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.
“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.
| Tweener Acts |
Lachlan Neville
Lachlan Neville is a singer/songwriter from Rocanville, Saskatchewan a small town on the plains of western Canada known for potash mining, agriculture and hockey. Exposed at an early age to country and folk music, Lachlan began to write rapidly, honing his lyrical chops. Inspired by the likes of Dylan, Waits, Prine and Isbell, he is bold and intentional with lives lived in his tales of loss, empathy and mischief. Lachlan has been working with LittleJack Films and Blake Berglund while preparing for the studio.
5 Guys Named Dave
5 Guys Named Dave is a 5 piece old time string band based out of Saskatoon, SK. Brought together one warm summer night, these talented musicians are since devoted to serenade and entertain combining their love of music and a quirky sense of fun. Featuring rip roaring fiddle, sweet rolling banjo, quick chopping mandolin, rhythmic guitar, slapping bass and some smooth vocals, these Daves will have your toe tapping to some old favourites and singing along to your new favourites in no time!
Grid Road Special
We’re a small version of BJ and Friends (all located in Waldheim) and have been performing together for several years. We provide a variety of bluegrass, gospel, instrumentals and old favorites. We enjoy bringing entertainment to Senior’s homes, special occasions, festivals and community entertainment nights. We would love to be a part of the festival this year.
Get Off The Grass
Hailing from the Loon Lake and Meadow Lake areas, this group with Al Bosman (mandolin), Rob Perratt (guitar), Janet McIvor (mandolin), and John Mielke (banjitar) hosts a monthly Library Jam in Meadow Lake, and performs at various local gatherings, Senior’s facilities and music festivals. They put their own spin on a variety of bluegrass, old rock, country, folk, and blues songs, and have a ton of fun doing it.
The Better Halves
Hailing from the prairie landscape and wide open skies of Regina, Saskatchewan, The Better Halves are a duo with a passion for the golden era of country duets. Nathan and Pamela have been harmonizing together for years, creating a sound that is as authentic as it is irresistible.
While Pamela’s mandolin and Nathan’s guitar provide the backdrop, their tight harmony and undeniable chemistry is what makes them shine. Whether you catch them crooning a classic tearjerker or playfully trading verses, it’s clear this pair are truly each other’s better half.
With a repertoire spanning classic country, bluegrass, and folk, The Better Halves bring a refreshingly genuine energy to every performance. So if you’re in the mood for some homespun harmonies and good old-fashioned country charm, let this dynamic duo steal your heart.
Gopher Broke Orchestra
Mark grew up going to oldtime dances in small town community halls and one room schools and sometimes sat in with some of the players who pioneered the genre.
Mona spent 17 years playing music with her family band on the streets and stages of Canada, USA and Europe.
Together they bring a mix of old country, swing and rock and roll classics, Appalachian hoe down and Saskatchewan dance standards.
They have recently been joined by “Li’l Mark and Mona”, come on down and meet them.
Gopher Broke Orchestra will be entertaining at the welcome gate Friday at 3pm and Saturday at 11am
| Tweener Acts – Community Arts Mentorship Program |
Lavender Blood
Lavender Blood is a new band from Stanley Mission, Sk. They are a group of high school students who do a mixture of original music and covers. This year at the festival, the band will consist of Shellie McLeod, Eris Worm, Leander Worn and Serenity Charles.
Shellie McLeod
Shellie McLeod has recently graduated and is from Stanley Mission, Sk. She picked up the fiddle after meeting Olivia Morelli in late 2022, who was teaching fiddle at her school through the Community Arts Mentorship Program. She has been playing guitar and fiddle ever since and has always been drawn to the sounds of this fiddle.
Surprise Performance
See what the Community Arts Mentorship Program students have been up to for the past week at camp. They’ll sing you a new song they wrote, a new song they learned, or tell you an interesting story about where they are from!