Main Act: Naomi Bristow with Steve Piticco
Opening Act: Ken Yates
Desboro Music Hall 2017 Concert Series
All Ages
Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets: Advance: $20 ($17.70 +HST), Regular: $25 ($22.12 +HST)
*Advance tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show or we run out (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)
Naomi Bristow
Naomi is a young artist that hails from a small farm in Ontario, Canada. Her family was involved in the rodeo life which led her down the path of country, western and gospel music. At a young age, Naomi has made some impressive contributions to the industry which include opening for Gene Watson, Johnny Reid, David Frizzell, Moe Bandy, Ronda Vincent, Charlie Daniels, Marty Stuart, Jim Ed Brown, George Canyon, Bobby Bare, Dean Brody and many others. Among the many accolades received in the past, Naomi cherishes the “Fans Choice Award” from the Havelock Jamboree, the “Rising Star Award” from the BC Cowboy Heritage Festival and the Western Music Association two time winner, “Youth Yodeler of the Year”. Naomi has received awards from the Municipal, Provincial and Federal Governments for her outstanding achievement in music. Naomi was honored to be a two time nominee for the Western Music Association Crescendo Award and the Ontario Country Music Award Rising Star. She has also been featured in the United States for the third season of Shotgun Red Variety Show and she is a regular on the Midwest Country Show both on the RFD television network. Naomi has recorded 7 CD’s that demonstrate her incredible singing and yodeling talents earning her “Best Traditional Yodel Album of the Year 2010”. Naomi has had the absolute honor of recording in Nashville featuring Grand Ole Opry stars, Jim Ed Brown, Richard Sterban, Whispering Bill Anderson and recently recording a gospel album with Vince Gill. Naomi was also featured on Canada’s Got Talent in the 2012 season. Naomi will capture your heart and she will be sure to please any audience.
Albums
2007 Cowboy Sweetheart
2008 The Yodelin’ Cowgirl
2009 Ridin’ High
2010 Lookin’ Back with Jim Ed Brown
2011 Lovin’ the Ride with Jim Ed Brown and Richard Sterban
2012 Blessed Trails with Vince Gill
2013 The Heart of the Cowgirl DVD
2014 Stayin’ on Track
2015 Yodelin’ Christmas with Whispering Bill Anderson
· Recorded with Jim Ed Brown 2010/11
· Recorded with Richard Sterban 2011
· Recorded with Vince Gill 2012
· Recorded with Whispering Bill Anderson 2015
· Opened for Gene Watson
· Opened for Charlie Daniels
· Opened for Helen Cornellus
· Opened Jim Ed Brown
· Opened for Marty Stuart (Kipawa, Canada)
· Opened for The Good Brothers
· Opened for The Quebe Sisters
· Opened for David Church
· Opened for Bobby Bare
· Opened for Moe Bandy
· Opened for Gary Fjellgaard
· Opened for George Canyon
· Opened for Gordie Tapp
· Duet with Dean Brody on Arena Tour
· Headliner at the Hank Snow Festival
· Featured on the top list of Canada’s Got Talent
· 3 Seasons of Shotgun Red Variety Show
· Monthly featured for the 4th year on Midwest Country RFD TV
· Fans Choice Award for the Havelock Country Jamboree
· Rising Star Award from the BC Cowboy Heritage Society
· Western Music Association two-time Youth Yodeler of the Year and 2 nominations for Crescendo Award
· Municipal, Provincial and Federal awards for outstanding achievement in music
Naomi Bristow Website
Naomi Bristow Facebook
Naomi Bristow YouTube
Steve Piticco
STEVE PITICCO; born in Toronto, Ontario on July 6th/1961, started playing guitar at age eleven.
At the age of fifteen years he purchased his Telecaster and has since then, performed professionally with that specific guitar.
Subsequently, he has toured and recorded with countless Top Canadian Country acts, who utilize him for his distinctive Tele sound.
