Matt Andersen…a powerhouse performer with a giant soul-filled voice and commanding stage presence, has built a formidable following the old fashioned way – through word of mouth. With over 2 million views on YouTube, independent album sales of over 30,000, a 2013 European Blues Award, three Maple Blues Awards in 2012 and winning Best Solo…
Kristin Andreassen (Uncle Earl, Sometymes Why) is known for smart lyrics and emotive singing that’s both “inventive” (The New Yorker) and deeply rooted in American traditional music. Before releasing her new album, Gondolier, Kristin toured the world as a clogger, fiddler, guitarist and singer, sharing the stage and recording studio with such maverick talents as…
Andy and Ariana’s performances are “quirky, exotic and enjoyable,” rather like CBC’s Stan Carew’s description of their CD Eye to Eye (2013). An original mix of gypsy, roots, jazz and blues combine Andy’s guitar/bass and beat-box rhythm section with Ariana’s vocals, violin and saxophone. A soulful joyful sound.
The BackYard Devils’ story started about 5 years ago, leading to but not stopping with the release of their self-titled album in May 2011. With a swinging guitar rhythm, doghouse bass slaps, smashing guitar solos and lightning quick banjo and mandolin lines, they have managed to hammer down their own sound in an old fashion…
The Boxcar Boys, featuring six inimitable musicians, deliver a veritable gumbo of original old-style jazz and folk music with dashes of klezmer and country thrown into the mix. Their performances are joyous acoustic celebrations.
Jonathan Byrd, seventh generation Carolinian, has journeyed far and wide in his musical career (and dare we say his life experiences) to land where his career stands today. He has constantly evolved in new musical directions and each incarnation has proven to be masterful. His influences include but are not limited to his dad’s bluegrass…
The Chimney Swifts, four musicians with an extraordinary passion for music, have been playing together for over four years, always including a number of original songs in their repertoire, alongside covers of well known songs.
Amelia Curran, whose reputation as an heir to Leonard Cohen’s song writing throne was established with her first Juno Award winning album in 2010 (Hunter, Hunter), is one of Canada’s master contemporary songstresses. She has released a number of albums, in the process garnering several Juno and ECMA nominations, not to mention all the rave…
Propelled by the pulsating power of purple, Djugdjug Ensemble combines traditional West African songs, rhythms, arrangements, and at times, dance with other musical and theatrical ideas to provide energetic and eclectic performances. Booming with the sound of djembes, dununs, horns, bells, shakers, and voice, the ensemble will again be part of Deep Roots this year….
Durham County Poets grew out of the dynamic music scene in Ormstown, Quebec (originally called Durham County). Their debut album Where the River Flows, 2012, came on the heels of their first performance at the Branches and Roots’ Folk Festival in 2011. Their 2nd album, Chikkaboodah Stew, was released last year (2014) in the midst…
