2011 Artists

FolkWest welcomes an array of local, national and international artists to the festival!

The 2011 line-up consists of:

RON SEXSMITH

Recently shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris prize, Ron Sexsmith is Canada’s preeminent singer songwriter. Covered by the likes of  K.D. Lang, Micheal Buble and Feist, Ron’s concerts are intimate heart warming affairs where the writers depth and sensitivity to the human heart are impeccably supported by his guitar playing and soaring melodic vocals.

BARNEY BENTALL

Known to many from his gold and platinum recordings with Legendary Hearts, Barney Bentall has a well deserved reputation for honest writing and down home roots rock. Still a rocker at heart, Barney’s work with his Grand Caribou Opry has also cemented him as a true icon of Canadian folk and country music in akin to Tom Russel and Ian Tyson.

JOY KILLS SORROW

Formed under the banner “a modern American string band,” Joy Kills Sorrow exploded out of Boston’s thriving folk music scene with it’s bold new brand of acoustic music. Original writing, prodigious talent and visionary artistic direction make JKS a leading voice in North American string band music.

THE BILLS

The Bills are Victoria’s longest running and most influential folk band. Featuring a stacked line up of some of Canada’s greatest instrumentalists, The Bills have forged a style all their own drawing on a broad range of folk traditions from Europe and the Americas.

MARK ATKINSON QUARTET

Marc Atkinson is an instrumentalist of exceptional depth and diversity.  From his early days with ‘The Loose Gypsy’s’ to international success with ‘The Bills’ and ‘The Marc Atkinson Trio’ Marc seamlessly fuses Gypsy Swing with roots influences and rock and roll. A tireless innovator, Marc unveiled his most daring project to date ‘The Marc Atkinson Quartet’ earlier this year, featuring Adrian Dolan, Kelby MacNayr and Joey Smith.

DANIEL LAPP

Dan Lapp’s impressive career as a solo artist and accompanist is matched by his incredible contribution to the capital region as an educator and choir leader. A ground breaking innovator and traditional encyclopedia, Dan’s virtuosity on fiddle, trumpet and voice is well know to Victoria audiences.

RUTH MOODY

Ruth Moody has the voice of an angel.  As a founding member of The Wailin’ Jenny’s’  and with the  release of  her first solo CD ‘The Garden’ she has cemented her reputation as one of Canada’s greatest songwriters and if that’s not enough she is also proficient on Banjo, Piano, Guitar and Bohran. Some performers have it all, Ruth Moody is one of them.

CR AVERY

Outlaw Hip-Hop Harmonica Player, Beatbox Poet, Punk Piano Player, String Quartet Raconteur, Rock & Roll Matador, Playwright. You get the idea. But it’s CR Avery’s writing and musicality that  impressively trump his genre mashing innovation. CR will be joined by the roots rockin’ sounds of ‘The Special Interest Group’

FISH & BIRD

Everyone’s favorite Canadian alt-folk/art-rock band is back in Victoria for FolkWest. Fish & Bird have been earning a well deserved reputation as great writers, players and innovators touring relentlessly and recording three incredible albums since 2007.

BUČAN BUČAN

Bučan Bučan is a gypsy fabulous ensemble of musicians, playing loosely off Eastern European Gypsy brass band traditions. Neither a Klezmer nor “Oom-Pah” band, Bučan Bučan captures the ethnic essence of this traditional Eastern European Gypsy music and transforms it into a crazy, loud and boisterous party; filled with many instruments, theatrics, mustaches, fishnets and fur!

ART NAPOLEON

Raised by Cree speaking grandparents in the remote northern woodlands Art napoleon can skin a moose with a pocket knife but he is also know as an underground troubadour whose words and music bridge cultures. Whether he is telling a story or singing about a life of mystical experiences, he manages to be both irreverent and deeply spiritual.

SALISH DANCERS

Hailing from the Esquimalt Nation ‘The Salish Dancers’ are one of Victoria’s greatest performing arts groups. Traditional dress, instrumentation, vocals and dance styles display the incredible virtuosity and passion of the Coast Salish people.

O’MALLY

Born from the farms of British Columbia’s gulf islands, O’mally is traditional roots music from home.  Her debut album “Speck” received critical acclaim including top 3 on the national roots charts for 6 weeks, and her sweet vocals and clawhammer banjo remind you of the like of Gillian Welch.

MARLEY DAEMON

With the release of her stunning debut album “Heart Song” Marley Daemon displayed fascinating sense of melodic construction along with an adventurous harmonies and forms and a delectable folk-pop sensibility.

THE SWEET LOWDOWN

Drawn together by a mutual passion for old-time groove, driving tunes, sweet harmonies and well-wrought songs, The Sweet Lowdown blend original songwriting with old-time roots music as they lay it down, tear it up and sing out together to create a sound that is unique and timeless.

BALKAN BABES

The repertoire for Balkan Women’s Choirs is nothing short of outstanding. Combine that  with a seasoned group of incredible vocalists that have been working together for almost a decade and you get the Balkan Babes.

OLIVER SWAIN’S BIG MACHINE

Fitting somewhere in the category of Scifi-Chamber-Folk-Rock-Odyssey-Grass, Oliver Swain’s BIG MACHINE will take you on a journey to the center of the earth with stunning musicianship and vocals, proven by much critical acclaim.

YIDDISH COLUMBIA STATE ORCHESTRA

Under the steady leadership of Marion Seigle, the YCSO has brought the tears, laughter, vibrance and virtuosity of klezmer music to life in Victoria since 1998.  A sure bet for a dancing good time.

MARTIN NOLAN, PIERRE SCHRYER & ADAM DOBRES

Irish born Uilleann piper Martin Nolan, Franco-Ontarian fiddler Pierre Schryer and Victoria’s own Guitarist extraordinaire Adam Dobres are three giants of traditional music who have won too many awards and accolades to list and inspired audiences around the world.

RICK SCOTT (Childrens Entertainment)

Rick Scott is an award winning singer, songwriter and actor who combines music and laughter in lively, participatory concerts for all ages. He is Canada’s leading proponent of the Appalachian mountain dulcimer, known by kids around the world as ‘The Electric Snowshoe.’ Over 35 years he has released 17 albums and performed his lively, original music in nine countries. His gift for combining wacky humour and poignant human commentary has earned him a devoted following from four generations around the world.

PEG HASTED (Storyteller)
SHOSHANA LITMAN (Storyteller)