JILL BARBER

Juno-nominated Jill Barber has become one of Canada's most renowned singer songwriters, earning praise from her peers and critics alike, endearing herself to thousands of fans with her charming performances and tireless work ethic. Halifax based Jill, whose videos for ‘Hard Line’ and ‘Don't Go Easy’ both charted at MuchMoreMusic and Bravo, is a star in the making.

ELLIOTT BROOD

Toronto-based Elliott Brood play dark, gritty folk and howling bluegrass music built around whiskey-drenched vocals and lyrics evoking images of love, loss and murder. In their soul-thumping songs, banjo keeps time to a strange and chunky angular stomp, with Kentucky-hardcore acoustic guitar and somber, achingly confessional vocal harmonies.

NDIDI ONUKWULU

BC born/Toronto based Ndidi Onukwulu has one of those voices that you can't forget. Whether she's out on the down-low with a melancholy moan, or chasing hellhounds with a strident tone, it's a voice that can stop you in your tracks. More than one knowledgeable listener has heard echoes of Billy Holiday's hue around the edges of her bluesy, seductive purr.

MALAJUBE

Malajube is a pop-rock quartet who have literally shaken the independent rock scene ever since the release of their first opus. With sounds oscillating between rock, punk and bubble gum pop, Malajube distinguish themselves with intelligent, meticulous texts in French, abrasive guitars, virulent bass, nervous keyboards and raging drums. Result: refreshing and explosive pop, representative of the ardor that characterizes the band.

MUSHFIQ ENSEMBLE

The Mushfiq Ensemble are mesmerizing in performance: powerful vocals, rich sonic textures and intricate rhythms performed on tabla, violin, tanpura and harmonium. Singing in a dozen languages, they play Afghani and Indian traditional folk, devotional songs, audience clap-along qawwalis and more.

SHANE PHILIP

Shane Philip cleverly melds touches of reggae, ska, folk, funk and rock in his musical tapestry while injecting the sonic wonders of the hauntingly melodic didgeridoo. Shane’s music is completely different yet completely compelling and it embodies Canada’s West Coast culture. It’s not often artists today are daring enough to truly follow their raw creative impulses to the core, but Shane Philip obviously has. He’s a one-man show weaving sounds and inspiring audiences everywhere.

STATE OF THE ART

Touring in the past mainly as a cover band, Fort Smith’s State of The Art has compiled an impressive and diverse list of interpretations they have truly made their own. Their combination of original and cover material serves as a compelling showcase for the pure tightness and raw grit of the band. Known as a rugged, no nonsense four piece band, they subscribe to the theory that quality musicianship knows no boundaries in terms of labels or genres.

FOUR LEAF CLOVER

Four Leaf Clover originated when one dedicated teacher took a group of gifted young band students from St. Patrick’s High School and formed their very own jazz band. Playing a range of music, including classics like Pink Floyd that belie the age of the majority of band members, and original compositions written teacher Scott Roos, Four Leaf Clover are ready to perform on their hometown stage at Folk on the Rocks.

SHEA ALAIN

A guitar, a voice, and a heart; Shea Alain’s music is personal, simple, and sensitive. His minimalist sound has an easy listening vibe with little complexities; having faith in the music allows Shea to lay bare a hauntingly emotional impact. After winning last year’s Rock the Folks, hometown Shea returns to the Folk on the Rocks stage.

SANTA LUCIA LFR

Santa Lucia LFR is a seven-piece member band that evokes the early days of Latin Funk while adding their own blend of funk and rock with an addictive combination of Nuyorican boogaloo, West Coast style funk, and the ever present Cuban grooves. This band overwhelms the stage with monstrous horns and bass, polyrhythmic beats, funky breaks, and furious lyrics in English and Spanish. They're like a multiethnic gathering of friends who share one another's music - and invite the audience to do the same.

PLANTS AND ANIMALS

Rooted in Montreal, Plants and Animals bat out an instrumental menagerie of song-like folk-beasts; the sprawling wilderness of their sound can cause you to become lost in the music. Some call it post-classic-rock. Some call it folk-prog. Those who knew better don’t call it anything at all.

UZUME TAIKO

Taiko has held a centuries-old place in Japanese culture, and it is from the power and athleticism of traditional drumming techniques that Uzume Taiko draws its inspiration. Using a diverse collection of percussive and melodic instruments as well as taiko drums, Uzume has developed a dynamic fusion of old and new styles of drumming - bringing a vibrant contemporary sensibility to an ancient art.

