The Once
Named for a unique Newfoundland phrase that means 'imminently', now is indeed the time for The Once. As a trio, the band has kept it uncomplicated, depending on the power of their voices and acoustic instruments. Lead singer Geraldine Hollett, has an instrument of rare power: she is a singer who can still a noisy room, so expressive she can tell a novel-length story with a few words. Accompanied by Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale on guitar, mandolin, fiddle and bouzouki, The Once creates a perfect blend of voice and melody. Sometimes melancholy, sometimes funny, always poignant, The Once sounds like nothing else that has ever come from Newfoundland.
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Amelia Curran
Amelia Curran is a seeker, but after nearly a decade ago she left St. John's for Halifax, with a number of East Coast Music Award nominations and an extensive discography, including: War Brides (2006), Lullaby for Barflies (2002), Trip Down Little Road (2001), and Barricade (2000), Curran knew it was finally time to make a record at home. Hunter, Hunter (2010) was released to rave reviews winning Amelia recognition from across North America including a Juno Award, a Canadian Folk Music Award, and the USA Song writing Competition (Folk) for "The Mistress". In late 2011, following more than 200 live shows around the world, Amelia finally moved home to Newfoundland. She is currently recording her next album in St. John's. more »
The Dardanelles
Armed with a love of jigs, reels and ballads honoured in Newfoundland and an energy found more often in 3-piece punk rock bands than 5-piece folk acts, their accordion, fiddle and talent have shaken major festivals including Winnipeg, Mariposa, and Vancouver. Barely into their twenties, they've intuitively become keepers of songs we love and have sought out tunes that may have otherwise been lost to the culture forever. They're a new breed of folk musicians with a wide sense of the world and a firm belief that Newfoundlanders can hold their own with the best players the world has to offer. more »
The Raw Bar
Collective
With a refreshingly uncluttered approach to playing, the Raw Bar Collective present a vibrant and excitingly earthy style of Irish Traditional music. The Collective is a fluid gathering of Irish musicians, each an acknowledged standard bearer within the tradition. They are anchored by Conal Ó Gráda (flute), Benny McCarthy (accordion) & Dave Sheridan (fiddle), all long recognised as among the top instrumentalists in Ireland. They are joined by Nell Ní Chróinín and Colm Murphy, who also played on Raw Bar Collective's debut recording, "millhouse measures".. more »
O'Brien and
The Searchers
Andrew James O'Brien is a 3-time Music Newfoundland and Labrador award winner (2011). He was named Male Artist of the Year and Rising Star of the Year, and his debut album, Songs for Searchers, was named the Pop/Rock Recording of the Year and nominated for Best Pop Recording at the 2012 East Coast Music Awards. Jamie Fitzpatrick of CBC Radio's Performance Hour says he will be, "The next big songwriter to emerge from Newfoundland". more »
James Keelaghan
James Keelaghan has been called Canada's finest singer-songwriter, and is an artist who has proven to be a man for all seasons. As the calendar pages have turned, for almost a quarter of a century now, this poet laureate of the folk and roots music world has gone about his work with a combination of passion, curiosity, and intensity. His masterful story telling has, over the course of nine recordings, been part of the bedrock of his success, earning Keelaghan nominations and awards - including a Juno - and acclaim from Australia to Scandinavia..
