Vancouver Folk Music Festival

VFMF preview: Straight, no chaser

johnnygee — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:52:46 +0000

At the risk of coming off self-promoty, we can’t resist passing on the Georgia Straight’s insightful summary of this year’s VFMF in their June 13 Summer in the City issue. They said: “the Vancouver Folk Music Festival continues to move in a new and cutting-edge direction. On the stellar undercard this year you’ll discover the likes of doom-soul diva Cold Specks, breakout electro-pop queen Hannah Georgas, and the gorgeously old-timey Hurray for the Riff Raff. At the top of the marquee are need-no-introduction heavy hitters like Steve Earle, Devotchka, Kathleen Edwards, and moonlighting Dixie Chick Natalie Maines. Folk? That only begins to describe things.” Further, they say you can expect to come away with “an expanded mind.”

That’s exactly what we were going for!

The full article:

It’s a brave new world out there, with the acoustic-oriented Bon Iver one of the most successful acts on the planet, and half of the Sub Pop roster consisting of acts that fall under the umbrella of “folk” (hello Fleet Foxes and Iron and Wine). Reflecting that reality, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival continues to move in a new and cutting-edge direction. On the stellar undercard this year you’ll discover the likes of doom-soul diva Cold Specks, breakout electro-pop queen Hannah Georgas, and the gorgeously old-timey Hurray for the Riff Raff. At the top of the marquee are need-no-introduction heavy hitters like Steve Earle, Devotchka, Kathleen Edwards, and moonlighting Dixie Chick Natalie Maines. Folk? That only begins to describe things.

When and Where: July 19 to 21 at Jericho Beach Park.

Suggested Retail Price: Visit thefestival.bc.ca/ticket-information/ for a full breakdown.

What We’d Trade Our Tickets For: A blanket set up at the foot of the Main Stage and surrounded by a red velvet rope.

Fan Profile: About as far away from 1968 as one might possibly imagine.

Appropriate Attire: In honour of Maines’s heroic efforts to unseat America’s last president before Barack Obama, a NOFX “Idiot Son of an Asshole” button.

What You’ll Walk Away With: An expanded mind, that having nothing to do with the bushel of hemp seed you plan to smoke by the park’s duck pond before entering the site.

Spotlight: Nomadic Massive

johnnygee — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:42:46 +0000

With a line-up of vocalists that rap and sing in five different languages (English, French, Spanish, Creole and Arabic), Nomadic Massive has established itself as a unique group of premier performers and skilled musicians on the Canadian hip-hop scene. Formed in the underground cultural hotbed of Montreal, they perform their own kind of hip-hop melded with social justice.

Nomadic has shared the stage with acts such as Wyclef Jean, K’naan and Guru’s Jazzmatazz, to name a few. As a pro-active and progressive group, they have supported and worked hand-in-hand with grassroots, community-based projects in Haiti, and encouraged the burgeoning hip-hop music scene in that country. They’ve left their mark internationally as well, initiating socio-cultural exchanges with like-minded artists from Brazil and Cuba.

Live, they deliver an energetic and crowd-moving show, “an exercise in cardio; hip-hop that flexes your mind, body and soul”.

Check out their Massive beats here, and their time in Haiti here.

Evening and Main Stage Schedules

johnnygee — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:58:08 +0000

Check out the lineup of performers appearing on Evening and Main stages over festival weekend!

Check back for updates.

Daytime Schedules are in process!

Friday, July 19
Main Stage from 5:00-11:00pm
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars
Hannah Georgas
Hayden
Kathleen Edwards
Dehli 2 Dublin

Stage 3 from 6:00-9:30pm
Martha Redbone Roots Project
Pharis and Jason Romero
The Alan Kelly Gang

Saturday, July 20
Main Stage from 5:00-11:00pm
Danny Michel with the Garifuna Collective
Whitehorse
Raghu Dixit Project
Steve Earle and the Dukes
The Cat Empire

Stage 3 from 6:00-9:30pm
Tinpan Orange
Debo Band
Hazmat Modine

Sunday, July 21
Main Stage from 5:00-11:00pm
Loudon Wainwright III
The Waterboys
DeVotchKa
Natalie Maines
Finale

Stage 3 from 6:00-9:30pm
Nomadic Massive
Kobo Town
Anthony Joseph and the Spasm Band

- Program Subject to Change without Notice-

Spotlight: The Cat Empire

johnnygee — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:52:15 +0000

Released in May, The Cat Empire’s eagerly-awaited new album, Steal The Light, is proving a force to be reckoned with on charts worldwide, hitting the top 20 in the iTunes album charts of five countries on the release day alone: #2 on theAustralian chart, #5 in Canada, #19 in Switzerland, #20 in Germany and #20 in Holland!

