Deep Roots Music Blog

Sponsored by Kingstec (Friend of the Festival)

Ryan Roberts

Ryan’s versatility and passion for excellence allowed him to make a very successful living writing, performing, and producing music in Eastern Canada. His songs have been recorded in the styles of bluegrass, country, jazz, and R&B. He has composed instrumental scores for film, as well as jingles for commercial radio, and has been awarded “Songwriter of the Year” for four consecutive years (2005-2009) by the Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Awards.

Roberts’ songs have been recorded by Rose Cousins, Kevin Davison, The Spinney Brothers, True Blue, Justin Carbone, the Jeanette Williams Band, and The Novelty Salesman, among other contemporaries.

Having spent some time in Nashville, Tennessee writing and recording material for his sophomore solo album, and performing with the bluegrass band Special Consensus, Ryan Roberts has recently returned to the East Coast and Deep Roots couldn’t be happier!

For more visit: ryanrobertsmusic.ca
Photo credit: Sabrina Thurlow

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by NSLC (Festival Partner)

Der Heisser

Der Heisser – Yiddish for “the Hot One” – performs Jewish klezmer music, with that unmistakable Eastern European sound of Romania, Hungary, Russia, and traveling Gypsies. The newly formed band was founded by two of Halifax’s “hot ones”- violinist Gina Burgess and double bassist Adam Fine – and features drummer Ken Shorley and clarinetist Dave Christensen.

Deep Roots invites Der Heisser to the Festival stage for the first time, and can’t wait to take in their unique brand of Eastern euro-jazz!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by NSLC (Festival Partner)

Gypsophilia

Halifax-based Gypsophilia combines swing-jazz and European gypsy music, incorporating elements of tango, klezmer, funk, classical music, indie, and be-bop, all melded together with their own modern edge. Admired by audiences young and old, the septet’s passionate, exciting and sophisticated sound has quickly catapulted them to unprecedented jazz popularity.

Gypsophilia’s debut album Minor Hope has been critically well-received, earning East Coast Music Awards and Nova Scotia Music Awards nominations. Their second album, Sa-ba-da-OW!, is a superb demonstration of the band’s jazz-era sound, with bizarre, interesting side-jaunts and a fun, light-hearted charm.

Gysophilia has unanimously been dubbed the East Coast’s best party band, and you should not leave the Festival without discovering why for yourself!

For more visit: gypsophilia.org

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by the Town of Wolfville (Community Partner)

Unisson

Unisson came to life in 2008 to play for passing tourists wanting to hear local music in Clare, Nova Scotia. Members of the group have been performing in the Acadian Shore’s Musique de la Baie program (a series of “kitchen parties” held at participating restaurants) since its inception in 2001, as well as on numerous festival stages.

Last summer, Unisson recorded its first full length self-titled album, which demonstrates a diversity of styles including original Acadian songs, powerful Cajun ballads, Irish jigs, and traditional East Coast toe-tapping fiddle.

Germaine Comeau states, “Unisson is like a well-aged spiced wine with bouquets of jig, traditional, cajun, down-east and bluegrass rhythms and served with the best Acadian comfort food”.

Unisson is one of the only non-Cajun groups ever to be invited to play the Festivals Acadiens et Créole in Louisiana, and now Deep Roots feels fortunate to have them in the Annapolis Valley for the Festival weekend!

For more visit: www.myspace.com/groupeunisson

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by the following Friends of the Festival: Country Stoves & Sunrooms Ltd., Vision Care Optometry Centre, The Odd Book, Muddy’s Convenience Store, Acton’s Grill & Cafe, Herbin Jewellers, The Box of Delights Bookshop, & Valley Stationers Ltd.

The Hupman Brothers

A mainstay of the local music scene in the Annapolis Valley, The Hupman Brothers deliver infectious, virtuosic tunes every time they grace a stage. As Kim O’Brien of the East Coast Blues Society describes it, their music is “steeped in the golden age of Blues… with a hint of swing/ragtime Blues guitar style of the 30s and 40s, (and) their own contemporary sensibilities woven in.”

Their win of Blues Recording of the Year at the 2010 East Coast Music Awards, and nominations as Maple Blues New Act of the Year and as Music Nova Scotia’s Blues Album/Group Recording of the Year for Countin’ Quarters have put the Hupman Brothers at the forefront of a new wave of Blues artists in the East Coast.

