Opening Act: Carter and Ben
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)
The Redhill Valleys
The Redhill Valleys are an original 3-piece Folk/Rock group from Hamilton, Ontario. Rooted by their influences in southern rock, acoustic Americana and soul, the newly formed trio are forging a musical path all their own. The collaboration of guitarist Danielle Beaudin, bassist Chelsea McWilliams and drummer Tim Allard is built upon a common dedication to the craft of songwriting, unifying the poetic ease of their lyrics with unforgettable melodies, harmonies and guitar riffs.
The path to now began when bassist Chelsea McWilliams and guitarist Danielle Beaudin hit the open road for Nashville, Tennessee. They collaborated on their newly developed material and it wasn’t long before the pair found their rhythm. Drummer Tim Allard joined shortly after their return from the Music City, and it became undeniable that something unique was under way as their individual sounds came together as one. They didn’t know it yet, but this was the beginning of The Redhill Valleys.
The trio dug their heels in over the following year, polishing their live material and playing the local circuit. Songs worthy of a full-length album were quickly coming to life, and a curious hum among the Hamilton music scene was building around their folk, roots, and rock inspired sound. Their collaborative influences brought catchy country choruses, as heard on their new single titled “Wrong Way Turns Out Right”, a Canadiana inspired folk ballad called “Parry Sound”, and unapologetic toe-tappin’ rock via tunes such as “You Can’t Be Alone” and “Ragged and Run Down”. Their set-list crossed genres and touched on the hearts of true music lovers.
After a successful fundraiser, the group was able to raise money to begin the recording process. Their debut album was recorded at Westmoreland Recording Studios in Hamilton, Ontario with producer Carl Jennings. The 12-tracks feature McWilliams, Beaudin and Allard trading off lead vocals, which leads the listener on a multifaceted and deeply rich journey. In the studio, the trio honed in on their respected and multi-instrumental abilities to fine tune and translate the energy of their live performances into the record. With the help of producer Jennings, their sound became distinct and the songs unforgettable.
Released on April 26th 2016, the album is now available for purchase via The Redhill Valleys store and download on iTunes and Bandcamp, and streaming on SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Music and more!
Redhill Valleys Website
Redhill Valleys Facebook
Redhill Valleys Twitter
Redhill Valleys Instagram
Carter and Ben
This duo is known to captivate their audiences with their dexterity, sincerity, and organic playing style. They take the defining aspects of blues and folk and approach them from different angles resulting in a fresh interpretation of two great genres. Their songwriting has been described as thoughtful, soulful, engaging.
In August of 2016, Carter Rolland and Ben Turcotte released their debut album “Basement Folk”.
Opening Act: Doris Folkens
Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series
**Please note this is a Friday concert (Friday June 1)**
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)
OVER THE MOON
Canadian roots/swing duo Over The Moon‘s Suzanne Levesque and Craig Bignell are awarding multi-instrumentalists/vocalists that met, fell in love, got married and discovered their voices blend so well together that people often tear up upon hearing them sing.
Living on a ranch in the foothills of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, it’s inevitable there will be a strong sense of place- and the rhythms of the land when you start to make music. When the couple released their debut album, the resonances were there for all to hear. reflecting the pulse of life, lived in a territory that is both dirt-hard rugged and beautiful.
Their music is a wild ride from 40’s sounding western swing and Appalachian old-time, to cowboy blues. Simple and sweet, all of their material has a common thread that speaks of the Canadian west and on their UK release, reviews were glowing. American Roots UK saying it was “Exceptional” and Country Music People adding “There’s so much to enjoy here.” The editor of Maverick Magazine told readers “You will love this” Elmore Magazine, New York “We knew we were on to something special”
Over the Moon Website
Over the Moon Facebook
Over the Moon Twitter
Over the Moon YouTube
DORIS FOLKENS
Born in Burlington, Ontario, Doris Folkens grew up playing a piano which survived the bombing of her grandmother’s house in Hamburg during WW2. She began playing guitar- a more portable instrument- during university. After graduating and settling into a health care career, she went on to study songwriting with Berklee College of Music, where she strengthened her skills at writing songs about family and community.