These outstanding results consolidate a wave of acclaim from fans and critics alike, with Rolling Stone describing the album as “a world of enlightenment” and Inpress hailing the record as “a career-defining statement… it is that darn good.”

The video for Steal The Light has been released.

Including footage taken during The Cat Empire’s headline performance as part of Melbourne’s White Night Festival in February, the video captures all the pure improvised energy that has made the Melbourne six-piece one of Australia’s most successful live bands.

The Cat Empire commences their world tour in July, with over 70 dates throughout the USA, Canada, South America, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands, including their Main Stage closing performance at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival on Saturday night, July 20th.

If you just can’t wait to see them on stage in the cool of a glorious summer eve along with a few thousand of your closest friends, you are not alone!

For more on The Cat Empire:
www.thecatempire.com
www.facebook.com/thecatempire
www.twitter.com/thecatempire
www.youtube.com/thecatempire

Spotlight: Phildel

johnnygee — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:49:21 +0000

“She sounds like nothing else.” The Observer

“The territory that Phildel explores is more melancholy, not to mention more dramatic….She’s at her finest at the piano, succeeding in creating an atmosphere of danger and loss.” Clash Magazine

“An amazing new artist” – BBC Radio 2, Nikki Bedi

PHILDEL’s deep appreciation of sound stems from an understanding of silence. During her childhood, music was forbidden by her religious stepfather. She came to know silence well.

With no CD player, no radio and no piano at home, it was in secret – in the school music room at lunchtime – that the seeds of her unique sound were sewn.

You’ve already heard PHILDEL’s music, though you may not know it.

Cited as an inspiration by Mariah Huehner, author of the True Blood and Angel comic books, her songs have also been used in a number of TV ads and movie soundtracks.

Her debut album Disappearance Of The Girl, released on June 3, contains magical songs of resistance and escape, written in the years after she took the difficult decision to break away from the oppressive household. Her music is a journey into the landscape of her imagination, at times beautifully enchanting, at others, raw and difficult.

Charismatic in live performance, we know this artist is, as the Independent says, “One To Watch.”

Phildel will be joined on stage by Ashwin Sood on drums (Sarah McLachlan’s drummer), and Chris Young on synthesizer.

Spotlight: Natalie Maines

johnnygee — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 05:47:40 +0000

The Georgia Straight‘s Adrian Mack said that singer Natalie Maines (along with fellow 2013 VFMF artist Steve Earle) symbolizes “the sweet spot between mainstream success and righteous shit-disturbance.”

The Huffington Post says: “Maines’ talent once put the Dixie Chicks atop the country music world… [and her new solo album] Mother… proves that, as an artist, she’s still an American treasure.”

And it is not only because she is, in her own words “a pro-gay, pro-choice, pro-woman, pro-free speech kind of a person” that we’re eagerly anticipating welcoming her to our Sunday night Main Stage at the festival (her one & only festival appearance).

It’s really just to hear “that voice” raised in song, to experience first-hand what musical collaborator Ben Harper calls “one of the greatest vocalists alive.” Her recording Mother, just out, shows a new musical side of this chart topper, and is gathering great reviews:

“Mother is a flat-out masterpiece, an ideal match of singer and songs that moves Maines from being a skilled and decorative singer into one of the most emotive vocalists of our time.” – New York Daily News

“Maines has grown into something newly dynamic, and entirely her own.” – EntertainmentWeekly.com

“Maines’ unique voice gives additional depth to songs that already are as deep as the Marianas Trench… worthy of a late-night one-on-one tete-a-tete with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s. Great stuff, and about time.” – Chuck Yarborough, The Plain Dealer

And, we’re just saying, the park may look big but it is possible for us to sell out.

Make sure you’re there to see Ms. Maines cap off a glorious weekend of music with us.

For a look at the making of Mother, click here.

Natalie Maines on David Letterman

Dixie Chick Natalie Maines stepped out on her own on the Late Show With David Letterman, performing Take It on Faith from her new solo debut, Mother. Backed by a band including piano, strings, and Ben Harper on steel guitar, the singer poured out her voice as the song built to a fiery solo from Harper and a soaring extro.