Ryan Hupman on lead guitar and vocals, and Scott Hupman on rhythm guitar, bass and back-up vocals have been playing music together since childhood. It shows in the sense of fun they display on stage, and in their obvious compatibility, both as musicians and as performers. The “Hups” are at home at Deep Roots and love to jam with our guests. We are really looking forward to hearing them mix it up with Digging Roots at our Late Night party on Saturday Night!

For more visit: www.hupmanbrothers.com

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Gardenhouse B & B (Friends of the Festival)

The Lost Tourists

The Lost Tourists’ smooth and lively grooves are reminiscent of long, hot Havana nights. Frederic Mujica, a former headliner for top resorts in Cuba, showcases his guitar and vocal talents, while Csaba Kanyasi provides an energetic heartbeat to the music with his percussion playing. Based in the Annapolis Valley, this duo is pleasure to the ears and rapture to the feet, rarely leaving a room without a spirited dance party in their wake.

The Lost Tourists will be joining Gypsophilia and Der Heisser on stage at our late night party on Friday in the MacKeen Room, rounding out the day’s Festival performances with an international flavour.

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Kings County Honda (Festival Contributor)

Caleb Miles

Caleb Miles began his musical career in New Mexico’s high desert. His masterful guitar style is self-described as “sharp, clear, and dry like the sage-scented air; lawless like the Old West.”

Caleb has been traveling and performing for most of his life, playing a blend of folk, rock and blues music in venues across the United States. In 2005 Caleb moved to Nova Scotia expecting to surrender to rural solitude, but instead found a vibrant, art-minded community that served as motivation and inspiration to keep writing and performing. Caleb now performs solo as well as select gigs with The Hupman Brothers Band, and has cultivated an excellent reputation amongst local audiences. We are proud to present Caleb Miles once again to Deep Roots audiences.

For more visit: www.calebmiles.net

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Long & McQuade (Festival Contributors)

Ian Sherwood

Dartmouth native Ian Sherwood mixes catchy melodies and heart-breaking stories with intricate guitar loops, saxophones and pop/rock/jazz grooves to create music that has been described as “traditional singer/songwriter style at it’s essence” by CBC Radio one. His energetic stage show and honest presentation have quickly gained him recognition as a solid performer, lyricist and player, and garnered him Music Nova Scotia’s 2008 and 2010 Musician of the Year awards.

Josh Visser of the Halifax Chronicle Herald describes Sherwood’s lyrics as, “..romantic as they are clever and snarky… Sherwood has a tongue that can be firmly planted-in-cheek, in his often funny, often poignant lyrics.” The release of his third CD, And Now The Fun Begins is generating a lot of buzz, including a Male Solo Recording of the Year nomination. Deep Roots is excited to welcome back this celebrated musician to the 2011 Festival!

For more visit: iansherwood.com

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Subway (Festival Contributor)

Lovestorm

Tim Isaac and Nina Khosla joined musical forces in 2009 to form a duo that is energetic, powerful, and celebratory. Their debut CD Great Ocean garnered nominations from both the East Coast Music Awards and Music New Brunswick for Pop Recording of the Year in 2010.

Khosla’s warm, expressive vocals are complimented by Isaac’s innovative cello accompaniment, which stretches the instrument into exciting new territory. Flourishes of xylophone, harmonium, flute, and keyboard played by Khosla further enliven the music. The merging of these two talents has resulted in something wonderfully engaging, that is at once sacred and sensual. Their intimate show, uplifting lyrics, diverse instrumentation and distinctively beautiful sound are winning over audiences everywhere they perform, and we’re confident that the Annapolis Valley will be no exception!

For more visit: www.lovestorm.ca

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Flowercart (Friends of the Festival)

Andy & Ariana - Photo by Bruce Dienes

Now based in Wolfville, Andy Flinn and Ariana Nasr have been making music together for more than 12 years. During that time they have released six CDs, a DVD and a number of music videos under the name Thugs at Bay (or t@b). As well, they have travelled and performed extensively across Canada and overseas, while remaining strong favourites in the local music scene.

“Ariana’s captivating vocals move easily across a mix of roots, jazz, world and contemporary songwriting. She further explores melody with saxophone and violin. Andy fascinates audiences with his polymetric rhythms as he beat-boxes, plays guitar, and uses his heels to play the drums” (www.tabmusic.ca).

