.) These songs will be interwoven with excerpts from the books describing the characters and stories to which they refer.

From Ernesto Cervini: About 5 years ago, I was introduced to the world of Three Pines by my sister, Amy Cervini. I started reading Louise Penny’s books, and I completely fell in love. I was captured by the storytelling, and the incredible characters. Although they are detective novels, the books are filled with kindness and joy, and I was inspired to write music that reflects the themes and characters in the books.

This project is a departure for me, as I’ve generally worked and written music for specific bands (Turboprop, TuneTown, Tetrahedron) based on disparate themes and inspirations, but this is the first time I’ve used a common theme to create a whole album’s worth of music.

The new album, entitled Joy was released on Friday, October 7th, 2022 on TPR Records and was nominated for a 2023 Juno Award for Jazz Album of the Year: Solo.

Touring Band:

Ernesto Cervini: drums & compositions

Tara Davidson: Saxophones

Kelly Jefferson: saxophones

William Carn: trombone

Dan Fortin: bass

Adrean Farrugia: piano