Spotlight: Kobo Town

Linda Tanaka — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 03:28:20 +0000

There are those who say that calypso has been in decline since the heyday of the form, when artists like Mighty Sparrow and Lord Kitchener were bringing the once-censored music to the international scene. If that is true, then Kobo Town leader Drew Gonsalves is determined to put that right. He is on a mission to bring the wit, the storytelling, the outspoken politics and the charismatic rhythm and melody of Trinidadian calypso to 21st century audiences.Drew was born in Trinidad and moved to Canada as a teenager, where he became fascinated by the music and heritage of the homeland he’d left behind. He set about writing new songs in the Calypsonian tradition, but with a fresh and contemporary twist. His band Kobo Town is named after the historic neighborhood in Port-of-Spain where calypso was born. In his music, Gonsalves praises calypso as a medium of news, his own lyrics covering topics ranging from the death penalty to tourists who take photos of Caribbean poverty. In the modern world of Kobo Town, calypso, roots reggae, and acoustic instrumentation meet innovative production techniques, social commentary and indie rock attitude.With producer Ivan Duran, best known for his work with Garifuna singer Andy Palacio, Kobo Town has released Jumbie in the Jukebox.The reviews are, shall we say, very positive! Kobo Town’s Jumbie in the Jukebox is considered one of the best albums of the year. In the few short weeks since the album’s release, they’ve been compared to The Specials, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Harry Belafonte, The Mighty Sparrow, the Rebirth Brass Band and other great artists from a variety of genres.

“Jumbie in the Jukebox’s tales of love and Trinidadian history and folklore, are performed in a style that evokes the ebullience of the Rebirth Brass Band and the funky quirkiness of Tom Waits’ Swordfish Trombones, and poises Kobo Town to emerge as one of the powerful voices in modern calypso.” – Examiner

National Public Radio’s All Things Considered raves, “The music of the Toronto band can drift between classic Caribbean pop styles and even verge on hip-hop, but the singer’s perspective remains sharply focused, wry and witty. Jumbie in the Jukebox is a seductive invitation to musical time travel — and one that’s hard to resist.”

Listen Here and then meet us in the park on the July 19-21 weekend, when we’ll all get to experience Kobo Town’s sizzling music live!

Welcome to the Festival from the Artistic Director

johnnygee — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:08:17 +0000

This is your personal invitation to explore the line-up for the 36^th edition of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and join us at the park July 19-21.

I’m excited to share the new discoveries that make the festival special, along with those artists whose names you will definitely recognize. All sixty-five artists performing this year are amazing and unique, and I hope you’ll take the time to get to know more about them. Some of them will be performing for one day or evening only, but most will be with us for the entire weekend.

I encourage you to peruse the performers’ bios and check out their websites and videos and return to our website often for more updates.

As always, the artists will be showcased in collaborative sessions, including the ever-popular Sunday morning gospel session, and some great late night dance parties. Join our newsletter, and we’ll keep you posted on some of the singer-songwriter and intercultural collaborations we’ve got planned in the upcoming weeks.

We hope you will mark your calendars for another glorious weekend of music and celebration in Jericho Beach Park. I look forward to seeing you there.

Linda Tanaka
Artistic Director
Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Coming this summer to a beach-side park near you!

johnnygee — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:33:11 +0000

Some pretty famous names will be lighting up the festival and the evening Main Stage this year, including: Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines on her solo tour, American singer and songwriting legend Steve Earle performing with his band The Dukes, Canada’s very own Kathleen Edwards, UK Celtic-rock group The Waterboys, hot Aussy band The Cat Empire, as well as American folk icon Loudon Wainwright III, who’ll be making his debut appearance at the VFMF, to name a few.

In addition, we’re thrilled to welcome and introduce to you a world of glorious music and to artists you may not know as well, including: Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Canada’s Danny Michel and his collaboration with The Garifuna Collective from Belize, Ethiopian-American pop/soul/funk ensemble Debo Band, and Egyptian singer Fatma Zidan. Hanggai from China/Inner Mongolia, as well as our own music treasure, the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble.

On the bluegrass/Americana/old time music front, we are happy to announce Black Prairie (featuring members of The Decemberists), singer-songwriter and fiddler Sara Watkins (previously a member of Nickel Creek), San Francisco area’s string quintet The Brothers Comatose, banjo maestro Jayme Stone and, direct from Horsefly BC, Pharis & Jason Romero.

Celtic, Celtic/World and Quebecois music rules with the likes of The Alan Kelly Gang, The Latchikos, Bon Débarras and Vancouver’s own cutting edge Delhi 2 Dublin.