Ken Yates
Since first planting roots within the Canadian music scene in 2011, Ken Yates has steadily grown a reputation as one of the country’s brightest singer/songwriters. His sound offers the complete package—unforgettable melodies, emotionally charged storytelling, and top-notch guitar chops—all gloriously displayed on Yates’ new album, Huntsville. Produced by Jim Bryson (Weakerthans, Kathleen Edwards), Yates’ second full-length effort is a major stylistic step forward, with its 11 tracks capturing his artistic evolution amid extensive touring over the past three years. “Keep Your Head Down,” with its subtle, driving groove, opens the album like a train pulling out at dawn, with vast, open vistas lying ahead. Those come into focus on other key tracks such as “Once More To The Lake,” “Roll Me On Home” and “The Best Part Of Leaving.” Yet, everywhere on the album, echoes of the Canadian songwriting tradition, from Gordon Lightfoot to Bruce Cockburn to Ron Sexsmith, are apparent, proving that with Huntsville, Ken Yates is ready to join that exalted company. A native of London, Ontario (a few hours’ drive south of the actual Huntsville), Yates studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. His first release, The Backseat EP, came out in 2011, followed by his full-length debut, twenty-three in 2013. One track on that album caught the ear of fellow Berklee alum John Mayer, who commented in a lengthy blog post, “Ken Yates wrote a song called ‘I Don’t Wanna Fall In Love.’ This song moved me when I first heard it, and it still does today.”
Ken Yates Website
Ken Yates Facebook
Ken Yates Twitter
Ken Yates Instagram
Opening Act: Benjamin Dakota Rogers
Desboro Music Hall 2017 Concert Series
All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets: Advance: $20 ($17.70 +HST), Regular: $25 ($22.12 +HST)
*Advance tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show or we run out (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)
Honey Brothers
Drew McIvor
If music be romance, then Drew McIvor’s music just might be the first date: playful, chatty, honestly yearning to connect. With his trusty six-string, this charismatic crooner performs with a masterful simplicity inviting audiences not only to listen, but truly share the musical experience. His deep affection for his craft is apparent at every turn; you can feel his heart is in the music, and it is contagious.
Jayden Grahlman
Being around Jayden when he has a guitar in his hand and a song on his lips is being around a good thing. There’s nothing to figure out, it’s just musical joy. Combining effervescent, capable song writing with truly staggering guitar chops, he delivers performances that not only say “man can this guy play” but more over, “isn’t music wonderful!”
On their own these two Georgian Bay gems shine. Combined, they sparkle, offering up a beautifully melodic palette of folk, americana, gypsy swing, and acoustic soul in sweet skillful harmony.
Drew McIvor Website
Drew McIvor Facebook
Jayden Grahlman Facebook
Jayden Grahlman Soundcloud
Benjamin Dakota Rogers
Benjamin Dakota Rogers is a multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter and composer. Using his captivating voice, explosive fiddle and guitar he is creating music that draws you in with stories and poetry. His fiddle work has been described as hard driving, powerful folk with a contemporary edge. Benjamin has brought his love of music to audiences of all ages with his musicality and engaging performance. He is accompanied by Chris Rait on stand-up bass, guitar and warm harmonies. Accolades include Two Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, three Hamilton music award nominations and winner of two International Songwriting competitions. He is quickly becoming a fan favorite. Benjamin was excited to learn Folk Roots Radio placed his third CD Whisky and Pine at #6 in the top 10 albums of 2016!
Benjamin Dakota Rogers Website
Benjamin Dakota Rogers Facebook
Benjamin Dakota Rogers Twitter
Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series
All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets: Limited Advance: $20, Regular: $25
*Advance tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show or we run out (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)
PIPER HAYES
Piper Hayes is a Canadian folk pop singer-songwriter and social activist based in Hamilton, Ontario. She has toured her original music extensively across North America, Europe, the U.K., and Nepal. She teaches workshops on mental health, vocal empowerment, and songwriting all over the world. She often teams up with the Canadian Mental Health Association, using contact education to reduce stigma around mental illness. She has released two EPs, a live album and most recently a full-length album to much critical acclaim. She is a two time nominee of the Ontario Arts Council’s Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award in 2016 and 2017. Nowadays she performs, tours and writes with her partner Carson Ritcey-Thorpe. On December 8, 2017 Piper released her debut full-length album ‘Piper & Carson’, which is designed to be listened to start to finish. It is a compilation of intentioned tracks; a reflection of the couple’s last few years; and a moment in time. Recorded live off the floor at Thorpe’s Organics and produced by Chris Bartos.
Piper Hayes Website
Piper Hayes Facebook
Piper Hayes Instagram
Piper Hayes Twitter
PAT MALONEY
A true red and white travelling songwriter, Pat Maloney has performed a thousand times in the last few years all over Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. He’s a casual strummer who sings in a rich baritone, stomping away and whistling like no other. Three full length albums deep, Pat’s catalogue is diverse in character & feel. A committed genre hopper, his music is inclusive and free of pretension. The one thing his songs have in common is that they all tell stories. Real stories, with real heart and a healthy sense of humour. His favourite bartender once said his voice makes her want to sip a nice bourbon and fall in love. He told her he would add that to his next bio.
