AUG 16 - 18, 2024 MUSIC FESTIVAL

Seth Mulder & Midnight Run  |  Golden Shoals  |  Tristen Durocher  |  Soil & Grass  |  Lost Highway Navigators  |  Gil & Wil  |  Mary Liv  |  Clayton Linthicum  |  Sharptail  |  Tubbman Junction  |  
Ken & Esther

Seth Mulder & Midnight Run is traditional bluegrass music at its best! Hailing from the heart of the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run present a high-energy show filled with nostalgic entertainment, tight harmonies, and skillful musicianship, all built around a curated set list of original material and lost covers.
Incorporating elements of Bluegrass, country, folk, and roots music. Seth Mulder & Midnight Run aim to preserve the legacy of bluegrass music and carry that torch forward into the future with their music.  
By definition, they are a traditional bluegrass band but progressive by writing their own material and presenting old material like no other in the genre.
In a day and age where authenticity is everything, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run are the real deal; as one of the most talked-about young bands on the circuit today, the future of bluegrass music is in good hands.

Golden Shoals is a fiddle and guitar duo with a “rousing old-time-style music that’s fueled by acerbic modern-day wit” (-No Depression Magazine). They are no strangers to traditional music, having placed in contests including Clifftop (3rd place 2023, 4th place 2022), Mount Airy, The Grand Masters Fiddlers Championship and Galax. Often switching instruments between fiddle, two guitars, and banjo, their original songs have been compared to Gillian Welch, with the added edge of instrumental prowess informed by energetic old time and bluegrass recordings. Initially brought together by a mutual love of American folk music, Golden Shoals’ sound has expanded to include country, Americana, Indie and Experimental influences, allowing them to move more freely beyond genre boundaries with their songwriting while still emanating a deep understanding of Old-Time and Bluegrass music. Ever
inspired by the enduring spirit of traditional Appalachian mountain music, their
songwriting comes across as simple, honest, and fresh to the ears. The listener can
expect the polished technique of conservatory training, in tandem with the grit, drive,
and soul of musicians like Roscoe Holcomb or Ola Belle Reed.

Tristen Durocher is a Metis Fiddle player from Buffalo Narrows Saskatchewan who started playing the fiddle at the age of 9, inspired by his great-grandfather Marius Cummings who was a northern Metis fiddler. Since begging, Durocher has received instruction at various fiddle camps in western Canada, Camp Calvin in St Paul Alberta, The Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party in Kenosee Lake Saskatchewan, and The John Arcand Fiddle Fest in Saskatoon. Teaching music is how he spends most of his time, with occasional breaks to follow his passion of photography and travel.

This bluegrass band from Treaty 4, comprised of Quinn Legare (banjo), Karley Parovsky (fiddle) and Nick Day (guitar), is on a North Western journey to bring music, land, and community into connection, digging into our roots – but only to the
depth of the plow.

“We call our music ‘Cosmic Honky-tonk’. But really, it’s simple, old-fashioned country music.  Expect pedal steel, fiddle, telecaster, upright bass, harmonica, and a sackful of tunes about lovin’, hurtin’, drinkin’ and flirtin’. ” 

Led by singer, songwriter and harmonica journeyman Patton MacLean, Lost Highway Navigators feature some Saskatchewan’s finest roots players.

This machine features Jay “Blue Steel” Metheral on upright bass, Keith “Yoda” Mcconnell on pedal steel,  Guy “Dr. Fingers” Perrin on telecaster,  James “Man of” Steele on fiddle, Ryan “Daddy Blue Eyes” Shotton on mandolin, and “Smilin’Brad” Stratychuk on drums. Together, they produce music that is seductively simple and perfect for two-stepping – except when broken by a rasping lament or echoing instrumental, always delivering that familiar upbeat shuffle and wry, heartworn lyricism. 

Gil & Wil is a femme duo based out of Saskatoon, SK, made up of members Holly Gilroy (she/her) & Aiden McRorie Wilson (she/her). Bringing spice and a modern take to western swing, bluegrass, and old-time music, the two seamlessly blend their voices, making use of tight harmonies while passing melody lines between each other. Once the sun breaks through the prairie winter, the duo can often be found gallivanting around Saskatchewan’s many music festivals in vintage skirts and dresses. Gil & Wil lean in to goofy banter to support their on-stage charm, and find the most joy in collaborating with many first-rate friends. They sure do have a hoot and hope you do too!

