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Amanda Rheaume
The fifth album from Ottawa-raised, Toronto-based singer /songwriter Amanda Rheaume, The Skin I'm In presents a compellingly portrait of an artist fully comfortable in her own skin, personally and musically.
An engaging performer, Rheaume has developed a following across Canada and in Europe, where she tours regularly. One of Rheaume's great gifts as a songwriter is her ability to take the personal and make it universal, drawing upon her own experience to deliver messages with a wide resonance. She digs deep on The Skin I'm In, reflecting upon her Metis heritage, as on the profoundly moving title track and "Return To The Water," and addressing issues of identity and mental health. ...a voice clear as a bell, reminiscent of Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell — Lindencult Times, Germany amandarheaume.com Ball and Chain
Based in Ottawa Ontario, Ball and Chain has been performing as a duo for over 20yrs.
Jody is a talented rhythm player and her triangle, rub board and rhythm guitar (as well as harmony vocals) can be heard on many recordings by various artists. She currently directs the three Ottawa chapters of Georgette Fry’s community women’s choir, Shout Sister! Michael lends his mastery of Cajun fiddle, mandolin and vocals to the mix. Michael and Jody have been making frequent trips to Louisiana since 1997 and the music from Southwest Louisiana and its cultural context continues to fascinate them. They play a mixture of Roots Country and Cajun music, always with the dancers in mind. In addition to their duo, they also have 2 other bands: The Wreckers is a 5 piece band that has been playing festivals and clubs locally and across the continent for 15yrs or more... it's hard to remember. They can keep you dancing till closing time and when you're done we'll wrap you up in Vintage Country Comfort and then set you up with a soundtrack for while you're countin' sheep. ballandchain.ca Zigue
Partners in music and marriage for 25+ years, and parents to the newest member of the group (Aimé Méthé), Claude Méthé (fiddle, vocals) and Dana Whittle (guitar, foot percussion, vocals) have lived, breathed, created and shared their music across Canada, the US and overseas. Dynamic singers and prolific composers, they are members in good standing of Québec’s living musical tradition. Claude’s evocative singing and authentic fiddling is matched by Dana’s rhythmic prowess, tasty guitar and sparkling vocals, and with the addition of Aimé (banjo, fiddle, vocals), they add some inspired, youthful creativity to their already-unique sound. Zigue delivers rootsy originals, archival gems and the kind of magic generated by musicians whose kids (Aimé included) napped onstage in instrument cases. They have been recognized for their artistic ability and their offspring are living testament to their commitment to passing along their musical heritage (Aimé’s sister Béatrix is a member of indie folk band Rosier). Get ready for reels, jigs, complaintes, chansons à répondre, energized foot percussion and tales of life from their home deep in the heart of the Québec trad universe.
zigue.ca Claude Méthé
Born in Québec City, fiddler-singer Claude Méthé has been a part of the traditional music world in Québec for more than thirty years. A self-taught fiddler, his style reflects his influences and the eighteen years he lived in the region of Lotbinière, on the south side of the St-Lawrence river not far from Québec City. Claude is a former founding member of the legendary Le Rêve du Diable, winner of a 1983 Felix for Trad Album of the Year, and a group often credited with singlehandedly reviving public interest in traditional Québécois music.
Claude is well-known for his work with other trad bands, including Manigance, Ni Sarpe Ni Branche, Entourloupe, Jeter le Pont and Dentdelion). He has played all over Canada, in Europe and the U.S. and appears on at least twelve recordings, including the soundtrack of Oscar-winning film “CRAC” by Frédéric Back. Claude’s impressive repertoire of traditional songs contains gems from Manitoba, Ontario, Québec and the maritimes, sung in a voice both textured and sentimental. He is heir to the repertoire of his longtime mentor and friend Aimé Gagnon, who died in 1997. Claude now lives in the tiny village of Ste-Béatrix, in Lanaudière, the heart of what is arguably the hotbed of traditional Québécois music (it is home to La Bottine Souriante, Norouet, Les Charbonniers, Hommage aux Aînés, Festival Mémoire et Racines…). claudemethe.com Christine Graves
Canadian contemporary-roots songwriter Christine Graves sets a mood with the space and texture of her songs. Her charm is letting the audience read between the lines. Her voice is truly remarkable, and in concert, Graves uses vocal improvisation and outside-the-box melody to capture attention. Christine has a gift for promoting audience participation through spontaneous teaching from the stage and singable songs that audiences love.
Christine served as artistic director for Blue Skies Music Festival in 2007/8. She has juried for Canada Council and Ontario Arts Council and worked as a member of Blue Skies in the Community in a granting capacity. She has toured extensively in Canada. Her songs have been short-listed in the OCFF Songs From the Heart competition. All her CD’s have aired on national CBC Radio as well as charting on numerous campus radio stations in Canada and the US. Christine was nominated for the KM Hunter Award by the Ontario Arts Council in 2000. christinegraves.com |
