2025 Line Up
THE STRUMBELLAS
Ever since forming in 2008 and releasing their debut album, 2012’s My Father and the Hunter, two-time JUNO award-winning alternative group The Strumbellas have steadily released follow-ups containing every ounce of stomping, hand-clapping, alt-country gusto, from 2013's We Still Move on Dance Floors to 2016's Hope to 2019's Rattlesnake. They’ll soon round the corner with a brand-new fifth studio album, Part Time Believer, a collection that signals The Strumbellas’ grand return and rebirth.
Now with Jimmy Chauveau on board as lead vocalist, The Strumbellas spent the last four years writing, recording, and whittling 50 songs down to 12. Honed by producers Ben Allen (Gnarls Barkley, Kaiser Chiefs), Keith Varon (Machine Gun Kelly), Stevie Aiello (30 Seconds To Mars), and Dave Schiffman (RHCP, The Killers), Part Time Believer continues The Strumbellas’ long-standing tradition of blending anthemic, brightly coloured compositions with yearning, contemplative lyrics.
“I think people often feel like things are escaping them, or they're trying to grab on to something — happiness, gratitude, professional or personal goals — and for some reason, they just can't get there,” says David Ritter, who handles piano, organ, percussion, and vocals. “Even if they get the thing they want, it doesn't feel the way they thought it would. A lot of these songs are about trying to, like, figure out why we're all feeling this way, and how we can find more peace in our lives.”
FRAZEY FORD
Vancouver-based Soul-Americana artist Frazey Ford released her critically acclaimed album U kin B the Sun via the Arts & Crafts label on February 7, 2020. Ford is a founding member of the seminal folk band The Be Good Tanyas.
She has previously released two critically acclaimed solo albums, including her 2014 album “Indian Ocean” which made the Polaris Prize long list and was nominated for a Juno in 2015 in the best roots album category. This album was recorded with Al Green’s band, The Hi Rhythm Section, the iconic architects of the Memphis soul sound. It was named one of the top releases of 2014, an acclaimed country soul gem inviting comparisons to Cat Power’s The Greatest. The video for Frazey’s song Done from this album has captured over 2.5 million view on YouTube and still counting.
Her latest album has garnered incredible international reviews. At turns ecstatic and heavy-hearted, gloriously shambolic, and deeply purifying, U kin Be the Sun has been praised as “her best yet” (The Times) for its “dramatic and rather dazzling” (Uncut) blend of Ford’s mesmerizing vocals and percussion-soaked grooves. Performing live, Frazey Ford is a captivating presence supported by the intoxicating lilt of her band. Fans have had the opportunity to see her post pandemic as she has toured in the countries of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, Ireland and the UK in 2022 & 2023.
Frazey new live show for her U Kin B the Sun album gives fans the irreplaceable intimate, live experience featuring Frazey and her excellent band members showcasing songs from her new album as well as fan favourites.
SHUB
For more than a decade, Shub (formerly known as DJ Shub) has been at the forefront of a movement that reshaped the landscape of Indigenous electronic music. Having invented the powwow - step genre and won a JUNO with A Tribe Called Red, Shub has spent years blending the ancient rhythms of Indigenous powwow music with the pulse of modern beats, scratching and bass - heavy production. As a solo artist, Shub is making a statement — not just about where he’s been, but about where Indigenous music is headed.
LEEROY STAGGER
It’s said the cells in your body replace themselves every decade or so. After 11 albums, two EPs and 20 years as a singer-songwriter, Leeroy Stagger has been wondering if maybe the soul works the same way. Ten years sober, with two kids, a home in Victoria and a world-class recording studio to go with it, he’s far removed from the hard-living twenty-something who started on this musical path. As far as Stagger can see, they aren’t even the same person.
BRASSTACTICS
Get ready to groove with BrassTactics, Canada's most dynamic and energetic mobile brass party band! This explosive ensemble brings together the best of AC/DC's hard-rock edge, Dr. Dre's hip-hop swagger, and everything in between. Their unique sound is fueled by original songs that blend punk, ska, jazz, and modern pop influences, guaranteed to get crowds moving.
Tribute to the Groove, their debut album (July 2024), skyrocketed to #1 on CKUA charts and topped the !earshot National Jazz chart. This monumental success is just the beginning for BrassTactics.
