Tag: soul

Charlie A’Court – Planted at the Crossroads of Roots and Soul

Charlie A’Court – Planted at the Crossroads of Roots and Soul

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charlieacourtPlanted at the crossroads of roots and soul, the mighty voice, fierce guitar work and contemporary song writing of Charlie A’Court connect with people, one emotion at a time.

He’s a country boy raised on classic R&B, soul, blues, rock and folk ranging from The Band and John Prine to Otis Redding and B.B. King.

Charlie is well known for his emotional delivery and strong stage presence, and for fearlessly bridging genres and challenging stylistic conventions.

He has toured extensively internationally both as a headlining performer or sharing the stage with greats like James Cotton, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, George Thorogood, Harry Manx, Martin Sexton, Delbert McClinton, Colin James and Dan Aykroyd.

Reuben And The Dark Making Their Mariposa Debut

Reuben And The Dark Making Their Mariposa Debut

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reubenDarkReuben And The Dark is a collection of five multi-instrumentalists and vocalists that make chilling, emotive folk and soul driven by dark, introspective lyrics exploring the duality of misery and joy.

Boasting a rare chemistry between all of its members, the group has emerged from the independent music scene on the strength of strong compositions that translate emotion into song with haunting clarity.

Their debut album, Funeral Sky (2014), has been described as a “…rich, deep, mood-drenched, roots-rock record textured with hymns and hosanna…”

It was produced by Chris Hayden (Florence & the Machine) and Stephen Kozmeniuk (Madonna, Nicki Minaj, and The Game feat Kanye West).

Check out our Reuben And The Dark Pinterest Board.

Birds of Chicago are a Must See!

Birds of Chicago are a Must See!

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birdsChicagoBirds of Chicago is one of the most compelling duos on the Americana music scene.

A fractured country-soul voice wrapped in silver and gold tones, the sound they produce is compelling and honest.

With echoes of mountain gospel, dollops of street corner doo-wop, and the cool vibe of classic soul, their music goes straight to the heart of things.

Almost any night of the year you can find them at some festival, theatre, pub, VFW hall, living room, or roller rink, dovetailing their voices, and singing songs of hope, despair, love, electric seahorses, honey bee apocalypses, and ice cream.

It’s wonderful, original stuff. They’re a must see!

Check out our Birds of Chicago story board on Pinterest. While you’re there, click on Follow Board to get updates.

The Harpoonist and The Axe Murderer Bringing Electrifying Blues to Mariposa

The Harpoonist and The Axe Murderer Bringing Electrifying Blues to Mariposa

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harpoonistAxeMurdererThe name may conjure graphic imagery but this dynamic duo is all about kicking out some pretty raw and primal blues.

Armed with a sack of harmonicas, a mess of foot percussion and a road‐worn Telecaster, The Harpoonist and The Axe Murderer pays homage to a decades-deep style of blues, electrifying it with a bolt of new life.

They’re smothered in greasy, gritty soul, and punched up with a little funk.

The music is not polite. In fact, it slaps you on the face and refuses to apologize. But it also cuts through the clutter, anxieties, tensions and phobias of life.

It’s true and real, and that’s how the blues are meant to be played.

Check out our The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer story board on Pinterest. While you’re there, click on Follow Board to get updates.

The JD Edwards Band Coming from Canada’s Middle City to Mariposa

The JD Edwards Band Coming from Canada’s Middle City to Mariposa

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jdEdwardsA lot of great Canadian music has come out of Winnipeg over the decades, and this just might be the decade when The JD Edwards Band sets the Canadian scene on fire.

Anything but a genre driven band, the music of this Winnipeg-based group ranges seamlessly from electric folk-rock to groovy soul vibe to laid back acoustic.

Lured to Canada’s ‘middle city’ by its vibrant music scene, JD Edwards linked up with a clutch of skilled musicians then honed a killer sound.

The band’s live show is in a whole other electrifying category of its own, delivered with contagious optimism and energy, and a full pallet of aural textures.

Led by JD, this six person band, which cites Joe Strummer, Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder and J.J. Cale as influences, is a ‘quenching tonic for thirsty ears’.

https://vimeo.com/82021413

Indie Trailblazer Ani Difranco Making a Long-Awaited Return

Indie Trailblazer Ani Difranco Making a Long-Awaited Return

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aniDifrancoThe influence of Ani DiFranco on fellow musicians, activists, and indie-minded people the world over is huge. She proudly identifies as a folksinger, but her repertoire is spirited medley of soul, funk, hip-hop, jazz, spoken word and other musical genres.

Over the course of more than 20 albums, Ani has never stopped evolving, experimenting, and testing the limits of what can be said and sung. Her tribe of co-conspirators includes everyone from Pete Seeger and the late Utah Phillips to a new generation of twenty-something artists who grew up with her songs and shows. Of course, there’s also the motley crew of folks like Prince, Maceo Parker, Andrew Bird, Dr. John, Arto Lindsay, Bruce Springsteen, Chuck D, the Buffalo Philharmonic, Gillian Welch, Cyndi Lauper, and even Burmese activist and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, with whom she has crossed paths in myriad ways.

Early in her career, Ani made a choice that was considered brazen at the time – to say no to every record label deal that came her way, and yes to being her own boss. But it is another choice she made early in life – to use her voice and her guitar as honestly and unflinchingly as she could, writing and playing songs that come straight from her own experience, her boundless imagination, her sharp wit, and her ever-more-nuanced understanding of how the world works – that has brought sold-out crowds to her shows around the world, fans debating every nuance of her lyrics, and fellow performers clamouring to work with her.

Ani’s songs deal with contemporary social issues ranging from racism, sexism, sexual abuse, homophobia, and reproductive rights, to poverty and war. Her vocal activism is matched by her actions, whether it’s performing at rallies and protests, or working with her foundation to support grassroots cultural and political organizations on matters ranging from abortion rights to gay visibility.

A diverse, eclectic, authentic and exciting artist, Ani is, above all, an honest-to-goodness folksinger.

Check out our Ani Difranco storey board on Pinterest. While you’re there, click on Follow Board to get updates.

Man with a Marmalade Voice – Jory Nash Passing Through Mariposa

Man with a Marmalade Voice – Jory Nash Passing Through Mariposa

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joryNashA singer-songwriter and story teller described as having a marmalade voice, Jory Nash is the quintessential folk minstrel. His music weaves together elements of folk, jazz, blues, pop & soul. With thoughtful lyrics and intricate melodies, he draws the audience close. With easy humour, engaging banter and colourful stories, he wins them over. A man of many hats, Jory has served on the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Board, as Artistic Director of the Shelter Valley Folk Festival, and produced the Gordon Lightfoot tribute show, The Way We Feel. Among many other musical credits are six albums, many tours, numerous awards and lots of airplay.

For more information about Jory Nash at Mariposa Folk Festival, click here.