Pat Maloney Website
Pat Maloney Facebook
Pat Maloney Instagram
Pat Maloney Twitter
JESSICA PEARSON & THE EAST WIND
After their first international tour of Ireland, release of their Debut EP ‘Grave and Garden Songs’ in July 2017 and summer tour across Ontario, Jessica Pearson and the East Wind show no sign of slowing down. This Folk Canadiana Trio from Ottawa have since taken the stage at JunoFest, RBC’s Bluesfest and Manitoulin Country Festival as well as played with Hillsburn, the East Pointers, Murder Murder and Ten Strings and a Goat Skin! Jessica Pearson and the East wind’s music infuses Americana and Celtic sounds into their folk roots story telling.
Recently signed with Willow Sound Records, Jessica Pearson and the East Wind’s dynamic live shows take you on a journey with heartwarming melodies, spirited story telling and haunting three part harmonies! The band is known for its strong audience engagement during shows and magnetic personality.
Jessica Pearson & the East Wind Website
Jessica Pearson & the East Wind Facebook
Jessica Pearson & the East Wind Instagram
Jessica Pearson & the East Wind Twitter
Opening Act: Graham Nicholas
Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series
All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets: Limited Advance: $20, Regular: $25
*Advance tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show or we run out (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)
LONESOME ACE STRINGBAND
The Lonesome Ace Stringband brings grit, skill and abandon to old-time, Appalachian folk songs and fiddle/banjo tunes. The members are Chris Coole on banjo, John Showman on fiddle and Max Heineman on bass. Together they bring a deep respect for the roots of the music, a keen sense of innovation to the performance and material, and a passion for the sound that transcends both. 2018 will see the band release it’s 3rd album “When the Sun Comes Up”, which takes a step away from the traditional repertoire of the first two recordings and features the songwriting of all three members. Since they’re inception in 2008, LAS have developed the kind of instinctual rapport, that only comes from seasoned musicians logging many hundreds of playing hours together. This is old-time music for today’s old soul.
Lonesome Ace Stringband Website
GRAHAM NICHOLAS
With the release of his new album, Dial Tones and Pretty Notes, Graham Nicholas has created an emotionally resonant world inhabited by troubled and love-hungry characters. Never alienated for their insecurities, his characters are instead respected by the empathetic voice of an honest songwriter. The album finds Nicholas honing in on his concise form of storytelling and refining his irreverent sense of humour. Coupling the narratives with a backing band that harkens back to the likes of The Heartbreakers, Travelling Wilburys and The Byrds, Nicholas’ songs have found the right balance of warmth and grit. It was recorded and produced by Graham’s longtime collaborator Aaron Comeau (Skydiggers, Al Tuck) at his studio The Trailer. Not only has Graham Nicholas maintained an extensive and country crossing touring schedule, he has also shared the stage with the like of Ron Hynes, Catherine Maclellan, Old man Luedecke, Del Barber and Daniel Romano.
Opening Act: My Father’s Son
Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series
All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets: Limited Advance: $20, Regular: $25
*Advance tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show or we run out (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)
ROB SZABO
Rob Szabo is an award winning Singer-Songwriter, Producer & Musician. Rob has produced and co-written songs and recordings that have garnered: a 2013 Juno Award, 2017 & 2015 Juno Nominations, Producer of the Year Award at The 2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards, multiple Maple Blues Awards & multiple East Coast Music Award nominations. Rob’s tracks & co-writes have appeared in numerous films and TV series and been heard widely in Canada on CBC Radio. Rob has played thousands of shows in Canada and the US at festivals, theatres, clubs, house concerts and everything in between.
Rob Szabo Website
Rob Szabo Facebook
Rob Szabo Instagram
Rob Szabo Twitter
MY FATHER’S SON
My Father’s Son, an indie folk group with roots in London, ON and Montreal, QC, melds together intricate lyrics with the richness of simplified, acoustic sound. Singer/songwriter Mark Kulmala is joined by Paul Meadows on the recording of their first full length album ‘Heart of Wood’. Having played in varying bands, in a variety of genres, over the years this endeavour sees a paired down amalgamation of lived experiences, both personal and musical, poetically creating emotionally complex but subdued, reflective songs. An air of storytelling colours the music with sentimental and wholly relatable verses that immerse the audience in the beauty of shared experiences. My Father’s Son is currently recording their sophomore album in Mono Center, ON with Paul Pfisterer (The Beauties).
