Melissa Bandura

Melissa Bandura is a Vancouver-based Independent Folk musician and multi-instrumentalist. Having discovered the violin at the age of four, becoming a student of both classical and folk traditions, and subsequently learning guitar, flute, viola, mandolin and banjo, Melissa’s songs are skillfully written and uniquely orchestral.
Adding to the instrumentation of her songs, Melissa’s softly powerful, haunting vocals thread their way through her diverse range of flowing melodies, refreshing harmonies, eccentric chord changes and unique rhythmic phrasing.

Building on the folk-roots sounds and ideas established with her previous band, Lily Come Down, Melissa crosses into slightly darker territory with the songs that will grace her upcoming album, Dark Dreams.

A collaborator at heart, Melissa has worked closely with Shane Koyczan, CR Avery, T. Nile, Carolina Loveless, Kent McAlister and the Colorifics. Additionally, she scored the award-winning film Let No One Put Asunder and the world-touring dance film Drive, as well as songwriting for The Underground Circus and multiple Vancouver and Seattle dance performances.

www.melissabandura.com

Good for Grapes

Good For Grapes formed in September of 2010, after a group of friends took a trip to Victoria, BC for some modest busking. Since the moment they stepped onto the ferry, they were an attraction. Drawing unexpected crowds, naturally this young and aspiring band took form; an original and talented five piece group, with an array of harmonizing voices and instruments. Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, this folk / alternative act has been gaining momentum ever since they stepped into the music scene. Their live stage performance in this time has evolved into an incredibly active, folk stomping, and inviting energy; always resulting in an extremely enthusiastic and involved audience. Beginning by supporting charities and foundations, their unique folk sound has been accepted into a large variety of venues. Through this, they have gained a loyal fan base which grows at every turn.

www.goodforgrapes.com

Elaine Ryan

Born in Waterford Ireland, Ryan now moves between the music communities in Vancouver, BC where she was raised and Maui, Hawaii and has been fortunate enough to get the chance to perform with Pat Simmons of the Doubie Brothers, as well as at Mick Fleetwood’s new venue, Fleetwods, in Lahaina.

www.elaineryan.ca

David Blair Band

David Blair’s career as a pop singer/songwriter can be summed up thus far with a string of awards and accolades and the future will only bring more. He found his first break after being chosen as a finalist for the Demo Listen Contest put on by Vancouver radio station, 99.3 The Fox. The result of which saw three of David’s songs placed on a compilation album, local radio airplay and opening slots for Nickelback as well as The Barstool Prophets.

David is a multi-instrumentalist and his classical training in piano gives David’s songs rich musical layers. He joined his first band at the age of 17 and since then, he has played in several bands, but opted to go out on his own, releasing his solo EP “Songs of Love and Introspection” in 2006, which won several song writing awards, and not one but three honourable mentions from Billboard’s World Song writing Competition.

www.davidblairsongs.com

Devon Coyote

Devon Coyote, born Devon Bjarnason in Kelowna BC, is a talented singer/songwriter getting nationwide attention for his energetic foot stomping live performances. His unique style and sound infused of rock, blues, folk and swinging country comes thru brilliantly in his 2011 album "Blue, Black & Grey."

2012 will have Devon Coyote showcasing his compelling musical styles to festivals all of all sizes and audiences of all genres. He will be supporting such acts as The Sheepdogs, Awolnation and The Steadies.

www.devoncoyote.com

Benny Walker with Tom Richardson

Offering an effortless blend of soul, blues, reggae and acoustic folk, indigenous performer Benny Walker is without doubt one of Australia’s most promising new talents. His intimate, eloquent song-writing is complemented by a rich and soulful voice which tells of the trouble, strife and wonder of everyday life. Benny has performed at some of the countries finest festivals including Derby Boab Festival in July 2011, Woodford Folk festival 2010/11 and has been invited back to perform The Dreaming as part of Woodford 20111/12. Benny has also recently been nominated for a Deadly Award 2011.

www.bennywalkermusic.com

Tom Richardson

If Bob Marley surfed his way across to Mississippi, stopped in for a cup of tea with the devil before flying over to Fiji for choir practice, you would be left with something that resembled Tom Richardson.  While still in his early twenties, having already shared the stage with the likes of Cold Chisel, Joe Bonamassa (USA), The Waifs and You Am I, there are very few Australian festival stages on which Tom hasn’t performed. He also received the highest number of nominations at the Australian Blues Music Awards and was a finalist in the Vanda & Young Songwriting competition, Australian Songwriting competition and APRA professional development awards. 

www.tomrichardsonproject.com

Danielle Savage & The Miscreants - Rock, indie, folk, jazz, adaptogenic folk, blues, soul, r&b, pop

Singer-songwriter Danielle Savage has been traveling & playing music for a decade as a busker, songwriter, lyricist, and performer/ front-person. She has appeared on several T.V and radio stations, such as Santa Barbara Public Television, Radio WWOZ New Orleans, and Kulaks Woodshed Hollywood, as well as performed at a myriad of other venues, doing so with love.
Her songs reflect her interest in variety--- many modes of living, exposure to many locations and persons, and even morphing ideals have become a part of the music that emerges from her in it's many genres. She is now joined by Ryan Schick (keyboards), Lee Holland (upright bass), and Darren Filipenko (percussion), to sing you some anecdotes, ideas, and create a soundscape that ebbs and flows between goofy and noteworthy, dance-able and sit-able, subtle and reveling.

JJ Shiplett - Country/Rock/Folk

“I’ll keep singing on…until this well runs dry or this fire dies” You can sum up JJ Shiplett’s world with the line above (taken from his song Bluejay Highway). A songwriter in every situation and a dedicated player, JJ’s passion for quality music and sincere songs, is only matched by his goal to get everyone dancing. It’s CCR to Ryan Adams to the The Boss. Introducing JJ Shiplett.

Recently he was the recipient of Rawlco Radio’s 10k20 Grant Program in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta. Following the grant, he recorded his first full length album which will be released April 17th, 2012. Recorded at Five Acres Studios in Aldergrove, B.C. with the help of producer Ryan Mcallister (Dakona, Cowboys and Indians, Maverick Records), the album showcases heartfelt moments full of life experience, right alongside bursts of boisterous feel-good rock and roll. Sometime this spring/summer, JJ Shiplett will be coming to a Canadian city near you to play some new tunes from the album. Stayed tuned for more details.

www.jjshiplettmusic.com

The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer

The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer is more like a sweaty fling between a sack full of harmonicas, a mess of foot percussion, and a very greasy Telecaster. Shawn Hall and Matthew Rogers say they’re making blues for a changing world, but a fan put it even better: this is ‘blues that gets you in the crotch.’

It’s also blues that gets rear-ends on the dance floor, while earning praise for its ‘decades-deep blues style’ (Scott Brown, What’s up Yukon). Combining the raw swagger of bands like The Black Keys and The White Stripes with a deep love for the roots of the genre, HAM reminds us that this kind of music was always supposed to talk to our nether regions. And if a lot of the blues made today seems a little limp, HAM finds its answer in the innovation that was at the heart of greats like Robert Johnson, Blind Willlie McTell and Muddy Waters. The duo has played festivals all over Western Canada, including The Beaumont Blues Fest, The Powell River Blues Festival, and The Gastown Blues and Chilli Festival. Along the way, they’ve shared the stage with some of the world’s finest blues acts, including Jim Byrnes, Dick Dale and MonkeyJunk.

www.harpoonistaxemurderer.com