Bluesfest 2016 Local Music Preview
Say what you will about the festival, Bluesfest is a huge supporter of local music. They extensively search for Ottawa talent every single year and bring in both established acts as well as newer artists that are looking for that next big opportunity. This year is no exception. Bluesfest organizers have booked in almost 60 local artists to play on the big stages this year. We’ve broken down a list of all the artists from the Ottawa-Gatineau region for you to have a better idea of what to check out while you’re at Bluesfest this year. So go on, explore!
Amanda Rheaume
Sat, July 9, 9:30 PM to 10:45 PM – Monster Energy Stage
Amanda Rheaume is an award-winning folk singer songwriter. In 2014 Amanda received a Canadian Folk Music Award for Aboriginal Songwriter and a Juno Nomination for Aboriginal Album. Amanda has graced several stages in the Ottawa area, across Canada and around the world. Her latest album Holding Patterns was produced by another very talented local musician Jim Bryson.
Amos the Transparent
Sun, July 17, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM – City Stage
Amos the Transparent are a six piece indie folk band the just keep getting better. They started as a studio project 10 years ago and have grown musically and in following in the nation’s capital. Their performance are full of both soft melodies and beautiful vocal harmonies. They just recently released a new single, so fans may be in for a treat of a bunch of new music.
Barry and The Blasters
Sun, July 17, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM – Monster Energy Stage
Barry and The Blasters is a group of eight musicians from the Old Ottawa South. They’ve have been playing sold-out shows in local clubs in the Ottawa area for more than 10 years. The Blasters include an awesome brass ensemble and a gentlemen that can really rock the harmonica. Make sure to bring your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie to some bluesy rock and some soul.
Bonnie Doon
Sun, July 17, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Claridge Homes Stage
The post-punk foursome known as Bonnie Doon draws influences from many places, such beach parties, ghost stories and pizza joints. Armed with distorted vocals, ripping riffs and driving drums Bonnie Doon never fail to impress.
Brock Zeman
Sun, July 17, 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Monster Energy Stage
Brock Zeman is one of Canada’s most prolific singer songwriter having released 11 albums over the years. He may very well be the capitals best kept secrets considering his 2015 release Pulling Your Sword Out of the Devil’s Back was a semifinalist in the International Songwriting Competition and came in second in the The Unsigned Only Competition in 2015. He write very clever and profound songs which he delivers with just the right rasp.
Carlo
Wed, July 13, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM – Black Sheep Stage
Carlo are a instrumental surf band with members from both Ottawa and Toronto. Check them out to practice your best beach dance moves like swimming against the air, surfing and the mash potato.
Cashtro Crosby
Thu, July 14, 8:15 PM to 9:15 PM – Black Sheep Stage
Born in Pittsburgh now based in Ottawa Jay Williams, better known and Cashtro Crosby lays down some smooth hip-hop. Cashtro thrives on making music about his personal experiences, from the good to the bad, from popping in clubs to millionaire dreams.
Chris Page
Sat, July 9, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM – Claridge Homes Stage
Chris Page perfectly skirts the line of punk rock and folk while playing pop songs on his acoustic guitar. Page has been heavily involved in music in the region having played in Camp Radio, Stand GT and currently playing in Expanda Fuzz. Page’s latest solo release, his fourth, Volume Vs. Voice, was one of my favourite of 2015, not just in Ottawa but period. Chris Page is a must see for fans of The Weakerthans and for people who love it any time a punk rock soul finds himself behind an acoustic guitar.
Craig Cardiff
Wed, July 13, 9:00 PM to 10:15 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Craig Cardiff is a very talented songwriter and troubadour who builds landscapes of sound using live digital loops, bringing the room to a hush. Beyond his great musical talent, in between songs Craig is an entertainer telling great stories for the crowd, jokes and just loves engaging his audience. A Craig Cardiff set will make you want to cry due to a broken heart one minute and cry of laughter the next.
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Danielle Allard
Wed, July 13, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Danielle Allard is an award winning singer songwriter with one of the nicest voices in the capital region. The local talent has been performing well before her teens and graduated of Canterbury High School’s school of music. Danielle is also extremely engaged and active in her community playing countless fundraisers and charity events. Most have seen Danielle solo or as a duo, but for Bluesfest they will be a five-piece and you are surely in for a treat.
