IN TUNE Saskatchewan 2008:
Artist Bios

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IN TUNE Saskatchewan 2008 is a compilation CD that will be used for promotional purposes throughout 2008 and into 2009. The CD was produced by SaskMusic. The artists are a sampling of some of the province’s most promising new musicians, as well as established musicians who have recently recorded new material. This year's artists are:

Geronimo, Regina
Post Punk
www.geronimomusic.ca
Since their nomination as one of Chart Attack’s ten top Canadian bands to look out for; being added to The Agency Group's booking roster; attention from Exclaim! magazine; two visits to Pop Montreal, a showcase at NXNE, three Canadian tours, and a showcase spot at SXSW in 2008; it's safe to say that Geronimo is on the brink of breaking onto the international stage.

The Blood Lines, Saskatoon
Pop/Rock
www.thebloodlines.com
The Blood Lines began creating music in 2006 when siblings S.J. and Maygen Kardash teamed up with brothers Paul and Barrett Ross. Their self/titled debut is a marriage of ‘70s-inspired riffs and modern ideas. The record charted as high as #1 on some college stations, being named “most-played” on XM station The Verge. Additional highlights during 2007 include touring with The Dears, showcasing at NXNE in Toronto and CMJ in New York City, touring China where they performed at The Beijing Pop Festival, and winning a Western Canadian Music Award for "Outstanding Rock Recording".  2008 is well underway for The Blood Lines, as they’ve already showcased at SXSW and NXNE.  

The Rebellion, Saskatoon
Pop
www.therebellion.co.uk
In just over a decade, Josh Palmer has gone from child prodigy to Canadian celebrity. He'd toured across the nation coast to coast by the time he was 17, released indie solo albums, and was watched by 3.5 million people on most Canadian Idol episodes airing in 2005.  When forming The Rebellion, he recruited Romanian multi-instrumentalist Silviu Moldovan on bass, and Congolese percussionist Christian Kongawi on drums. The new album isn’t what you expect an ex-Idol to come out with; its mixes and instrumentation bring to mind the epic proportions of U2 or Radiohead.

Volcanoless In Canada, Saskatoon
www.volcanolessincanada.com
Volcanoless in Canada’s sound strives to combine precise rhythms and intricate melodies with the appeal and high-paced energy of modern rock music. VIC bases their sonic principle on the coordination of a triple guitar assault, where three acoustic guitars play complementary and interweaving melody lines within the rhythmical domain set by the bass and drums combo. In 2007 VIC showcased at NXNE, New Music West, S.C.E.N.E., JunoFest and the Western Canadian Music Awards. 2008 thus far has seen them showcase at Great Escape in London UK and prepare for their second full-length release.

Def 3, Regina
Hip-Hop
www.myspace.com/def3
Danny Fernandez (a.k.a. DEF 3) has been writing, recording and performing since 1999. He has progressed over the years as an innovative Canadian hip-hop artist and entrepreneur amongst his peers and in his local community. Having toured nationally and internationally, Def 3 is now a seasoned vet in the hip-hop scene. After returning in April ’06 from a tour in Japan, he participated in MuchMusic's Going Coastal episode, “Much Does Saskatchewan,” celebrating the release of his new music video, "i can't put my finger on it".  His latest work, "Dog River", is a joint effort with Canadian hip-hop powerhouse Moka Only.  Def 3 is currently working on a forthcoming album.

National Frost, Regina
Alt Rock
www.myspace.com/nationalfrost
www.youngsoulrecords.com
National Frost is a collective of musicians who attempt to move beyond the traditional confines of two guitars, bass, and drums by incorporating a Rhodes piano, organs, a saxophone, a trumpet, field recordings, synthesized sound, a modest army of effects pedals, and virtually anything else they can get to make a noise. Since forming in May 2007, National Frost has embarked on two national tours and three western Canadian tours.  Notable stops along the way have included performances at Calgary’s Sled Island Music Festival, the Pop Montreal stage at the Montreal Fringe Festival, and a sold-out NXNE showcase at Lee’s Palace. Their debut album, “Lost Gospels”, is an honest introduction to a group who has already begun work on a follow- up full-length.

Polymaths, Regina
Alt Rock
www.myspace.com/polymaths 
www.youngsoulrecords.com
Craig Fink, Matthew Blackwell, Jenn Bergen and Patrick Barks are Polymaths, a group of moderately committed university students lured from their studies by the intoxicating aroma of rock and roll. They sing of lumberjacks and abandoned buildings, impossible love affairs and mistaken identities, Jane Austen’s heroines and Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s triumphs.  Their debut EP, "So Long, Castle Road," was released on Regina's Young Soul label in mid-2008.

Sylvie, Regina
Rock
www.myspace.com/sylviemusic
www.smallmanrecords.com
Following their 2005 release, “An Electric Trace” (Smallman Records), Sylvie was honoured with the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award at their NXNE showcase. They are currently in production for their highly-anticipated third album, produced by J. Robbins of Jawbox fame, scheduled for release in summer 2008. In preparation for the release of the album, Sylvie showcased at SXSW and New Music West, as well as a variety of private label showcases in the USA.