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Vishtèn
From childhood evenings listening to music from the top of the stairs, to exuberant folk music sessions on Shetland busses and knockout performances at the Vancouver Olympics, Vishtèn evokes a world in tunes: the rocking boats and waltzing bows of remote island harbours; ancient ballads and striking new melodies flowing from vibrant Acadian and Quebecois communities. This world instantly invites listeners in, with flying footwork, rippling frame drum, soulful fiddle, and songs that are four centuries old, and others newly-minted by the band. more »
Idlers
"Nothing can soothe the soul better than the ska & reggae beats and sounds from a distant island. Okay, so Idlers aren't actually from Jamaica, but they are from the Rock, and that's even better. They have brought home numerous awards and accolades from across the country but, to give you a sense of just how completely wonderful they really are, for four years running they've been voted the Best Band to Dance To on George St. With bragging rights like that, who needs a Grammy? They'll bring joy to your feet, so don't miss them." – Gerry Hawes, Mariposa Folk Festival. more »
Masterless Men
After 20 + years of performing and 7 albums under their belts, The Masterless Men are gracing the stage of the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival this year. John Curran, Perry Dawe, Dave Lush, Bob Wiseman, Chuck Lewis and Greg Walsh have been delighting audiences for years with tunes that fuse the sounds of Irish, folk and bluegrass, this talented group will surely get you on your feet. The Masterless Men have shared the stage with some of music’s greats and continue to share their love of music with the world. They truly enjoy what they do and you always feel it as you watch and listen. more »
Sherman Downey
and The Silver Lining
Sherman Downey and The Silver Lining is a rocking folk band from Newfoundland. With an energetic live show and an obvious love of what they do, they continue to grow a devout fan base – all of whom get songs stuck in their heads about muddy jackets, lost kittens and cheap suits. The band recently played Australia's Woodford Folk Festival, as well as shows in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. They have shared the stage with acts such as Yukon Blonde, Sarah Harmer and Jim Cuddy. The band is presently recording their second CD. more »
Danette Eddy
Danette is a native NL fiddler, music teacher and conductor who has made the west of Ireland her home for the past 11 years. She was voted Instrumental Artist of the Year twice by Music NL. Danette’s music has a diverse sound--she was classically trained starting at the age of 6, began performing at the age of 10 and composing at the age of 18. She is influenced by Newfoundland, French- Canadian, Irish, classical, Scottish, South American, Swedish and bluegrass music, and the list keeps growing. The first time she performed at the St. John's Folk Festival was in 1987 when she was just 10 years old. more »
A Crowd of
Bold Sharemen
Take a pair of veteran performers who have appeared at major folk festivals nationally and internationally, add Newfoundland & Labrador's most renowned flute and tin whistle player and one of its young stars of traditional music on fiddle, flute and accordion, and you've got A Crowd of Bold Sharemen. The band consists of Jim Payne, one of the province's best songwriters; Fergus O'Byrne, one of our most recognizable voices; flute player Gerry Strong with his vast knowledge of traditional tunes; and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Payne. Each is an accomplished performer in his own right, and together they provide an unbeatable musical experience.
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Crooked Stovepipe
Based in St. John's, Crooked Stovepipe have been playing bluegrass and traditional music around Newfoundland since 1973. They've also been featured at the Nova Scotia Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival, Canada's first and longest-running bluegrass festival, the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival in Stony Plain, Alberta, and the Evangeline Bluegrass Festival in PEI. They've been one of the headline bands at the Mount Pearl Bluegrass and Old-Time Country Music Festival, Newfoundland's first festival featuring bluegrass music, since its beginning in 2005. more »
The Punters
The Punters (Larry Foley, Patrick Moran, Chris Batstone & Adam Staple) are key figures in the exciting music scene in Atlantic Canada. Drawing upon their rich musical heritage, The Punters combine rock, folk and traditional music, creating a sound that is truly their own. The Punters are highly energetic and entertaining musicians who have performed thousands of shows; from festivals, to theatres, to clubs, to Microsoft's first live webcast on the Internet. The band has toured extensively throughout Canada, as well as performing numerous shows in the U.S., namely in New York and Boston. more »
The Rosalines
Blues, folk, bluegrass, and ragtime music characterize the sound of The Rosalines - a sound rich in instrumental nuance and vocal harmonies. Founding members Rosa Ernst and Caroline Clarke have been performing together since 2005 and have recently been joined by Candace Fulford. Incorporating a variety of acoustic instruments, the trio performs traditional and original music inspired by folk and old-time classics. They have performed at a number of Newfoundland festivals and music events in the last five years and can often be found performing at the Folk Arts Society's weekly Folk Night. more »
7 Deadly Sons
With over 2 centuries of combined playing experience, 7 Deadly Sons may be a new band, but they aren't new to the music scene! Drawing from the Folk tradition, with unmistakable Rock and Blues influences, 7 Deadly Sons reach out to take the audience through uncharted territory with a range of material from pub favourites to eclectic local lore. With a members bio that reads like a 7-course menu from an Ocean Liner, and includes stints with Figgy Duff, The Punters, The Irish Descendants, Great Big Sea, Evans and Doherty, Makem and Clancy, Drive and The Plankerdown Band, The 7 Deadly Sons are building on a diverse foundation for edgy, fast and furious Trad Rock.