Danny Albert
Sat, July 16, 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Danny Albert is a classically trained solo violinist who has been an active performer in the local music scene for many years. He plays a wide variety styles from contemporary to classic rock and the jazz standards all on the violin sometimes accompanied by a few friends on keys. He has opened for bands like The Strumbellas and Oh Susanna.
DJ ACRO
Thu, July 7, 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM – Casino du Lac-Leamy (Free Programming)
DJ ACRO a veteran of the scene well known for his scratching, mixing and versitility. He is also an in-house DJ for Babylon and Ritual Nightclub, backing artists such as Ghostface Killah, GZA, Cappadonna, Onyx, and opening for the likes of DJ CRAZE, The Underachievers, Mac Miller, M.O.P and DJ Premier just to name a few. In 2015 ACRO competed in the RedBull Thre3style World DJ Championships, battling his way through the East Canada regionals and earning a trip to the National Finals in Winnipeg among the top 6 DJs in Canada.
DJ Calkuta
Thu, July 14, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM – The Big Chill Stage
Fri, July 15, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM – The Big Chill Stage
DJ Calkuta is one of many proficient Ottawa DJs making regular parties happen across the city. If he’s not busy getting down to business at SABBATH Sunday night dance parties at Babylon, you can also find him along side his squad in the hip hop group Flight Distance. Wear your deodorant, it’s going to get sweaty.
DJ LTP
Wed, July 13, 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM – Casino du Lac-Leamy (Free Programming)
As the city’s best known country DJs, LTP has played alongside and opened up for the likes of Anthony Orio and the Goodfeller’s (number 1 band in Nashville four years running), Tim Hicks, Chad Brownlee, Jason Blaine and Dallas Smith. He has also opened for rapper Classified and rocker Sass Jordan.DJ LTP is currently the house DJ at The Crazyhorse, which has been his home for the last seven years.
DJ Magnificient
Thu, July 14, 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM – Casino du Lac-Leamy (Free Programming)
Sat, July 16, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM – The Big Chill Stage
Sun, July 17, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM – The Big Chill Stage
DJ Magnificient is DJ and host of Ottawa’s only monthly night with a focus on soul-funk-motown and vintage reggae on all on 45s called DOUBLE BARREL. The man has been playing records for 23 years now and shows no signs of changing his ways. He is happiest when 7 inches of something funky or soulful at 45 rotations per minute.
Dubé
Sat, July 16, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM – Monster Energy Stage
Playing together since the ages of 6, 7 and 9, DubĂ© started out on the streets busking their way to over $200, 000 for charity. From a humble beginning of three brother busking together on the street outside of Bluesfest to playing some of the world’s largest music festivals and now gracing the stage at Bluesfest.
Dylan Phillips
Fri, July 15, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – CF Rideau Centre (Free Programming)
Dylan Phillips is an incredibly talented classical guitar player who will wow you with his finger picking. As a student in the Bachelor of Music, Singer-Songwriter program at Carleton University, Dylan has developed into a mature polymathic musician and songwriter, who is on track to release his first album in 2016 through Physik Records.
Fire Antlers
Fri, July 8, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Fire Antlers is Travis Kinnear, supported by his archaic drum machine (975 Rhythm Ace FR 8L), crafting a unique blend of lo-fi pop and sci-folk that is danceable and layered with internal reflections.
Grace Lachance
Sat, July 9, 3:00 PM to 3:15 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Sat, July 9, 7:15 PM to 7:30 PM – Monster Energy Stage
Grace Lachance took the stage for the “SHE’S THE ONE” talent contest at the RBC Bluesfest in Ottawa in 2015a as 15-year-old musician from Stittsville, Ontario. At the end of the day she walked away the winner. She continues to mature as an artist, even though she has more experience under her belt than most her age, and develop her alternative-pop sound with a touch of new country.
Her Harbour
Wed, July 13, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Gabrielle Giguere, better known as Her Harbour, has a powerfully haunting voice that reminds you of the voice of a siren luring you into the sea with her music. The music is dark, eerie and very emotional as Giguere strums her auto-harp and her band members add in just the right complementary subtleties. Recently, Giguere has been composing music for television and film, including TV5’s series 2h14. Her Harbour is currently working on her second full-length album, set for release in the spring of 2016.
