2026 Line Up
MOONTRICKS
Based in the rustic Kootenay mountains of Western Canada, Nathan Gurley and Sean Rodman of nationally renowned electro-folk duo Moontricks draw inspiration from the ongoing cycles of the natural world. Both volatile and constant—like nature’s best offerings—the band finds solace and beauty in the fusion of seemingly disparate elements.
There’s a kind of technicolor campfire quality to their uniquely hybrid sound: Each track is steeped in tradition and polished with a futuristic sheen, mixing organic folk, roots rock, and old-time blues with modern electronic production. Since its initial release, the band’s breakout hit “Home” has reached over 10 million streams, and their original tracks have been licensed for a wide range of television networks, including Netflix and Fox Sports.
With the release of their debut full-length album Currents via Westwood Recordings, the duo reveals an ever-evolving, cohesive blend of introspective writing, soulful, gritty blues, boot-stomping basslines, and intricate electronic arrangements. Vast, intimate, and dazzling, Currents is an album about settling into feeling comfortably lost, and being okay with not knowing it all. It’s about finding joy and inspiration in the act of seeking.
ALLISON RUSSELL
Montreal born and Nashville based, Allison Russell is a Grammy, Juno, Americana and Folk Awards winning artist, actor, author, songwriter, producer, human rights advocate, survivor and mother. She is the co-founder of Once and Future Sounds and Love Rising. Her debut solo album “Outside Child” was released in 2021, followed by “The Returner” in 2023 via Concord/Fantasy Records.
Prior to her solo career she co-founded, recorded and toured internationally with the bands Po’Girl, Birds of Chicago, and Our Native Daughters. She is a member of Joni Mitchell’s Joni Jam band.
Russell’s ensemble the Rainbow Coalition opened for Hozier’s Unreal Unearth tour throughout 2024. Their All Returners headlining tour will continue Spring of 2025 in Australia and North America. Allison made her Broadway debut starring as Persephone in Anais Mitchell’s Hadestown from Nov 2024 to Feb 2025. Russell’s memoir will be published by Little Brown, release date TBA.
THE HARPOONIST & THE AXE MURDERER
MIINA
MIINA’s sound is more than music; it’s a movement toward connection, care for the planet and a more open-hearted world. Having begun her musical career as the frontperson of Victoria’s Carmanah, Dream-pop artist MIINA continues her solo journey with the release of her debut full-length album, Where The Light Goes, due out March 20, 2026. Produced by an all-star team, Howard Redekopp (Mother Mother, Tegan and Sara),Erik P.H. Nielsen(City and Colour) and Gus Van Go(The Beaches, Metric), the album marks a bold and exciting new chapter.
MIINA began her solo journey in August 2023 with the release of her debut EP, Slow Motion, an impeccable, multi-layered collection produced by Gus Van Go. The EP spotlighted singles “Hiccup,” featuring and co-written by acclaimed songwriter Lowell, and “Pressure,” both of which received extensive radio play across Canada, including ZONE Victoria, CBC Music, SiriusXM’s The Verge, X92.9 Calgary, X100.7 Red Deer, SONiC Vancouver and CHME Les Escoumins. Multiple sync placements followed, including CBC’s Allegiance and Être un Hilton.
Her career has also seen her grace the stages of some of Canada’s most beloved festivals, including Rifflandia, Kaslo Jazz Festival and Laketown Shakedown. Rifflandia Magazine writer Michael Luis captured the essence of her sound, writing, “MIINA is the sound of the sunlight cutting through the foliage. Everything is brighter, funkier, more danceable, but with love for the environment and human emotion.”
In addition, MIINA has opened for celebrated artists such as k.d. lang, Shakey Graves, Sam Roberts, Bedouin Soundclash and Moontricks. A captivating live performer, whether it be solo or with an accompanying band, she consistently holds her own alongside some of the industry’s most respected names. Her music builds community, with each performance a gathering of hearts, rooted in authenticity, compassion and shared human experience.
WYATT C. LOUIS
Walking the line between genres like an easy path rather than a tightrope, carried by textural and ethereal songs lifted up by stunning vocals, Wyatt C. Louis’ debut album Chandler refers to simply their middle name. Louis (they/he), a Plains Cree singer-songwriter born and raised in parts of Treaty Six, now lives in Moh’kinstsís (Blackfoot name for Calgary) and lets that amalgamation of place shine through on these tracks, some of which came to life in the quiet and contemplative days of deep pandemic lockdown.Out via Royal Mountain Records, Chandler is suffused with a soft comfort that glows with feelings of familiarity and ease. Louis found levity through collaboration. A new experience, the result is upbeat yet cozy, the kind of songs that show off Louis’ contradictions of paying homage to the country music ingrained in the geography of their childhood, with an indie and roots spin that makes it something different.