With their hands full of instruments, and their hearts full of song, the folky duo conveys a zest for life and has audiences clapping and tapping along. Deep Roots is happy to have Andy & Ariana share their talent and energy with us at this year’s Music Festival!

For more visit: www.tabmusic.ca

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Roselawn Lodging (Festival Builder)

Michael Jerome Browne

Born in Indiana, Michael Jerome Browne is the son of English professors whose love of music and poetry inspired them to take their nine year old son to the great jazz, blues and folk clubs in their adopted home of Montreal. Now Michael tours all over the world, sharing his unique musical voice that spans the spectrum of genres from old-time country to electric blues, and influenced by the greats that he observed as a child, including the likes of Big Bill Broonzy and David Byrne.

Skilled in guitar, banjo, fiddle, harmonica, mandolin, and vocals, Michael gives being a multi-instrumentalist a new meaning. Maple Blues Magazine describes Michael’s music as, “a veritable feast… he can perform in any roots style, putting them all together simply requires good songs. He has them here.”

Michael possesses a prolific list of awards and nominations, including Solo Artist of the Year at the 2008 Canadian Folk Music Awards, and JUNO nominations for all three of his recent releases. We are very proud to have Michael Jerome Browne with us at this year’s Deep Roots Music Festival.

For more visit: www.michaeljeromebrowne.com

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Valley Mushrooms (Friends of the Festival)

Mike Aubé - Photo by Terry Murphy

“Part guitar-slinging poet, part joker, part environmental crusader, Mike Aubé is a multi-dimensional songwriter who is grounded in roots traditions, with hints of funk and rock influences.” (www.mikeaube.com)

The New Brunswick-born folkster honed his performing chops by playing acoustic rock covers in bars with his former band, Rust Bucket, while quietly crafting original songs behind the scenes. Now with two solo albums – Aberdeen Street and Cluster Folk – Mike enjoys praise and accolades for his droll lyrics, original style, and smooth vocals. While sharing the stage with some of the best the East Coast has to offer, including Dave Gunning, JP Cormier, Jon McKeil, and Sherry Ryan, Aube holds his own and has proven that he is poised to become one of the Maritimes’ finest performing songwriters. Mike now calls the Annapolis Valley home and Deep Roots is proud to invite him to perform on familiar stomping grounds, where he will undoubtedly be welcomed by many admirers.

For more visit: www.mikeaube.com

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by MacDonald Chisholm Trask Insurance (Festival Contributor)

Ariana Gillis

At the age of 21, Ariana is a lyricist who demonstrates wisdom and insight well beyond her years. Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, singer/songwriter Ariana Gillis has been touring extensively for the last 3 years playing at major festivals, clubs, and coffee houses and sharing the stage with the likes of Kathleen Edwards, Ron Sexsmith, Sarah Sleen, David Francey and Kevin Briet.

Ariana has captured the hearts and imaginations of Canadians far and wide with her songs about “soul defining experiences”, and her unique performing chops. Her debut CD, To Make It Make Sense, showcases her fascinating and evolving talent.

Ariana has been awarded a number of Niagara Music Awards, including Album of the Year and Top Female Vocalist in 2010. As well, she has been recognized as the Young Performer of the Year at the 2009 Canadian Folk Awards and was nominated for three Hamilton Music Awards in 2009. We welcome this young talent to the 2011 Deep Roots Music Festival.

For more visit: www.arianagillis.com

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Municipality of the County of Kings (Festival Patron)

Chas Guay - Photo by Jack LeClair

The “little city” of Charlottetown is home to Chas Guay, where for 15 years he’s owned and operated the resourceful and legendary indie record store, Back Alley Discs, and has been a bastion and major contributor to the local music scene. Originally from Montreal, Guay has had a long history as a songwriter and musician, getting his start playing with various bands, including the beloved house band “The Dogs”. He has performed and recorded with some of the finest artists from the East Coast and beyond, including Mae Moore, Gene MacLellan, Nathan Wiley, Lennie Gallant and Mick Taylor, and has recently released a new CD entitled Little City.

Musically, Guay straddles a number of different genres including folk, alt country, jazz, rock and pop. His voice, as described by The Guardian’s Doug Gallant “is as comforting as grandma’s chicken soup”. Guay was awarded the Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2010 PEI Music Awards and has been recognized for his musical accomplishments by the East Coast Music Association with the presentation of this year’s Musician’s Achievement Award. Deep Roots welcomes Chas Guay to the Annapolis Valley and we encourage everyone to check out this versatile musician.