Jill Zmud
Sat, July 9, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Jill Zmud‘s latest album comes from the discovery of an old dusty reel-to-reel tape in her parents’ Saskatoon home, the very house Jill grew up in. On that tape in a cardboard box were the songs of her musician uncle, Ed Clynton. Ed was a member of the Canadian band Witness Inc. in the 1960’s and 1970’s. This album lead her to play some great country music where she explores themes of loss, hope and unbreakable bonds of family.
Jillian Kerr
Sun, July 10, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – CF Rideau Centre (Free Programming)
Jillian Kerr is a singer-songwriter born and raised on the outskirts of Ottawa. Jillian writes lyrics that listeners can relate to, but weaves in hints of mystery in each song. Her songs speak to a depth beyond her years as a songwriter. Her most intriguing quality stems from her unique and soothing voice that leaves audiences wanting more. Jillian recently won the MusikOttawa Singer-Songwriter competition in 2015 performing songs from her debut EP Dreams.
Jordan McIntosh
Sun, July 10, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM – City Stage
Jordan McIntosh is a rising star in the pop-country world. This was solidified when he most recently took home the Rising Star Award at the 2014 Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) Awards and earned a spot as a Top 6 finalist in the CCMA Discovery Program.
Just Poets
Sat, July 16, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM – Claridge Homes Stage
Just Poets are an Ottawa-based Hip-Hop trio consisting of Ottawa’s most prolific producer Jeepz and emcees Just Peace and Street Scholar. Armed with some of the slickest beats thanks to Jeepz the two emcees don’t shy away from spitting rhymes at the speed of light, but also find comfort in smooth slow jamming.
Kelly Prescott
Wed, July 13, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Claridge Homes Stage
Kelly Prescott inherited some great musical genes thanks to two great Canadians bloodlines, spanning three generations, and she certainly has not squandered that head start. Her natural country voice over a steel guitar and a fiddle is something of beauty for any fan of traditional country music. She has released music under the name Prescott, Kelly Prescott and with a band The Claytones.
Kelsey Hayes
Sat, July 9, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – CF Rideau Centre (Free Programming)
Not sure if you are feeling roots or soul, well with Kelsey Hayes you don’t have to decide. She combines her powerful soul-jazz vocals over an acoustic guitars and gives you a taste of both on her journey of heartbreak, betrayal and love. Kesley also recently won the MusikOttawa Singer-Songwriter competition in 2015 performing songs off her self-titled debut EP.
Lemeow
Sun, July 17, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Claridge Homes Stage
Want to actually see some blues at Bluesfest? A novel idea I know. Well if you do you can’t miss Lemeow. Sultry, smooth and all about the blues while still keeping it modern. If you love the sounds of Amy Winehouse and upbeat Adele you will love Lemeow.
Lost to the River
Thu, July 7, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Monster Energy Stage
Lost to the River are a dynamic and catchy indie rock band from Ottawa, whose performance always feature a ton of energy. Their songs are intimate, textured, and contain the heart and soul that many of us have come to love about Canadiana folk music. Their critically acclaimed debut received extensive airplay and earned them the 2015 Stingray Rising Star Award.
Mark Fossen
Sun, July 17, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – CF Rideau Centre (Free Programming)
Mark Fossen is a perfect fit for anyone looking to sit down and be swept away by a man and his guitar. His soft voice with a little rasp is an incredible conduit for his emotions and stories.
Mehdi Cayenne
Sat, July 9, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM – Monster Energy Stage
Mehdi Hamdad has been playing music since he was a teenager and he’s been organizing and playing shows for over a decade now. The Mehdi Cayenne Club was formed in 2009, on the day Michael Jackson died — June 25. Mehdi is the songwriter in both French and English for all the songs, but completes his pieces with the help of his bandmates Olivier Fairfield and François Gravel. There are few more fitting stages for a performer as Mehdi playing in the Monster ENERGY stage as he is one of the most energetic and frenetic performers I have ever seen
Merganzer
Sun, July 17, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Merganzer is the new experimental pop project of Violinist Mika Posen (Timber Timbre, Agnes Obel, Forest City Lovers).In 2013 she moved to Berlin where she visited the graves of her favourite composers, experimented with sounds, and began writing and recording music of her own. After returning to Canada in 2015, she mixed her debut record, Mirror Maze. Merganzer’s songs were primarily built using the “mikatron,” a mellotron-style string machine that she created from 90 different samples of her own violin. A Merganzer performance is really quite an experience, and we strongly recommend it.