Mary Liv has been playing music for over 10 years. She started in classical and Canadian old time music and grew up going to John Arcand Fiddle Fest. She has been teaching music privately for five years. In 2022, she started working for CAMP and got to work in Buffalo Narrows and Stanley Mission schools. She now works for Fiddles North as well, spending January 2024 in Nunavut teaching traditional fiddle to underserved youth. Through her years of experience, she has learned how to teach to different ages, levels, and learning styles. Mary Liv has a strong focus on the value of community and music, she has started and supported many music programs in her community and others. Mary Liv just released her debut album, Fiddlin’ Around, and has been touring this past year. She is set to tour March 2024 as well. Mary Liv also plays banjo and fiddle in Five Guys Named Dave, fiddles for Jake Vaadeland and The Local Group, plays guitar/banjo/fiddle/bass in her band, Mary Liv and Emmy Lou, and plays with just about anyone who asks her. She is excited to be working on a new, all originals, album in 2024!

Clayton Linthicum is a guitar player and singer living in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He was introduced to folk music at a young age when he attended the Emma Lake Fiddle Camp. Since then, Clayton has spent his musical life absorbing influence from country blues guitarists, Scottish ballad singers, old time banjo players and other traditional musicians. Following the path of players like Martin Carthy, Doc Watson, and his mentor Freddie Pelletier, Clayton has devoted much of his recent practice to adapting fiddle tunes for the guitar. As a member of the duo Kacy & Clayton, Clayton has performed on CBC Radio’s Q, NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, BBC Radio’s Cerys Matthews Show and appeared at such festivals as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, MerleFest, Pickathon, and Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival. Kacy & Clayton have released 6 albums, receiving nominations for both the Juno Awards and the Polaris Music Prize.

Aryn Murray and Mitch Dureault met almost exactly 2 years ago in the green room at Doyle Fest and were haphazardly thrown into an unrehearsed performance. The 2 realized afterwards they might actually be able to have some fun and create something interesting. Mitch the wise young fiddler invited Aryn the novice old fiddler to be a part of a fiddle mentorship program in Northern Saskatchewan.

A friendship was born.

Aryn was raised in Saskatoon and cut his teeth hanging around the Ness Creek community, playing youth stages and open mics; busking around Saskatoon’s core, attending Irish sessions and bluegrass camps with his folks. Aryn got into the bar circuit and released an EP in 2015 (Smoke stack). After playing on his own, Aryn went on to form the Celtic influenced folk group SlashPile and toured western Canada

Mitch, born to a ranching family near Wosley in southern SK, knew from a young age that he wanted to follow in his grandpa’s footsteps and took up the fiddle. He traveled back and forth between the Capitol city and home to get instruction, along with attending music camps such as Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party. Mitch now works as a fiddle teacher in Northern SK communities and teaches fiddle across the province.

Joule Tallman is a songwriter & poet who has spent her life toiling a living from prairie soil, growing food & caring for the horses of Saskatchewan, entertaining & building community around campfires and small stages since 2006.

 

Riley Tubbs is a multi-instrumentalist hailing from the ranch country of Central Alberta. He’s played upright bass & sang harmony vocals with Tim Hus & The Rocky Two, Allen Christie, Canadian Whitewater, and the Amber Williams Band, touring North & Central America & sharing stages with the likes of Corb Lund, Ian Tyson, Ramblin’ Jack, Adam Gregory, and Sean Hogan.

Together they share a love for clever lyrics, bouncing bass lines, sweet harmonies and ballads, and endeavour to bring a smile to your face and a feeling to your soul with a spattering of traditional and original tunes, well seasoned with samplings of lesser known artists in the indie-roots-Americana-folk-blues & bluegrass genres.

Saturday square dance at Northern Lights Bluegrass

Saturday Square Dance with Mary Liv

Join Mary Liv and others as they lead you in an afternoon square dance in front of the main stage! Time to fill the dance floor! All dances taught on the spot so no need to be an expert!

Ken & Esther

Sunday Morning Gospel With Ken & Esther

Ken Olson, the founding member of Ken Olson & Friends, was part of the bluegrass gospel group, The Baler Strings.  When the group disbanded, Ken recorded his first solo project, Just a Closer Walk.  The album was nominated for Country Gospel Album of the Year by the Saskatchewan County Music Association. From there, the group Ken Olson & Friends was formed. Two albums were recorded with two different configurations of the band, House of Gold and Grandpa’s Way of Life.  

Esther Bregg moved from The Baler Strings sound board to the stage.  She has been part of Ken Olson & Friends since its inception, singing harmony and later some lead, and playing bass.  

Ken and Esther have travelled to conventions of the Country Gospel Music Association in Canada and the U.S. since 2003, often performing as a duo.  They have received numerous awards for Bluegrass Artist of the Year, as well as for Producer and Manager.  They also received the award Bluegrass Artist of the Decade, for 2009-2018.

Ken and Esther are now expanding their focus as a duo. They are presenting country, bluegrass and gospel music with harmony singing, accompanied by guitar and bass, as they seek to entertain and minister in music.