Opening Act: The Crew
Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series
All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets:Regular: $25
THE YOUNG NOVELISTS
When they first met, Graydon James and Laura Spink had no idea that they would be married one day — much less touring the world together as The Young Novelists. Since the band’s inception in 2009, they’ve played stages across the U.S. and Canada, released three full-length albums, won numerous awards and continuous praise for their unmatched, effortless harmonies. But for their new album in city & country, the Toronto-based band decided to travel out of the city and in to small-town Ontario in order to connect the two places. After years of firsthand experience combined with historical research, James and Spink wrote over 30 songs inspired by a dozen Canadian towns. From that set, in city & country was born — a collection of ten songs that tell the universal stories of both parallels while highlighting the differences, similarities, and everything in-between.
They both grew up in Ontario; Spink in Peterborough, James in Verona, a small eastern town with a population of a mere 1,800. They both moved to Waterloo for university, where they met via community theatre; but it wasn’t until James decided to refocus his career from drummer to frontman that they combined their talent musically. “I had written a bunch of songs and recorded them in my basement, mostly for posterity,” says James, “I asked Laura to sing harmony on some of the songs and it instantly had this magical vibe.” Shortly after James released his solo album Goodnight, Young Novelist (2009), he realized that in order to perform live, he needed to assemble a band to match the record’s full sound. After recruiting some musicians he had met over the years and touring the east coast as a six-piece, the band decided to stay together, becoming Graydon James & The Young Novelists. Between 2011 and 2012, they released two albums: live at dublin st. church (2011), and in the year you were born (2012). However, it became clear that Spink was taking on more lead vocal duties. By the time they recorded their next album, made us strangers (2015), it made the most sense to simply shorten their name to The Young Novelists.
While their upcoming album in city & country will technically be their fourth album, it is their third studio album and second under the current moniker. Their last record made us strangers landed them a Canadian Folk Music Award for New/Emerging Artist, a Vocal Group of the Year nomination, and reached top 20 on !earshot’s and Stingray Music’s (formerly Galaxie) folk charts. The same year, the band won the Grassy Hill Connecticut Folk Songwriting competition and James received the Ontario Art Council’s prestigious Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award. But 2016 was an even bigger year for the two — Spink quit her job as a scientist, they packed their things (and their five year old son Simon), and went on a massive North American tour. After over 100 shows, including a 10-week stint on the road, the pair returned to Toronto to start working on in city & country, drawing inspiration from their travels.
Set for release on May 4, 2018, The Young Novelists recorded in city & country with the help of JUNO-winning producer Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, Leonard Cohen, The Wooden Sky). Recorded at Bilerman’s Hotel2Tango studios in Montreal, the duo returns with their classic him-and-her vocals, with James playing acoustic guitar and Spink on percussion and vibraphone. For the album’s fullness, they enlisted the help of bassist Derrick Brady, drummer Rory Calexico, and guitarist John Law.
“It was a new experience – being away from home and recording,” Spink says, adding, “It was magical to be in a beautiful, new (to us) city, spending our time and creative energy in a great studio, working with fun and fantastic people who were equal parts talented and devoted to the project.”
The album opens with “Two Of A Kind” a sentimental ballad inspired by the town of Goderich; keyboardist Jeffrey Louch shines on the almost-love song that tells the tale of a woman trying to choose between two men. The album continues with the delicate, mellow “Back To The Hard Times,” but this time, focusing on Spink’s vocals, perfectly complemented by violinist Lana Tomlin (noted for her work with Canadian band Stars). The song is inspired by Ridgeway, a town on the shores of Lake Erie, and compares two very different kinds of sadness: the failure of an old amusement park and a friend’s relationship ending. “This sort of thing happens in lots of small towns – an industry is built up and torn down. We tried to combine aspects of the grandiose industrialist dreamer who started the Crystal Beach Amusement Park, and the small-town kids who tried their best and got their hearts broken there.” The album takes a leap on track 5 with the upbeat, energy-packed “Come Round Again”. Written about a Bonnie & Clyde-style heist in Halton Hills, the song’s adrenaline draws from a guitar-heavy intro and super catchy hook — it’s a challenge to not airdrum along to this one.