Monday I Retire
Sun, July 17, 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Monday I Retire are led by the powerful vocals of lead singer Mackenzie Di Millo. The five-piece that gracefully and skillfully blends jazz, soul, blues rock with a hint of pop. A standout and highlight of Monday I Retire sets are your urge to dance and to lose yourself in the trumpet solos.
Monkey Junk
- Thu, July 14, 9:30 PM to 10:45 PM – Barney Danson Theatre with featured guests: Paul DesLauriers, Colin Linden, Sue Foley and Jack Broadbent
- Fri, July 15, 9:00 PM to 10:15 PM – Barney Danson Theatre with featured guests: Jack de Keyzer, Jeff Lang, Sue Foley and Paul Reddick
- Sat, July 16, 9:30 PM to 10:45 PM – Barney Danson Theatre with featured guests: Paul James, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne and Michael Schatt
- Sun, July 17, 9:30 PM to 10:45 PM – Black Sheep Stage with featured guests: Paul Reddick, Lance Anderson and some special surprises
Monkey Junk have quite the interest task and honour at this year’s Bluesfest. The juno award-winners and Ottawa swamp-rock, roots and blues icons will be hosting a not-to-be-missed Blues Revue during the final four days of the ‘fest. Every night they will be joined by different special guests and supported The Texas Horns, a unit that has the ability to adapt on the fly, often minutes before the performance, and have become a permanent fixture at the RBC Bluesfest.
Pipahauntus
Sat, July 16, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Pipahauntas is local artist Sam Pippa’s (Organ Eyes, Blue Angel) solo project. This project sounds very different from the bands she plays in.  No guitar or bass here – she is armed with a laptop, pedals and a microphone, delivering trip hop and lo-fi rumblings. Pipahauntaus’ music is great for late night cruise with your windows down with the wind slowly gracing your cheeks and flowing in your hair.
Pith and the Parenchymas
Sat, July 16, 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Black Sheep Stage
Pith and the Parenchymas are a duo employing an extremely modern and spacey blend of folk timbres with the techniques and tools of electronic music. They are breaking down barriers and creating sounds that you won’t find anywhere else. Beware of musical geniuses at work.
Scary Bear Soundtrack
Sun, July 17, 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Scary Bear Soundtrack have a lot kilometers on their treads. The band originally based in Ottawa, packed up and moved to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut and has now returned to be based in the nation’s capital. The indie synth-pop project is very politically-conscious and actively promotes inclusion in the Ottawa music scene. Their song “Fault Lines,” about violence against women, made it to the national final Top 4 in CBC Music’s Searchlight competition for Canada’s Best New Artist.
Scattered Clouds
Thu, July 7, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Scattered Clouds is a dark, experimental, post-apocalyptic three-piece rock group, from Hull, QC, led by bassist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Philippe Charbonneau (Hilotrons, Evening Hymns, Jim Bryson). The band also features the wild Mike Dubue (HILOTRONS) and multi-talented drummer Jamie Kronick. A Scattered Clouds show is so powerful as Philippe’s singing will haunt your dreams in the best way possible, while Mike creates sounds most people can’t even think of and as Jamie Kronick puts on a display behind the drums.
Silver Creek
Sat, July 9, 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM – Monster Energy Stage
Silver Creek are sometimes soulful, twangy, driving and loud, but never stray far from what they truly are; just a good old rock and roll band. They have been compared to The Band, Allman Brothers, Blue Rodeo and Neil Young, but make sure to carve out their own space to be their own band.