For more visit: www.chasguay.ca

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Just Us! Coffee Roasters Coop (Festival Patron)

Kinnie Starr - Photo by Nadya Kwandibens

Kinnie Starr is a Juno Award winning producer (2010 – Digging Roots, “We Are”) and Juno Nominated artist (2004 – “Sun Again”). She has worked with industry heavy hitters Wendy and Lisa (Prince), David Campbell (Beck’s father), Carmen Rizzo (Alanis Morisette), Chris Bruce and Earl Harvin (Seal, The The), Tegan and Sara, and Nelly Furtado. Furtado acknowledges Starr as one of her key influences.

Kinnie has performed in Canada’s National Aboriginal Achievement Awards twice – she is of mixed European and Mohawk descent, true Canadian to the core. In 2008, the Royal British Museum, Victoria, Canada, recognized Starr as one of BC’s cultural icons.

Her fifth album, A Different Day, produced by Chin Injeti, is a focused collection of optimistic head-nodding songs looking at human relationships and love. Often pegged for her fierce intelligence and ability as a rapper, “A Different Day” turns the page onto Starr’s chanteuse-like, melodic grace, and unique guitar style.

Don’t miss this multi talented woman at Deep Roots and for further info, check out:

www.kinniestarr.net
www.youtube.com/musickinniestarr

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Paddy’s Brewpub and Rosie’s Restaurant (Festival Patron)

Danny Michel

With two Juno nominations and six solo albums to his credit, Danny Michel is one of the finest and most charming songwriters to grace the stage. He’s in his element during live performances, playing off the energy of the crowd; and his spontaneity, disarming sincerity and honesty have earned him a devoted global fan base.

“Danny Michel has reached a point where his musical vocabulary is so broad, his songwriting/arranging chops so sharp, his guitar playing so distinctive and his taste for the right sonic touch so impeccable that he can do whatever he wants and make it compelling” – EYE MAGAZINE 5/5 STAR REVIEW

Danny is an innovator, demonstrating that creative artists in the digital age can build rich, successful and intimate relationship with fans. In 2008, tracks from his hit single “Feather, Fur & Fin” were made available to fans to remix and post to his website. Then, with his newest album “Sunset Sea,” recorded with American Grammy-nominated producer Mark Stockert, Danny challenged his global fan base to submit their own tracks for the album, and actually replaced a few of his own parts with what he considered better ones from his fans.

Deep Roots is thrilled to be bringing Danny Michel to our stage … don’t miss your chance to see this dynamic performer!

For more visit: www.dannymichel.com

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Sea Level Brewing Company (Friends of the Festival)

The Dungaree Brothers - Photo by Bruce Dienes

A cultural fixture in Wolfville, The Dungaree Brothers began their musical career playing at the Anvil Tavern from the 1970s to the early 1990s. They then took a break from public appearances, using an old welding shed in Port Williams as their jamming headquarters. Since the turn of the century, the “d’bros” have been in the public eye once again, delighting crowds in local venues.

Their most recent CD, The South Mountain Swamp Rock Opera was recorded with The Hupman Brothers Band and was nominated for Blues Recording of the Year at both Nova Scotia Music Week and the East Coast Music Awards. Grapevine writer, Laura MacDonald reports, “The tracks cover a broad palate, from the salty, sweaty blues tunes to sweeter, folky ballads, yet never stray from the mountain-made lyrics that tie them all together. Scott Prudence’s vocals sound like black magic, the riffs and solos readily drip with pork fat and beans, and the beats are as big and dirty as an industrial rototiller. All these elements come together to create a primal texture you can feel ooga-chugging deep down in your gut”.

We are delighted to have this homegrown talent play for us at the 2011 Deep Roots Music Festival!

For more visit: www.myspace.com/dungareebrothers

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Acadia University (Community Partner)

Twilight Hotel

Twilight Hotel, a duo comprised of singer/songwriters David Quanbury and Brandy Zdan, offers us with songs that akin to an old saddle; soft, sun-baked and just a little bit dark around the edges. The prairie landscapes of their Winnipeg homeland resonate in the roots of their songs.

