2018 Line Up
Michael Bernard Fitzgerald
Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (MBF) is a singer and songwriter from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. A touring troubadour, most of his time is spent on stage playing clubs, theatres and festivals across North America. He is a dog man with a good plan and two hands. MBF has shared the stage and toured with Joel Plaskett, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Steve Winwood, Third Eye Blind, Sam Roberts, Stars, K-OS, The Wallflowers, Elliott Brood, Lights and many more.
He’s also played Firefly Festival, Mountain Jam, Calgary Folk Music Festival, X Fest, Virgin Fest, Winnipeg Folk Festival The Calgary Stampede and Capital Ex.
The Matinee
It’s been a decade since Matt Layzell & guitarist Matt Rose spent a few hazy days writing songs in a rustic cabin. The Matinee has evolved from it’s humble origins, navigating their own route to become a powerhouse, roots rock band, with a following spread across North America.Their latest full-length album represents the triumphant culmination of its achievements to date. A heart-swelling collision of hook-infused rock and earthy roots influences.
The Royal Foundry
The Royal Foundry is an upbeat Electro-Alt-pop band that thrives off daring instrument pairing and catchy song making. Winners of Edmonton Music Awards Group of the Year, Single of the Year and Music Video of the year, we know they will have you on your feet for JFMF 2018.
Bears in Hazenmore
Bears in Hazenmore are an ambient alternative rock group based out of Regina, Saskatchewan, Treaty 4. Since their formation in 2014, the band has become known for creating atmospheric soundscapes and their ability to draw audiences in with intimate lyrics and enticing builds. The five-piece ensemble includes extensive use of reverb-saturated guitars, dynamic percussion, and ethereal brass and woodwind textures. They draw strong influences from and comparisons to groups such as City and Colour, Aidan Knight, and Bon Iver.
The Hearts
The Hearts deliver memorable pop melodies and moody folk harmonies that fit comfortably at soft seat theatres, dive bars, or international folk festivals. What sets them apart is just how easy their down-to-earth songwriting rests against a backdrop of stylish cosmic textures – six captivating musicians blending into one unforgettable sound.
Flint & FEathe
Flint & Feather are a free-spirited husband and wife duo who are deeply passionate about connecting with people through folk/roots music, stories, and laughter. Based in Calgary, Alberta, band members Joal and Lauren Kamps blend storytelling with songwriting to create charming ‘Rocky Mountain Folk-Pop’ songs inspired by Canadian history, rocky mountain folklore, and their own personal journeys.
Mr. Fantastik
International music star, Rastafarian and humanitarian activist Mr. Fantastik straddles the boundaries between Africa, Europe, the Caribbean and the U.S. to create an appealing sound that unites generations and cultures. With an easy-going charisma and reputation as a dedicated champion of social causes, Mr, Fantastik’s infectious grooves and dance-inducing anthems have consistently excited fans across the globe.The simple multi talented Mr, Fantastik has played at many festivals and has shared the stage with Alpha Blondy, Elephant man, Toots and the Maytals,Morgan Heritage, Anthony Cruz, Dubwise, Mello Man, Razor B, Tasman Jude, The Human Rights, among many others.
Megan Nash
On her latest album Seeker, Saskatchewan singer/songwriter Megan Nash collaborates with ambient/alt-rock unit Bears In Hazenmore with brilliant results. In sharp contrast to the starkness of her previous acclaimed album Song Harvest Volume One, Seeker takes Nash’s roots-based songwriting into bold new sonic territory, displaying the undeniable chemistry she has forged with the group over the past year.
That shared excitement was the hallmark of the sessions that produced Seeker over the winter of 2017 with engineer Orion Paradis (Library Voices), held at Soul Sound in Regina, a space shared with a contemporary dance studio. The flexibility of the location offered Nash the freedom to fully explore the range of her new material, from the atmospheric “Girl Vs Ocean” and “Summer,” to the anthemic “Lavender & Leather” and “Bad Poetry.”
But as the concept of Seeker (embodied as well in its title track) suggests, Megan Nash is in the midst of her personal quest for spiritual meaning on her own terms. Her chosen path is through music, and as an artistic statement, Seeker displays the breadth of Nash’s talents as a songwriter, vocalist and producer—the culmination of one stage of her journey while simultaneously beginning the next.
st. Arnaud
At 23 years old, Ian St.Arnaud found himself to be an old hand on the festival performer circuit, a University graduate, an accidental overdose survivor and at a loss for what to do with himself next. The previous fall his bandmate, friend, and at times antagonist, was hit by a train, thus dissolving his Americana/folk pop trio – North of Here. Teaming up with Juno Award nominated producer Graham Lessard (Barr Brothers, Reuben and the Dark, Basia Bulat), Ian dove into the studio to flesh out his understated and raw songs. Hearkening to ‘60s protest folk, Ian’s beaming, clever lyrics belay the dark weight of his themes.
TWIN PEAKS
You don’t have to listen long to grasp the beauty in the blended voices of Western Canadian Award winning folk/roots duo, Twin Peaks (Naomi Shore and Lindsay Pratt). But when you experience the live show you will realize that the music is about something much more captivating than just a catalogue of clever songs. It’s an expression of a rare kind of harmony that exists between their spirits.
MIA & JONAH
From Hawaii and the East coast, they met in San Francisco Mia and Jonah bring an Americana Folk with strong indie-rock sensibilities. According to Eugene Weekly, they are “Likely to stir audiences from the magical trance induced only by those special performers who create what they live and live what they create.”
Belle Plaine
A guitar playing, storytelling vocalist from small town Saskatchewan, Belle Plaine has built a loyal following that continues to flourish. She combines vintage blues and swing tones of the 1940s with classic country styles made popular in the heyday of the Grande Ole opry. According to kelly Jo Burke from CBC, “If Patsy Cline and Blossom Dearie had a love child she would sing like Belle Plaine.”
kiki the eco elf
“Kiki the Eco Elf” is a colourful, interactive children’s entertainer with positive messages for children. Combining her experience as a touring musician and her passion for high energy performance, she entertains her audiences with dance party sing-a-longs, diverse cultural storytelling and musical games.
Local artists: Athabasca Barnburner, Warrior Women, The Legionnaires, David Cueva, Josh Norgard, Adam Ambrroziak