We have a slew of emerging and established talent joining us at Jericho, as well. There’s folk-rock super couple Whitehorse, Vancouver’s own Hannah Georgas, songwriting genius Hayden, indie-rock group The Wooden Sky, alt-country singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge, and Québec-based hip hop group Nomadic Massive. We’ve got Australia’s Tinpan Orange, guitar-wiz Kaki King, the amazing Colorado-based worldies DeVotchKa and so much more!

Get ready for some hot times at Jericho!

Festival 2012 Memories

johnnygee — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:10:43 +0000

The 35th Annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival was one to remember. The sun shone, the park was full, and of course the music was simply amazing. We launched the Memory Project this year with the aim of capturing memories from the past 35 years and we did our best to generate a whole new batch of happy memories to add to the collection. Thank you to everyone who spent the weekend with us at Jericho Beach Park – audience members, volunteers and performers. You are our Folk Fest family and you keep us coming back to the park year after year. See you in 2013!

Vancouver Folk Music Festival 2012 Video Highlights

Green Couch Sessions at VFMF

Selected photos from the amazing VFMF photo committee (+ Kaya)

Festival 35 may be over, but the memories remain. The Memory Project lives on online – please post your memories from this year’s Festival and add to our growing database of Festival memories.

We say “Folk Festival”… You say….?
Seeing Pete Seeger strum his banjo while sitting in a puddle. Jamming with Freshlyground . . . in my living room! Holding my daughter tight during Dan Mangan’s enchanting version of Hallelujah.

What’s the first memory that comes to your mind when you think about the Vancouver Folk Music Festival?
In its 35 years, the Festival has moved, delighted, affected, and even changed people’s lives. Everyone has a favourite memory. What’s yours?

Share your memories!
Contribute to The Memory Project, a celebration of 35 years of extraordinary Festival experiences! Together we’ll create an online living legacy of photos, videos, and stories that will inspire Festival lovers – new and old – to connect with, and remember, the special history of our beloved Festival.

Plus! Every submission you make enters your name for a chance to score some 35th Anniversary-themed memorabilia!

Send us your photos, videos, and snapshot-stories!

Share the memories that best capture your experience of the spirit and energy of the Festival. Reach back in your brain – send us memories that span our 35-year history.

Photo and Video Guidelines:	Pretty much anything goes! We love candid shots of crowds, performers, special moments, and any other exciting experiences you’ve captured. If you can, include the who, what, when, where, and why of the photo and/or video you submit. Whatever you can tell us is appreciated!
Snapshot-story Guidelines:	A snapshot-story is a short written anecdote, in 150 words or less, sharing your memorable Festival moment. We’ve included memory stimulators here to help get your brain juices flowin’.

Send your submissions to:
memories@thefestival.bc.ca
Be sure to include your name and where you’re from (Vancouver, Surrey, San Francisco, etc.).

All submissions will be moderated for posting on vfmfmemoryproject.tumblr.com
Feel free to submit directly to tumblr: if you have an existing account you can sign in and submit, those without an account are able to submit with just their name and email address (no sign-up required).

The Fine Print
In submitting your photographs, videos, and snapshot-stories you are authorizing the Vancouver Folk Music Festival to use your submissions in all Festival promotional materials. The VFMF reserves the right to edit for length and consistency. Posting of submissions is subject to VFMF approval.

Snapshot-story memory stimulator!

Sit down with some great photos, hold a jam session, share a cup of coffee, or even a beer! and stir up your favourite Folk Festival memories. Check below for inspiration:

When were you first introduced to the Festival? How? By whom? How old were you?
What was your first impression the moment you walked on the Festival site?
Do you have a specific performance you’ll always remember? A workshop? New artist?
Do you have a favourite memory of working for the Festival? Volunteering? Performing?
Do you know of anyone getting married at the Festival? Engaged? Celebrating their birthday? Celebrating their anniversary?
Have you connected, or reconnected, with a friend, partner, family member, etc. at the Festival?
Have you ever met an artist? At the Festival? Because of the Festival? How did it happen?
Do you and your family, or group of friends, have any special Festival traditions? What are they?
Do you have any stories of behind-the-scenes happenings that make the Festival so magical for you?
Have you ever felt so inspired by the Festival that you: decide to take up an instrument? Write your own song? Change your life path? Declare your love from a mountain-top?
Have you ever been so moved by a performance that you were: forced to hold your breath? Covered in goose-bumps? Brought to tears?
Have you heard one-liners, lyrics, or even jokes that have stuck with you from the moment you heard them at the Festival?
Have you discovered any new food at the Festival? Mustard?
Have you experienced new flavours or tastes at the Festival? A delicious mustard from Granny’s Hotdogs? Fallen in love with roasted corn?

Back to The Memory Project