Her debut, old-time inspired album is produced by Toronto’s 7x Canadian Folk Music Award winning mandolinist, Andrew Collins, and arrives Spring 2018. Her music is already receiving recognition from the Ontario music scene- she’s the 2017 recipient of Folk Music Ontario’s “Songs from the Heart- Humorous” Award. A rare singer/songwriter, the vibrant narratives of her folk songs will evoke nostalgia for who you are and where you came from.
Doris Folkens Website
Doris Folkens Facebook
Doris Folkens Instagram
Doris Folkens YouTube
Opening Act: Dana Sipos
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)
DURHAM COUNTY POETS
The Durham County Poets are a lively and soulful group, who write and perform an eclectic blend of blues, folk and rock, with tinges of country, gospel and swing tossed in for good measure.
They are five seasoned musicians, all of whom are songwriters, who work together individually and collaboratively in composing their music. Delving into a variety of styles and genres, their musical influences include a broad range of artists. From The Band to Dire Straits, Leon Redbone to James Taylor and Neil Young, they have managed to put it all together to create their own musical style. The obvious joie de vivre expressed while performing together is reflected in the good-time feel that the band creates, which has been captivating their audiences consistently since their inception 6 years ago.
Fronted by Kevin Harvey, a self proclaimed blues crooner on lead vocals, The Durham County Poets also feature David Whyte on electric and acoustic guitars and vocals, Neil Elsmore on acoustic guitar and vocals, Carl Rufh on double bass and vocals and Rob Couture (formerly of The Echo Hunters) on drums and percussion.
Popular at music festivals and venues across eastern Canada, the band is branching more and more into the U.S. market, with more bookings up-coming in 2018.
DANA SIPOS
Dana Sipos inhabited the far north before going nomad and her captivatingly nuanced songs are filled with surrealism and a wild wind. She tours by bicycle, tall ship, canoe and train. Her last album, Roll Up the Night Sky, received critical acclaim and was nominated for a 2015 Canadian Folk Music Award in the Pushing the Boundaries category. Recorded with experimental Toronto producer Sandro Perri, she’ll release a new album, Trick of the Light, in early 2018.
Dana Sipos Website
Dana Sipos Facebook
Dana Sipos Instagram
Dana Sipos Twitter
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.
Opening Act: Will Melville
Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series
All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets:Regular: $25
JACK PINE AND THE FIRE
Jack Pine and The Fire is “driving”, “masterful”, “dynamic”, and all acoustic – upright bass, Dobro, Mandolin, and Drums – A gritty alt-folk-Canadiana string band with 5 heavy right hands, haunting harmonies, and all the feels. Nominated at the 2019 JUNOs and the 2018 Canadian Folk Music Awards, their newest album Left To Our Own Devices explores all our relationships – with ourselves, with each other, and with the earth. Jack hollers and howls like a lone wolf, spitting wry words and tall tales, while strumming his mandolin furiously, then softly. His sings songs of lost souls and forgotten truths, with lyricism that blends vivid and powerful imagery with quirky wordplay, dark humour, and biting social commentary.
Jack Pine and the Fire Website
Jack Pine and the Fire Facebook
Jack Pine and the Fire Twitter
Jack Pine and the Fire Instagram
WILL MELVILLE
Will Melville is Toronto-based singer, multi-instrumentalist, writer, and music teacher. Will started learning classical violin at the age of 10, and went on to play in the McMaster University Chamber Orchestra. He’s been writing songs, singing, and playing guitar since he was a teenager in his band Dr. Love and the Love Brigade.Over the years he has had the privilege to work with and learn from esteemed Canadian musicians including Dave Clark (Rheostatics), and Lewis Melville (Skydiggers, Banjo Mechanics). His songs are lyric and melody-driven in the world of roots, folk and country. You can catch will performing as solo act, singing with Toronto group Moonlight Flood, yodelling and playing anything with strings with the eclectic & enthusiastic Cilantro Collective, and performing with various other acts around Toronto. Also check out his work with the experimental Andy Krangus Collaborative.