Steamers
Sun, July 10, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Claridge Homes Stage
Hailing from both sides of the Ottawa River, with family ties and strong friendship the six-piece known as the Steamers play folk music you just have to stomp, clap and sing a long to. They call it power folk and one sing in you will understand as they vary from slow darker sounds to upbeat speedy blasts. Every member of the band sings and they perform both in English and French. There really is something for everyone at a Steamers show.
Steve Adamyk Band
Fri, July 15, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM – City Stage
Steve Adamyk is the most prolific punk rocker in Ottawa if not Canada. The man has been pumping out punk and power-pop for years now. With his band, Steve Adamyk Band, they have sold almost 10,000 physical vinyl records alone and have toured Europe, Japan, U.S. and Canada many times over. If you love quick, catchy, high energy songs and watching a bunch of buddies have an amazing time then you need to see the Steve Adamyk Band perform. They also happen to be playing in the opening slot for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I wonder how many songs they can fit into an hour long set… show up and find out.
Suits n toques
The Chocolate Hot Pockets
Fri, July 15, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
If you’re looking for the real deal when it comes to instrumental musicianship, The Chocolate Hot Pockets are your band. This band takes jazz / fusion, funk and soul and smashes them together for an all-out flurry of sounds from across the musical spectrum. They embrace the weird, and the weird embrace them.
The Heavy Medicine Band
Fri, July 8, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Claridge Homes Stage
In the musical apothecary, take one part psychedelic onslaught of haunting instrumentals, and one part vocal prowess. Mix the two together and the concoction you end up with will induce tremors of the spine. The Heavy Medicine Band are a force to be reckoned with in Ottawa. Keturah Johnson is easily one of Ottawa’s most stunning and breathtaking vocalists, and her abilities are only accentuated on the live stage. Don’t miss this band.
The Jesse Greene Band
Thu, July 14, 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM – Black Sheep Stage
The Jesse Greene Band are the kind of act that you might expect to find in a Chicago dive bar. As you’re sipping on your whiskey amongst the motley bunch of shady figures, The Jesse Greene Band rocks away in the corner, filling the place with genuine blues rock that doesn’t quit. Greene’s raspy vocals and Luke Donovan’s irresistibly intricate guitar riffs are sure to put the “blues” in Bluesfest this year.
The Jimmy Tri-Tone Band
Sun, July 10, 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Black Sheep Stage
This husband-wife duo form Almonte, ON, are just another example of the quality of musicianship coming out of small towns in the Ottawa region. While the spark of romance exists off the stage for this group, there’s no shortage of chemistry on stage either. Take a break and check these guys out for some good ol’ folk rock.
The Lionyls
Sat, July 16, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM – City Stage
Let me just start by saying that few bands in town have as much energy on stage as The Lionyls. These guys are a tried and true rock n’ roll band that truly live up to the ferocity in their name. They’re one of those bands that you see jumping around on stage having fun and think to yourself, “how can they still sound so good?” They have perfected the art of groove and are ready to deliver to the crowd at Bluesfest this year.
The Lucas Haneman Express
The Peptides
Sun, July 17, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM – City Stage
The Peptides have garnered acclaim and earned a reputation in town for putting on fun, choreographed shows to go along with their music. When you go to see this band, it feels like you’re at a Broadway musical with over-the-top theatrics, wild hair and makeup, and visually stunning stage effects. The Peptides blend all kinds of music, such as pop, funk and soul, to bring us a high-energy, high-octane live shows.
The Powergoats
Sun, July 17, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM – Monster Energy Stage
The Powergoats are a rock n’ roll outfit that music fans of all ages will appreciate. These guys toy with a lot of different sounds, utilizing more than just guitar and drums – they incorporate piano, daring harmonies, and some pretty rad effects too. You’ll even hear tinges of blues and reggae in their songs, too. Singer Jamie Douglas’ strong stage presence matches the power of the sounds coming out of the speakers, all proving that this isn’t just band with a sweet name.
The Red Rails
Fri, July 15, 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM Claridge Homes Stage
The Red Rails have turned heads in Ottawa since forming in 2012, having played countless shows and given audiences a dose of their brand of rock. Vocalist Kim Vincent’s dynamic vocals could be compared to that of Anthony Kedis or Josh Homme, but the truth is he’s got his own thing going on. The band’s 70’s stadium rock and 90’s grunge influences come through loud and clear, something which will be sure to get audiences moving at Bluesfest this year.