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Qristina and
Quinn Bachand
With three Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, three Irish Music Award nominations and two Irish Music Award wins for Top Traditional Group and Top Duo, all since 2009, Qristina and Quinn Bachand are quickly becoming two of the most important young musicians in the Celtic music world. Qristina Bachand is an expressive fiddler, with an energetic style that is bold & edgy. A natural performer consistently delivering a spirited performance that features her enthusiasm and love of Celtic music. A gifted multi-instrumentalist, sixteen year old Quinn Bachand, is one of Canada's top Celtic guitar players. more »
Jenny Gear w/ Sandy
Morris & Billy Sutton
Jenny Gear and her uniquely captivating voice have gained popularity since her terrific performances on Canadian Idol in 2003. Her debut CD Jenny and The Whiskey Kittens was nominated for an ECMA roots/traditional solo recording of the year in 2005. For the past seven years, she has been enthralling audiences with Sandy Morris at various venues and festivals. Sandy Morris has made his living as a versatile performer since 1965. His credits include serving as musical director or producer for Land and Sea, Violet, Tommy, East Coast Music Awards, and Codco. Billy Sutton has been a mainstay of the traditional music scene for many years as a member of The Fables, Shanneygannock and others. more »
All The Wiles
A musical collaboration based out of St. John's, Newfoundland, All the Wiles pulls members and influences together from upstate New York (Ben Rigby-banjo/guitar), Central Ontario (Jake Nicoll-drums/keys/vocals, Billy Nicoll-upright bass/cello), Southern Alberta (Jared Klok - guitar/vocals) and Newfoundland (Katie Baggs-fiddle/vocals). Grounded in folk music but dabbling in roots, pop and Americana, the band's debut CD "Painted" has been quietly garnering attention and was recently awarded the Atlantis Music Prize for the best release of 2011 out of Newfoundland and Labrador. more »
The Forgotten
Bouzouki
The Forgotten Bouzouki is the only Greek band in Newfoundland and Labrador. Formed in 1998 by members of the local Greek community, the band performs several genres of Greek music, including traditional, island, ballads, folk and Rebetika (the equivalent of American Blues). The Forgotten Bouzouki has been performing regularly at local festivals and venues and has been featured on several regional and national CBC radio programs. The band has always been known for its full orchestration and first-rate musicianship. In October 2011, The Forgotten Bouzouki released its debut self-titled CD.
St. John's
Song Circle
The Song Circle group has been meeting regularly for nearly ten years. They first started getting together a couple of times a month in their homes to provide an outlet for a group of friends who liked to share songs and keep alive the tradition of singing unaccompanied songs. As interest increased in this they decided to look for a larger venue so for the past six years they have been meeting at the Crow’s Nest Officer’s Club the last Thursday of each month. more »
Bowline
St. John's traditional musicians Charlotte-Anne Malischewski (fiddle, voice) and Fergus Brown-O'Byrne (anglo-concertina, accordion, fiddle) are joined by Ontario native Duncan Cameron (bouzouki, fiddle, guitar, whistle, voice) to form Bowline. All three started as fiddlers and have been immersed in folk music since birth. Together, they draw on Newfoundland's rich traditional music legacy and enrich their repertoire with Irish, Quebecois, Ontario, and contemporary traditional tunes and songs. more »
Blues Band
A literal "Power" house, the band is comprised of lead singer Karen Power and three of her sons: Brad (lead guitar), Chris (drums) and Luke (keyboards), along with veteran bluesmen Steve Hussey (lead guitar, arrangements) and Dave Rowe (bass). Specializing in pre-1960 urban electric blues, the band adds their unique flavour without compromising the authentic blues style. With her full toned and gutsy vocals, Karen provides a commanding presence on stage, while the guitars are 100% blues approved and the keys and backup are rock solid.
