2022 Folkus Concert Series Lineup

Shawna Caspi is a singer, poet, painter and fingerstyle guitarist. Blessed with a warm, supple voice, and mistress of fingerstyle guitar thanks to hundreds of hours of practice, Caspi is known for her incisive, clever, song writing and warm presence on stage. Caspi – a connector of curious humans – spent years on the road playing solo shows at festivals and in concert halls, train cars, backyards, and living rooms, drawing energy from shifting landscapes and long drives through Canada and the United States. Shawna returns with her fifth album, Hurricane Coming, a collection of raw, deeply personal songs set against a backdrop of colourful cinematic soundscapes. Shawna also created a series of abstract paintings inspired by the songs on the album, seamlessly combining her work as a musician and visual artist.

Opening for Shawna Caspi is Amanda Lowe Warnakulasuriya. Born in Sri Lanka, raised on Prince Edward Island, and based in Ottawa, Amanda writes enchanting and heartbreaking experimental-folk music. Blending in her folk roots from both islands that raised her, she builds sentient walls of sound that help you grieve and love, making you feel both nostalgic and at home, all at once. With a voice like honey, Amanda breaks your heart open, only to make you feel whole again.

Listen to Amanda Lowe Warnakulasuriya on Bandcamp.

Julian Taylor is a songwriter at the top of his game, garnering a recent CFMA Solo Artist of the year, and was a Polaris Prize nominee for 2021. The Ridge, his latest recording, is a tender and heartfelt exploration of childhood and family, and finds the artist at his most reflective. Taylor is an artist who defies genre, but this latest recording takes us back to his roots, evoking his childhood soundtrack of Lightfoot, The Band, and his grandfather’s classic country records, while being true to his own path as leader of multiple bands. Of West Indian and Mohawk descent, Taylor first made his name as frontman of Staggered Crossing in the early 2000s. These days, however, the soulful singer/guitarist might be on stage one night playing with his eponymous band, spilling out electrified rhythm and blues glory, and the next he is at a folk festival delivering a captivating solo singer-songwriter set. In everything he does, Taylor has carved his own path, creating genre-free music with a generosity of spirit and a strong belief in the healing powers of song. We are lucky to have him for such an intimate performance.

Catriona Sturton is a multi-instrumentalist tour de force, bringing a sometimes tender, sometimes comic sensibility to her songs about mysteries, the blues, cats, and late night calls.

Ian Sherwood is a singer-songwriter, storyteller, and multi-multi-instrumentalist. He is charming in person and funny as heck on stage between songs. “A born story teller and a constant creator, his music dances the line between folk and pop. His live performances thrive on intimacy. Whether it’s a theatre show or large festival stage, his persona is irresistible and completely destroys fourth walls.”

Opening for Ian Sherwood will be Evangeline Gentle, a rising star from Peterborough. Evangeline brings a stunning voice and introspective song writing to the stage. Their self-titled LP was recorded just down the road at Jim Bryson’s Fixed Hinge Studios.

We really wanted to put these two bands on our stage because they absolutely love to sing, and they bring a delightful energy to the stage.

Tragedy Ann are based in Guelph. With intimacy and care, Liv Cazzola and Braden Phelan favour a flashlight over a spotlight in songs for community, nature, and hardworking hospital staff. Braiding organic vocal harmonies with accordion, singing saw, guitars, and ukulele, Tragedy Ann’s arrangements are as delicate as they are driving.

The Pairs are a joyous and energetic female-fronted folk-pop group hailing from London, Ontario. Led by the powerhouse (classically trained) vocals of Renee and Noelle Coughlin and Hillary Watson. They are backed by recovering punk drummer Steve Plimmer. The Pairs create acoustic harmony pop tunes grounded in unique rhythms that will hug your ear drums and inspire you to dance.