Their third & latest album, When Wolves Go Blind, is a result of a musical journey they’ve taken, moving them from Winnipeg to Austin, Texas (their home for the past couple of years), and on to Nashville & L.A. for recording purposes. Haunting harmonies over bluesy backgrounds, with a bit of Tex-Mex overtones, Twilight Hotel brings a mystical mélange of musicality to their performances.

Quanbury’s jazz-blues guitar musings are harmoniously accompanied by Zdan’s marvellous accordion, and their vocal dynamics are the proverbial icing on the cake. Custom made for Deep Roots fans, David & Brandy will enchant you, take you deeper, and leave you wanting more.

For more visit:

twilighthotel.ca
www.myspace.com/twilighthotel
Videos: www.youtube.com/user/TwilightHotelMusic

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Eden Floral Design Studio (Festival Contributor)

Lake of Stew

Originating in Montreal, LAKE OF STEW sing all original, all new songs featuring their ‘great big vocal harmonies’. Rarely less than a septet, they sometimes grow to a nontet. A blend of folk, jug band, gospel & bluegrass, this group would fit neatly into South Mountain kitchen parties, and most definitely onto the Deep Roots stage.

Their latest, Sweet as Pie, is full of “the best kind of cotton-pickin’ anthems, washtub bass, kazoo solos and banjo this side of Deliverance—except it’s fun, not terrifying.” (Vue Weekly, Edmonton)

The songwriting is fun & lively, combining irresistible harmonies with infectious energy, with lead vocals rotating among the various personnel depending on the song. What they will bring to the Deep Roots Music Festival this year is likely to charm you and have your foot tapping the whole dang time they’re on stage.

For more visit:
www.lakeofstew.ca
www.myspace.com/lakeofstew

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by The Stella Rose B & B ( Festival Contributor)

Tanya Davis

Tanya Davis is a unique singer-songwriter who fuses poetry, storytelling and music together in a refreshing marriage of language and sound. Based in Halifax, Tanya has won multiple award nominations for her spoken word poetry set to music including the 2009 ECMA Female Recording of the Year and is a 2 time winner in the CBC National Poetry Face-off as well as the 2008 Mountain Stage NewSong contest.

Tanya’s short videopoem How to Be Alone has been featured at The Vancouver Film Fest, The Worldwide Short Film Festival and the VideoPoetry Festival (Berlin) and has received 1.8 million views on Youtube. Tanya’s third album, Clocks and Hearts Keep Going, released in November 2010, features unconventional arrangements, poignant lyrics and catchy expressive melodies.

Tanya collaborated with Jenn Grant, Don Brownrigg and Caledonia and was recently named the Mayor’s Poet Laureate for Halifax, Nova Scotia.

For more visit: tanyadavis.ca

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by K-Rock, 89.3 (Festival Partner)

ShoShona Kish and Raven Kanatakta front the band Digging Roots and won the 2010 Juno Award for best Aboriginal album with their latest recording “We Are”. Their music blurs the lines between roots, rock, hip-hop, and the blues and this has led to awards in multiple genres such as an Aboriginal Peoples’ Choice Award for Best Blues album and a Native American Music Award for Best Pop Album.

Digging Roots is currently working on a full length feature film, recording their third album, and gearing up for another tour that includes performances across Canada and Norway. Deep Roots is sure you will “dig” Digging Roots!

For more visit:

www.diggingrootsmusic.com
www.myspace.com/diggingroots

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Sponsored by Harwood House (Festival Builder)

Ron Hynes is best known for writing the all-time classic “Sonny’s Dream” and is often referred to as the “the man of a thousand songs”.

Ron has won six East Coast Music Awards, a Genie Award, and has been nominated for JUNO, CCMA and Canadian Folk Music awards. He holds an Honorary PhD from Memorial University for his contribution to the cultural life of his beloved Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the recent recipient of the SOCAN National Achievement Award.

Deep Roots is thrilled to welcome Ron Hynes and will also be screening William D. MacGillivray’s “The Man of a Thousand Songs” – a documentary that follows Hynes on a darkly humorous, profound, and engaging journey of self-exploration. The movie premiered to sold out houses at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival and includes powerful performances recorded live especially for this film.

Some would argue that Ron’s latest CD “Stealing Genius” is a misnomer. Stealing genius is not necessary for Mr. Hynes – he already has more than his share!

For more visit: www.hynesite.org

{ Comments on this entry are closed }