Allan Byrne
& Holly Hogan
Allan Byrne comes from a family of singers from Placentia Bay. According to his father, he was singing before he could talk. Allan has taken his tempered singing voice and intricate finger-style guitar work to folk festivals all across the province. Holly Hogan has performed many styles, from jazz to Greek folk. She has appeared at the Wreckhouse Jazz and Blues Festival, the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival and the Woody Point Writer's Festival. Allan and Holly have performed together regularly over the last two years, combining their unique styles and beautiful harmonies on a wide range of folk, country, jazz and original numbers. more »
Denis Parker
and John Clarke
Denis Parker is all about the blues, and whether it’s standards or original tunes, Denis delivers with 100% authority and conviction every time. Most folks would agree he has been the bedrock of the St. John's blues scene for the last 30 years and shows no sign of stopping! It's too late to stop now anyway! John Clarke is an acoustic guitarist and a lap style dobroist whose slide style draws from old bluegrass, Hawaiian and country music, with a more-than-generous shot of the blues throughout. Together they have a ball making music...and hope you’ll enjoy listening too! more »
The All-Stars
Ellen Power, Rosemary Lawton and Chelsea Parsons are all finishing high school this year and have all participated in the Folk Arts Society’s Young Folk at the Hall program for several years. This year was their last year to perform in the Young Folk sessions, so they’ve decided to celebrate their graduation from the program by forming a band. While they play a variety of instruments, including guitar, fiddle and bodhran, the one instrument they have in common is their voices. They have a marvelous time coming up with harmonies and performing together, and hope you’ll have as much fun listening to them. more »
Emily Andrews
At 18 years-old, Emily is already keenly aware of her place in the world of music. Be it country, blues, pop, rock or traditional music, Emily is most at home on stage. Hailing from a talented family in Newfoundland and Labrador, music has been as much a part of her home life as sibling rivalry. Emily has performed at a variety of school functions, musicals, charity events and family gatherings since she was big enough to hold a microphone, and received numerous awards and grants. more »
Valerie Hewson
Valerie Hewson has been playing musical instruments and singing since she was a small child. She studied violin and fiddle with Christina Smith and Jennifer Johnson, guitar and piano with her sister Jean Hewson and voice with Julia Halfyard. She has been a member of the STEP Fiddlers, the Young Virtuosi Concerto and Gonzaga School Choir. Her solo gigs have included performances on the Neil Murray Stage, at the LSPU Hall, on George Street and at many private functions and weddings. Valerie is delighted to be performing on the Main Stage at this year's Folk Festival. more »
Bay St. George
Folk Arts Council
Musicians
Since forming in 2007, the Bay St. George Folk Arts Council has endeavored to revive and grow Newfoundland and Labrador traditional music and culture, and now boasts seventy or so members, most of whom take part in weekly instrument sessions. The Council’s monthly Folk Night enjoys a regular following, providing a showcase for seasoned and novice musicians. Through appearances in schools, concerts, festivals and any place where music and friendships are shared, the Bay St. George Folk Arts Council is bringing people together through a love of traditional music. What a legacy to pass on. more »
The Violin
Femmes
A mainstage "workshop" style set featuring three fantastic femmes of the fiddle...Qristina Bachand, Emilia Bartellas, and Charlotte Anne Malischewski ! These three outstanding fiddlers will perform their favourite tunes, tell their favourite fiddle tales and showcase the versatility of this amazing instrument. Bows will burn and guests are expected!
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