The title track, “City & Country”, ties the album together in more ways than one; listening wise, the track brings together the entire studio band (including cellist Justin Wright). Inspired by Toronto, Waterloo, and his hometown of Verona, James’ reminisces on crucial times and places in his life. “This is really a song about my experiences living in a major city and a small town, and the fact that I think there are more similarities than differences.” No matter where you’ve lived, the dichotomy that exists on in city & country is universal; it’s not just a memoir of the duo’s experiences or the histories of small towns, it’s about appreciating where you’ve been and where you’re at — and finding the good and bad that lies within both
The Young Novelists Website
The Young Novelists Facebook
The Young Novelists Twitter
The Young Novelists Instagram
THE CREW
The Crew is a folk/trad band from Ontario. Made up of multi-instrumentalists, this brother-sister group writes and performs songs full of heart and rhythm, the kind you can’t sit still to. They braid flavours of the east coast, power-house vocals, and a pulsing folk drive seamlessly to make their signature Crew sound.
Opening Act: Tim Moxam
Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series
All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets:Regular: $25
EVEN THE BIRD WAS FREE
Even the Bird Was Free is an rootsy blues duo combining award winning singer-songwriter Karen Morand and internationally renowned bluesman, Hal Brolund (aka Manitoba Hal). In their energetic acoustic show, the two infuse their solid songwriting with back porch grit, tasty arrangements and rich gospel harmonies.
Before combining their efforts, Brolund and Morand have carved out a reputation in the independent music world, enjoying Canadian airplay on CBC, and campus radio as well as US and European play.
On stage, with an assortment of instruments in hand the long time friends have an easy rapport like brother and sister . Singing and clapping along are encouraged as they draw the audience into the musical narrative. Their joyful energy is infectious.
Even the Bird was Free Website
Even the Bird was Free Facebook
Even the Bird was Free Twitter
Even the Bird was Free Instagram
TIM MOXAM
Tim Moxam’s debut album, Soft Summer, garnered accolades from Exclaim, CBC, Canadian Beats, Ride The Tempo, Top 100 Canadian, Live In Limbo, SiriusXM, Grid City Magazine, The Bluegrass Situation & Global News to name a few. He has shared the stage with Coeur de Pirate, Donovan Woods, The Strumbellas, and toured Australia with Liz Stringer.
Hailed as ‘one to watch’ by CBC Music Tim Moxam has set the release date for his sophomore album, Marlborough Hall, due out March 29th on Roaring Girl Records. The album, produced by Chris Stringer (Megan Bonnell, Timber Timbre, The Wooden Sky) includes the new single “Honesty”, as well as the previously released “Rich Man“. Tim will head to Montreal later this week for Folk Alliance International and then will support the album with a handful of Ontario dates this spring. Further details can be found at www.timmoxam.com.
Opening Act: John Muirhead
Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series
All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets:Regular: $25
DYLAN MENZIE
The fact that PEI’s Dylan Menzie his own harshest critic is simultaneously a struggle and the very trait that’s propelled him up the ranks of the Canadian music scene, and considering all he’s accomplished in a relatively short amount of time, it’s clear that stagnation just isn’t his strong suit.
With a sprawling vocal range and compelling approach to composition, Menzie made an indelible mark in the talent-rich Atlantic Canadian music market with his debut EP, Heather Avenue, in 2013. Its success spurred high-profile performances throughout the Maritimes, including opening slots for City & Colour and Ron Sexsmith.
In 2016, Menzie was a finalist in CBC’s annual Searchlight competition on the back of his breakout single, “Kenya,” which then spent two weeks at number one on CBC Radio 2’s Top 20 leading up to the release of his 2016 album Adolescent Nature.
Drawing clear influence from the likes of My Morning Jacket, Fleet Foxes, Radiohead, and Joel Plaskett without being derivative of any one, the quality of these songs heavily belies the young artist’s age.
Since Adolescent Nature’s release, Menzie has been in even higher demand, earning one of two spots in the inaugural East Meets West collaboration between the ECMAs and BreakOutWest as well as slots at prestigious events like the Edmonton Folk Festival, Canadian Music Week, Folk Alliance International, and others.
But even as excitement behind his breakthrough continues to mount, Menzie already has his sights set on what’s next, and if he continues on his current trajectory of each new song, each new release eclipsing its predecessor, he’ll soon be impossible to ignore.
Everybody has an opinion – especially when it comes to music – but few are as critical as Dylan Menzie, and that’s worked out for him pretty well so far.