MAMA’S BROKE
Mama’s Broke have spent over a decade in a near-constant state of transience, pounding the transatlantic tour trail. They've brought their dark, fiery folk-without-borders sound to major festivals and DIY punk houses alike, absorbing traditions from their maritime home in Eastern Canada all the way to Ireland and Indonesia. Nowhere is the duo's art-in-motion approach more apparent than on their long-awaited JUNO-nominated sophomore record Narrow Line (released May 2022 on Free Dirt Records) It's the sound of nowhere in particular, yet woven with a rich synthesis of influences that knows no borders.
The eleven songs on Narrow Line burrow deeply, with close harmony duets, commanding vocals, and poignant contemplations on cycles of life, including birth and death. Tinges of Americana stand side-by-side with the ghosts of Eastern European fiddle tunes and ancient a cappella ballad singing, melding into an unusually accessible dark-folk sound. A careful listen of Narrow Line invokes an ephemeral sense of place—whether real or imagined—inviting us to take comfort in the infinite possibilities of life, whether or not we ever choose to settle down.
For a group defined by constant touring, it’s not surprising that the two artists that make up Mama’s Broke, Lisa Maria and Amy Lou Keeler, met on the road. Both coming out of travelling communities that are focused on music and protest, the two owe the way in which they move through the world to the integrated and self-sustaining nature of DIY culture and activism. It was a busy life that took them on a roundabout annual touring schedule running between Canada, the United States, Ireland, the UK, and Europe.
The driving force behind this band is – and has always been – the commitment to challenge borders between people, places, and traditions; while encouraging freedom of expression and community through music.
SWEET ALIBI
With their dazzling fourth album Make A Scene, Winnipeg combo Sweet Alibi masterfully deliver soulful roots-pop elevated by the luminous vocal harmonies of Jess Rae Ayre, Amber Nielsen, and Michelle Anderson. Produced by Matt Peters and Matt Schellenberg (a.k.a. members of indie-pop squad Royal Canoe who produce under the Deadmen moniker), Make A Scene weds rich lyrical themes to wildly accessible songs such as the propulsive “Confetti,” which occupied the Top 20 of CBC Radio 2’s national chart for an impressive eight weeks, building on previous airplay Sweet Alibi enjoyed on satellite and terrestrial radio. Bassist Alasdair Dunlop and drummer Sandy Fernandez round out the acclaimed Western Canadian Music Award winners, whose Make A Scene album scored 2022’s Roots Duo/Group Recording of the Year. Watch for Sweet Alibi on tour in 2023 and beyond.
BRASSTACTICS
Get ready to groove with BrassTactics, Canada's most dynamic and energetic mobile brass party band! This explosive ensemble brings together the best of AC/DC's hard-rock edge, Dr. Dre's hip-hop swagger, and everything in between. Their unique sound is fueled by original songs that blend punk, ska, jazz, and modern pop influences, guaranteed to get crowds moving and singing along!
Tribute to the Groove, their debut album (July 2024), skyrocketed to #1 on CKUA charts and topped the !earshot National Jazz chart. This monumental success is just the beginning for BrassTactics.
Live, BrassTactics is an unstoppable force, igniting dance floors and inspiring sing-alongs. Their infectious energy, tight performances, and genre-bending sound make them a must-see experience. With their sights set on conquering the Canadian music scene, BrassTactics is fresher, hungrier, and more determined than ever. Join the party and witness the unstoppable momentum of BrassTactics!
CAPTAIN THUNDERPANTS
Captain Thunderpants! Is a time travelling Intergalactic Space Pirate from the planet Funkathon.
He is here on earth as part of a secret mission to collect enough yams to fuel an Archelon escape pod from the distant galaxy of Yum Yum, which is completely inhabited by gold encrusted ceratopsian dinosaurs.
Galaxy Yum Yum is in imminent peril of annihilation due to a super nova that is about to swallow it and snuff out Funkathon forever.
The most powerful yams are acquired as payment for singing and dancing, hence the Captain’s zeal for getting families up singing and dancing!
THE DUCKS
They’re only 15… and they rock.
Hailing from Canmore, Alberta, The Ducks are a three-piece rock band made up of Timmy Mann on guitar and vocals, Charlie Kestle on drums and keys, and Ollie Robins on bass. They may have just started high school, but their tight musicianship, fearless energy, and natural chemistry make it clear they’re not just kids playing music — they’re badass musicians with some serious chops.
On stage, The Ducks draw in crowds fast. Their sets are a high-energy mix of crowd-pleasing rock covers and impressive original songs, delivered with musicianship well beyond their years. Charlie seamlessly jumps between drums and keys (literally mid-song), Ollie locks in the groove, and Timmy turns heads with blistering guitar work and powerhouse vocals that stop audiences in their tracks.
From cozy rooms to festival stages, The Ducks win audiences over quickly, get people moving, and leave crowds asking, “How are they this good already?” They’re the kind of band listeners discover early and can’t stop talking about.
Momentum is building. The Ducks have been featured on CBC’s The National, won the Canmore Lamphouse Arts Bursary, and released their debut EP, Band and a Rhythm, recorded live off the floor in just three days — a testament to their raw talent and chemistry. They’re currently writing and rehearsing new material for their forthcoming full-length album.
Local, fearless, and impossible to ignore, The Ducks are growing up — and they’re just getting started.