Inexperienced persons, aspiring artists, youthful exuberance – there’s lots to have fun at this 12 months’s Vancouver Island MusicFest.
There are artists who’re new to the competition. Some are new to the trade. And a few are comparatively new to the world.
All of them may be seen alongside a bunch of competition favorites, nationwide and worldwide expertise, whereas Black Press will stream all the 25 hours of this system from July Sept. 11.
“Individuals assume that the time period ‘rising artist’ means younger, however that is simply not true,” mentioned MusicFest government producer Doug Cox. “There are such a lot of folks, from the infant boomers down, who selected to carry out later in life, and there are a lot of of them who’re fairly good. So “aspiring” would not essentially imply younger. “
Angel Forrest might not be new to the trade, however she’s new to Comox Valley. The Montreal blues singer landed on Hornby Island all through the pandemic and was simply nominated for a Juno Award – her first such nomination in her three decades-long profession.
“She’s sort of a Janis Joplin kind singer – only a powerhouse,” mentioned Cox. “She’s new to the competition.”
Jeff Plankenhorn is one other huge identify with new native roots.
After 20 years in Austin, Texas, Plankenhorn just lately moved to Campbell River. Cox could be very glad to have him on the competition.
“He is performed the competition as a sideman earlier than, however this might be his first ‘characteristic’ look. He is probably the greatest musicians from Austin. “
ALSO: Multi-instrumentalist Plankenhorn slips into the MusicFest
Another competition newbies are Quadra People Roots Band Willow – an all-female quartet; L∞PS, a duo from Kamloops; and Kentucky Eileen, one other group from inside.
“Kentucky Eileen are an outstanding bluegrass band from the Okanagan,” says Cox. “You’ll play with the Dust Street Opera, a harmonious group harking back to Crosby, Stills & Nash.”
Caley Watts, a younger singer / songwriter from Bella Coola, will seem within the Indigenous Showcase curated by Leonard Sumner.
“I actually consider that she’s going to make some waves on the planet as quickly as folks discover out about her. She’s fairly particular, ”mentioned Cox.
Different native first-time guests embody Candy Santa Fe who ought to carry out on the 2020 competition.
“In relation to musicians, they’re in some methods one of many Comox Valley’s best-kept secrets and techniques,” mentioned Cox of Christine Baxter and Michael Rivero. “Michael’s musicality as a Cuban guitarist is phenomenal and her songwriting is basically fascinating. I’m very glad that you’re a part of the present. “
One other Comox Valley gem, Straightforward Road, is ready to make its MusicFest debut. Annie Handley and Dave Devindisch are well-known native artists who historically spend the MusicFest weekend on the manufacturing facet. In recent times, Devindisch has been too busy as a monitor mixer on the Grierson Stage to have the ability to carry out in any respect. Their jazzy renditions of hits from the previous 50 years combined with some improbable unique cuts make for an entertaining present wherever they play.
“We shot her at 40 Knots Vineyard and it was stunning,” mentioned Cox.
From the attitude of “younger to this world,” the Parksville blues phenomenon, 14-year-old Liam Docherty will, in Cox’s phrases, “blow folks away”.
The self-proclaimed “red-haired bluesboy” has been performing in public since he was seven, made his debut CD on the age of 13 and shared the stage with Canadian blues masters akin to David Gogo, Ken Hamm and five-time Maple Blues Award winner for pianist of the 12 months, David Vest (who can also be within the line-up this 12 months).
“I am unable to look forward to folks to see him in individual,” mentioned Cox. “It is a part of the Music Circle phase that was recorded on the Tidemark Theater (Campbell River). Getting on an enormous stage like this in such a wierd state of affairs … having no viewers and 7 cameras in your face shouldn’t be a simple factor even for seasoned artists. He did it very well. “
Cox mentioned Docherty’s skills are many.
“He is not only a blues guitarist; he is a fantastic songwriter and he performs music by the likes of Tommy Emmanuel and Tony McManus who’re two of the perfect musicians on the planet and he simply does it. He is additionally an outstanding Celtic guitarist. He blows me away; only a tremendous gifted child.
“He is not a show-biz child. He is a musician. That is one of many issues I actually love about him. No person pushes him to do it. He simply does it as a result of he actually likes to play and that is fairly cool. “
The younger expertise on the competition shouldn’t be restricted to the entrance of the digicam.
Doug’s son, 16-year-old Devon Cox, was instrumental within the manufacturing of the web occasion and did many of the movie modifying.
“He performed an enormous half in it,” mentioned Doug. “Devon has saved our bums many instances. Mike Sutcliffe took care of the sound all weekend and I and Devon had been the primary workforce for the filming, together with Cresslynn (Brodhagen), our location supervisor. Mike and I are actually nearly in line to ask Devon questions as we progress by the edit part. We have now issues, and I inform you, he simply knocks me out together with his problem-solving means; he is distinctive in terms of computer systems. To be sincere, we would not have made it this weekend with out him. “
So does Devon have a future as a competition producer?
“He is too good for that,” laughs Doug. “As a competition producer, he would even have fizzled out. He is bought much more expertise than that. “
Vancouver Island MusicFest – The digital version runs Friday, July ninth, 7-11pm; Saturday, July tenth, 12pm-11pm; and Sunday, June eleventh, 12 p.m.-9 p.m.
For a full listing of performers, go to islandmusicfest.com
Comox ValleyMusic FestivalsVancouver Island MusicFest
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