TAMBURA RASA

Tambura Rasa brings you on a musical journey; From the richness of India and sensual rhythms and dance of the Middle East, to upbeat sounds of West Africa, joyous dance music of the Balkans and fiery Flamenco of Spain (featuring a Flamenco dancer), their signature blend of Gypsy Violin, Flamenco Guitar, African percussion, Balcan, and Middle Eastern rhythms, is more than just world music. Coming from Vancouver, Tambura Rasa’s music is positively global in reach.

TAQRALIK PARTRIDGE

Taqralik Partridge is a spoken word performer, throat singer and writer from Kujjuaq, Nunavik, (Nothern Quebec). Now living in Montreal, she has developed a unique style that is grounded in traditional Inuit storytelling and blended with gritty urban speak to tell contemporary stories that evoke the challenges of being Inuit in modern Canadian society.

AAJU PETER

Aaju Peter has become a mother, seamstress, artist, attended Inuit Language and Culture courses, completed law school and is an ardent supporter of the Inuit way of life. Born in Greenland, Aaju has just released her first CD “The Third Age” which includes a poem written and performed by a leading Canadian author and literary figure, Margaret Atwood.

MIKE FORD

Juno nominated artist Mike Ford, previously of the eccentric folk pop band Moxy Früvous, comes to Folk on the Rocks with multiple hats. Toronto based Ford, a dedicated enthusiast of Canadian history, incorporates this passion in his educational sets directed at children and students. Ford will also perform as co-emcee at this years festival.

ALEX MAHÉ

Alex Mahé accompanies himself on the guitar and, for over two decades in both French and English, has traveled the country bringing songs, music and laughter to family audiences. Equipped with a skill of presenting his art so his young spectators can appreciate what they see and hear, this warm showman’s emphasis is on audience participation whose show is not to be missed.

MATHEW NUQINGAQ

Iqaluit’s Mathew Nuqingaq brings his Inuit culture to the world through the beat of his drum. Fusing together regional dances with traditional drumming styles, Mathew enjoys exploring the North through his drum. Also an accomplished visual artist, Mathew is a leader in the arts community of Nunavut, where he holds the distinction of having co-designed and created the mace for the territory's new Legislature.

THE GREEN FOOLS

The Green Fools are Calgary-based comedians and performers extraordinaire. Their colourful characters are not only large in spirit – they’re large in person too! The Fools perform on stilts, bringing a whole new perspective to physical theatre. Ranging from graceful to rolling on the floor laughing out loud, the Green Fools will be sure to charm you.

STEPHEN KAKFWI

Stephen Kakfwi's retirement from politics as Premier of the Northwest Territories has allowed him follow his dream of becoming a musician. A devoted fan of Bob Dylan (he once met Dylan backstage at a concert in Calgary)Stephen Kakfwi is a true storyteller. He writes of his own experience as a residential school survivor, and tells the stories of his Dene people. He has been nominated for an aboriginal music award, and continues to write songs and music as a way to relax, heal and discover.

K'ASHO GOT'INE DRUMMERS

ANTHONY FOLIOT

Anthony Foliot is a long time Yellowknifer and is an integral part of the city’s ‘local colour’. This will be his first time on the Folk on the Rocks main stage and he’s psyched!

THE DAWGWOODS

It’s a mixture of sound born out of skill, speed, luck, and of course – good ol’ fashioned Dawgwood family love. The savory sounds of the mandolin, ukulele and rhythm guitars blended with the punch and kick of rock-n-roll’s lead guitar, bass and drums.
The Dawgwoods consistently impress their audiences with a distinctive form of tongue in cheek and politically motivated songwriting. This, along with a thrilling stage show is what keeps the dance floor hoppin’and the audience boppin’all night long.

BRYCE YOUNG

Bryce Young is an up and coming young Gwich’in musician who was born and raised in Fort Smith, NT. Encouraged by his parents, Bryce is pursuing his musical passions, his cultural identity and his education. Bryce has been fortunate to work with celebrated musicians such as Daniel Bolshoy, Juan Martin and Pat Braeden. It is Bryce’s future aspiration to work towards a career within the music industry – whether that may be in the area of performing, composing or producing music.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE

Folk on the rocks has planned a special performance for this year! Details will be announced.

THE SKINNYS

Spawned in the frozen wasteland of North America, The Skinnys started out as a 78 piece ensemble. Due to harsh climates and extended journeys, they became four (only the strong survive!). They continue to roll through civilization pillaging and offending locals with their tales of meat and hippie slaying. They will be coming to your town soon.

RICHARD VAN CAMP

Richard Van Camp is a proud member of the Dogrib (Tlicho) Nation from Fort Smith, NWT, Canada. An award winning storyteller and author, his poems, short stories and novellas have been published in anthologies and journals since 1992.