Live, BrassTactics is an unstoppable force, igniting dance floors and inspiring sing-alongs. Their infectious energy, tight performances, and genre-bending sound make them a must-see experience. With their sights set on conquering the Canadian music scene, BrassTactics is fresher, hungrier, and more determined than ever. Join the party and witness the unstoppable momentum of BrassTactics!
SONIA DELEO & THE NEW DADS
Calgary based artist, Sonia Deleo, works in a half pitch of musical grandiosity and sensitive poetics. Fusing folk, soul, pop and rock, her masterful vocals remain at the core of her work and lift it into an enormous collection worth far more than the sum of its parts. Her big energy makes itself known in her incoming single Remind Me That I’m Crazy (May 2024). She hits Toronto in June to showcase at Canadian Music Week, followed by some northern Alberta dates with her band The New Dads in early July. Sonia can’t wait to land back on the JFMF stage!
SMOKEY
Smokey is Nickelas Johnson, a musician and multidisciplinary artist from Northern Alberta, Canada. Drawing from western folk tradition and the avant-grade, he creates a kind of Gothic country music.
Using dusty acoustic and electric instruments, wobbly synths and lofi field recordings, smokey coons through a dream world of regret and desire. A spectral scout, he wonders the woods holding humour and horror like lamps in each hand.
THE HONEY COWBOY
Founded in 2022, The Honey Cowboy is a band of 4 creators all based out of Grimshaw Alberta. The foundation for the band was laid down over the last decade as Brendan Dickson performed solo as The Honey Cowboy, developing a modest following and a long list of quirky original songs. Since its inception the band has taken these old songs to new levels, with each member contributing their own musical touch to each song. Using this formula the band has now brought into this world a whole pile of exhilarating new material. From this deepening well of original songs the band has been delivering unforgettable performances near and far to an ever expanding fanbase. Leaving it all on the stage every show you can count on The Honey Cowboy to sweeten your life, or at least take a bit of the sting out of it.
WESTMORE
Westmore AKA ‘The Long Haired Hippie Freak’ is a 21 year old singer/songwriter & self taught multi-instrumentalist from Central Alberta.
Growing up in church & surrounded by a musical family, from a young age he always had a passion for music.
He’s a Folk & Blues musician, though his influences spread far and wide. His music is raw & relatable — while trying to capture what is in his heart. So that he can share it with the world, trying to shine a light in the darkest of places.
After his debut of his EP Untitled #1, he has been winning the hearts of countless folks around Edmonton.
CAPTAIN THUNDERPANTS
CPTN THNDRPNTZ!!! is a singing, storytelling, intergalactic space pirate. His home planet, Funkathon, is completely inhabited by ceratopsian dinosaurs, (the ones with horns and frills, like Triceratops) where he was the head cook to King Zaxxon.
After running out of sweet potatoes, the CPTN headed out across the universe in his Space Galleon, to trade stories and songs for more sweet potatoes.
NORTHBOUND TRAIN
Northbound Train is a trio featuring Mike Day (guitar and vocals), Keith Houston (percussion) and Tony Mastrianni (bass and vocals). We play original tunes and are heavily jam band influenced, while liberally sprinkling americana with a touch of the blues.
MARIE FILPO-BERGERON
Singer-songwriter Marie brings a soulful voice with tasteful folk & bluesy sound to our event. Performing mainly as a solo artist, Marie and her acoustic guitar will transport you through original songs, and her renditions of old and newer classics. Marie has performed professionally in local festivals, restaurants, art gallery and private functions for the last 5 years.
LUCY FIRST
Lucy First, AKA Lucy Locvan. This female Canadian electronic artist whose journey is as much about creation as it is about exploration and storytelling. From DJing to producing, Lucy’s creative path is an ever-evolving adventure.
Hailing from a background in classical music, Lucy’s fascination with sound began early, nurtured by her training as a composer and pianist. But it was her foray into DJing at the age of 18 that set her on a trajectory of sonic exploration. Initially a means to finance her college education, DJing soon became her passion.
Drawing from her diverse influences and fueled by a relentless spirit of curiosity, Lucy delved into electronic music production, teaching herself the craft through online resources at her local library. From there, she expanded her creative horizons, venturing into game design and embarking on DJ tours across Canada and North America.