The Slow Century
Sun, July 17, 3:00 PM > 4:00 PM Monster Energy Stage
What if you were sitting at your cubicle, and your co-worker comes up to you and says “Hey, let’s start a band.” Would you do it? Well these guys certainly did. The Slow Century is comprised of a few journalists here in town, Ottawa Sun writers Aedan Helmer and Tony Spears. They began writing different kinds of stories through music once they officially got together in 2013, incorporating bluesy riffage and an alt rock sound that audiences love.
The Wicked Mercy
Sat, July 16, 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM – Monster Energy Stage
When you hear the sound of raw, crunchy, whiskey-soaked rock n’ roll electrifying the airwaves, it’s probably The Wicked Mercy coming to take your soul. OK, maybe not your soul, but their music is a perfect blend of high-energy rock mixed in with some pretty intricate blues-inspired guitar riffs that almost act like a second lead vocalist.
The Yips
Fri, July 15, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Claridge Homes Stage
Readers of Ottawa Showbox know very well that The Yips are one of our favourite local bands. Why? They take everything we love about fuzzed-out garage rock and multiply it tenfold. Kerri Carisse’s wild, piercing vocals are infectious and compliment the Jon Schofield’s crunchy lead guitar and Kurt Rafuse’s maniacal bass lines. Catch The Yips for a transformative live experience.
 Thrust
Sun, July 10, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM Barney Danson Theatre
When you first hear Thrust, immediately you know that there’s something special going on. Fusing jazz, funk and soul with elements of hip hop and electronic music, this band takes an improvisational approach to their music and create soundscapes for us to meander in. Using a myriad of instruments, they will leave you wondering how a trio can pack such a punch.
 Training Season
Fri, July 15, 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM – Black Sheep Stage
Training Season is a local hip hop collective is led by rapper/songwriter GPxTempest (aka GP), rapper/songwriter King Caexar (aka Caexar), and singer/songwriter Queen (aka Q). They take minimalist samples and layer some smooth beats and intelligent lyrics to create smooth, jazzy hip hop. Their collabs with producers are on-point, too, and this crew is certainly one to keep an eye out for on the Canadian hip hop scene.
Treasure Dub Quartet
Sat, July 9, 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Black Sheep Stage
You don’t see many dub bands these days, and the good stuff – the lo-fi Jamaican recordings – can only be found on our record shelves. But the Treasure Dub Quartet is bringing it back. The band consists of a few extremely prolific Ottawa musicians: Adam Saikaley on guitar; Alex Moxon on bass; Philippe Charbonneau on Dub Station; and Michel Delage on drums. They bring together everything we love about dub of old – groove heavy bass lines, fluttering drum patterns, and trippy sound effects. Light one up for these guys.
The Split
Fri, July 8, 9:00Â PM – Barney Danson Theatre
The Split have garnered a reputation for inducing hip-moving, booty-shaking dance parties in front of the stage. This veteran neo-soul band takes elements of classic soul music and gives it modern spin. Matthew Chaffey’s distinct vocal style adds some grittiness to their live performance, and fits perfectly with the mean brass section and unrelenting rhythm behind him. Don’t believe me about the dance party thing? Watch the video below.
Tyler Kealy
Thu, July 7, 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM – Barney Danson Theatre
Tyler Kealy is a veteran of the scene, and has been relentlessly active for over a decade. You don’t see many piano players making a name for themselves these days, but Kealy’s style is something music fans of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy. He’s shared the stage with names like Great Big Sea’s Alan Doyle, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Blues Brother Dan Ackroyd, and continues to play shows several times per week. He’s getting set to release a new album this summer, but until then catch him play a set at Bluesfest – fittingly at the Barney Danson Theatre.
Yusso
Sat, July 9, 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM – City Stage
Don’t know Yusso? You should know Yusso. We love Yusso. This guy is a hidden gem of the Ottawa hip hop scene, bringing together unorthodox samples, intelligent lyricism, and a distinct flow. He’s a real-deal emcee and he displays that talent every show he plays. He’s the kind of artist that has something to say, and when he performs he makes sure to deliver that message to audiences.