Dylan Menzie Website
Dylan Menzie Facebook
Dylan Menzie Twitter
Dylan Menzie Instagram
JOHN MUIRHEAD
With stories and songs that kindle late-night Canadian campfires, John Muirhead’s heartfelt indie-folk sound will move you in more ways than one. From fingerpicked folk confessionals to upbeat roots-rock jams, John’s eclectic song collection reflects the highs and lows of love, ambition, and being a young travelling musician. While he is based in London, ON, John is a a troubadour by nature and has played in living rooms, theatres, moving trains, and folk festival stages across Canada.
With influences including Joel Plaskett, Frank Turner, The Weakerthans, and Julien Baker, John’s primary goal is to change the lives of listeners the way music has changed his. In the two years since the release of his debut EP Yesterday’s Smile, John has been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award, given an honourable mention in the Canadian Songwriting Competition, graced the stages of legendary festivals including The Winnipeg Folk Festival and Home County Music and Arts Festival, and released a follow-up EP, Foundational.
On November 9th 2018, John released a brand new single titled I Can Sleep Anywhere, an appreciate, eyes-wide-open ode to roughing it on the road as an indie musician. The song was met by positive reviews by critics and featured on a variety of CBC programs, as well as SiriusXM and community radio across Canada. In February 2019 John will embark on the “Song Circle” Tour with fellow London based act Ben Heffernan with the goal of collaborating with local artists from across the country in songwriter’s circles as well as showcasing at Folk Alliance International in Montreal. This will be followed by tours of the West coast and East coast of Canada
John Muirhead Website
John Muirhead Facebook
John Muirhead Twitter
John Muirhead Instagram
Harmony B’s and Friends
A Tribute to the Batterman Orchestra
Come join us for an afternoon of storytelling and music and learn the history of the Batterman Orchestra and Harmony B’s.
RSVP ONLY. There will be no tickets at the door.
Limit 100 people.
Pay What You Can at the door
Doors Open 2pm, Music at 2:30pm
Opening Act: Nick Nace
Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series
All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets:Regular: $25
SAFE AS HOUSES
Fresh off the release of their critically acclaimed 3rd studio album, Lucky Lucky, Safe As Houses continues to push boundaries in the folk world with their genre-splicing alternative-folk sound, infused with flecks of pop and rock. Armed with a collection of youth-driven anthems, this kinetic quintet has amassed a cult following, spiraling out from their hometown of Kitchener, ON, where bandmates Elliot Anton (guitar, vocals) and Bensen Carter (cello, bass, vocals), along with brothers Andrew Laughton (guitar, vocals) and Thomas Laughton (drums, vocals), laid the band’s monumental foundation. Chasing a more expansive sound, Safe As Houses enlisted Lauren Taylor (violin, vocals) to round out their signature string-centric arrangements and soften the edges of their soul-stirring harmonies.
Since their debut on the music scene in 2014 with their freshman album, The Fall of a Sparrow, and further fuelled by their follow-up releases, Hurricane (2016), and Lucky Lucky (2018), audiences and critics alike have celebrated their undeniable musical aptitude, praising their tight performances and likening them to legendary artists: “Their music follows in the footsteps of Mumford & Sons with orchestral arrangements and big builds…will leave you with goosebumps”-BAM Productions.
On the heels of their most recent release, Safe As Houses inspires a new generation of listeners with their fresh, energetic take on the genre, while dabbling in whimsy and nostalgia to satisfy even the most seasoned of folk enthusiasts – “If ever there was a record that could reach several generations of roots fans all at once, this might be it”-Roots Music Canada.
With the world at their feet, 2019 promises to be a definitive year for the young band with the release of their upcoming album, Lucky Lucky Deluxe.
Safe as Houses Website
Safe as Houses Facebook
Safe as Houses Twitter
Safe as Houses Instagram
NICK NACE
The Canadian born Nick Nace is a “highly-respected wordsmith among East Nashville’s Americana scene” (-American Songwriter). He was one half of the NYC based folk duo A Brief View of the Hudson (Best Folk Duo – NY Press) for over a decade, recording two albums and composing the soundtrack for Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film! which premiered at SXSW.
In 2015 he moved to Nashville and has since toured Ireland (Whelans, The Ruby Sessions), the U.S. and Canada, was selected to perform at the Mississippi Songwriter Festival, The Druid City Songwriter Festival, The Dripping Springs Songwriter Festival, Panama City Songwriter Festival and is a winner of the gulf coast’s biggest songwriting competition The Gulf Coast Songwriter Shootout (judged by Travis Meadows).
Last summer he toured the Southeast with Nashville songwriters Jon Latham & Darrin Bradbury and opened for Texas troubadour Hayes Carll. He will be releasing his debut solo album in 2019.