Numbers hate Letters, Regina
Alt Rock
www.myspace.com/numbershateletters
www.youngsoulrecords.com
Numbers hate Letters released their debut album, “The Time is Right to Make New Friends” on Young Soul Records in November 2007. Their album is a collection of aggressive tracks combining rhythmic complexity, dissonant guitar work and plaintive vocals. The album was mixed and produced by Jace Lasek, who is known for his work with some of Canada’s most successful indie artists including Wolf Parade, Stars, and his own band, The Besnard Lakes. “The Time is Right to Make New Friends” is a strong outing from a Saskatchewan band whose sound is truly unique on the prairies.

soso, Saskatoon
Hip-Hop
www.clotheshorserecords.com
An artist known for weaving compelling personal narratives with his sparse, beautiful production style, soso has become a fixture of the avant-garde hip-hop/art rap movement. As an artist, writer, and beatsmith, his music is unapologetic and decidedly homemade. Cutting his production teeth on a vintage Akai S900 sampler, soso has been knocking out distinctive beats with that low end thump since the mid ‘90s. Lifting old drums and melodic bits from his expansive (and expanding) collection of used vinyl, soso has been chopping and assembling beats, developing his unique sound and earning the respect of the independent hip-hop community. Informed by culture and place, soso spins narratives that interweave family and social histories with landscape and weather. His songs are personal and refreshingly honest.

Kim Fontaine, Saskatoon
Roots/Pop
www.kimfontaine.ca
Kim loves sharing her most intimate thoughts through songwriting; revealing a deeply reflective nature. She draws inspiration from newspaper headlines - or in quietly observing day-to-day life. She can make a room stand still with her extraordinarily unique voice and acoustic guitar, and each time you listen, you can peel away another layer and discover something new in the meanings of her songs. She released her first solo album "Morning Pages" in 2004, and in 2007 released her sophomore album "Life Happens". In 2008, she showcased at SXSW.

The Sheepdogs, Saskatoon
Rock
www.myspace.com/thesheepdogs
The Sheepdogs are four young gentlemen who revel in the joy of rock ‘n roll so wholeheartedly, it's downright contagious. Having already cemented their reputation as dynamic performers in their hometown, the Sheepdogs now turn their attention to spreading their affection for rock ‘n roll cross-country. They have spent the last year covering the Great White North, playing from Vancouver to Montreal. They showcased at JunoFest and the Western Canadian Music Awards in 2007, have opened for the likes of Matt Mays and el Torpedo, and played at 2006's Saskatoon Centennial Celebration. In January 2007 they released their debut LP “Trying to Grow”, a collection of guitar-driven originals that recalls classic rockers like the Stones, CCR, and The Kinks. 2008 has already seen the completion of a follow-up album, which mixes elements of southern rock and moody soul with gleeful straight-forward rockers.

Shuyler Jansen, Saskatoon
Roots
www.shuylerjansen.com
www.blackhenmusic.com
“Today’s Remains” is Shuyler’s second solo offering, produced by Juno award-winner Steve Dawson (Kelly Joe Phelps, Jim Byrnes, Jenny Whiteley), engineered by Juno-nominated Sheldon Zaharko, and recorded at the Factory (Vancouver BC).  Culled from several lifetimes of stories and songs and inspired by the words and music of Townes Van Zandt, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Billy Joe Shaver, Shuyler has delivered this decade’s country folk classic. His wealth of material, well-scribed lyrics and ability to rock has kept audiences dedicated and dancing. As a seasoned festival and club performer, Shuyler's songs have taken him to the U.S., Netherlands, France, Belgium, U.K. and all over Canada. Shuyler's timeless and emotionally-charged live performances are about quality songs and musicianship.

Little Miss Higgins, Nokomis
Blues
www.littlemisshiggins.com
Bewitching as moonlight on water, Little Miss Higgins captivates audiences with her original, gutsy, spirited country blues songs. Crystal-clear vocals that go on forever and amazing guitar licks - she's the real thing! Though she's raring to go anywhere from solo to a full band of minstrels, LMH is usually accompanied by partner/guitar player Foy Taylor. Together they are creating innovative guitar work rooted in a country blues style and an unforgettable "top hat" stage show. Her album, “Junction City,” was nominated for a 2008 Juno Award for Blues Album of the Year. She won Best Blues Artist at the 2008 Indie Awards and her song “Middle of Nowhere” won the 2007 Independent Music Award for Best Blues Song. She was also a 2007 Maple Blues Awards nominee for New Artist of the Year, and in 2006 was a Western Canadian Music Award nominee for Outstanding Blues Recording.

Les Cireux d'Semelles, Regina/Gravelbourg
Roots
www.lescireux.com
Les Cireux d’Semelles’ musical arrangements are embellished with traditional tunes, with sounds from the guitar, fiddle, mandolin, button accordion, Irish bouzouki, didgeridoo as well as other traditional instruments. This group is becoming ever more popular on the folk music scene and pride themselves on the energy and tradition they share with others through their music’s spirit and dance. They create arrangements and melodies that not only appeal to French Canadians, but speak to many different cultures.

The Deep Dark Woods, Saskatoon
Roots
www.myspace.com/deepdarkwoods
www.blackhenmusic.com
The Deep Dark Woods began shaping their sound by drawing from influences dating back to the earliest recorded folk music. The mixing of traditional folk music with rock and roll, alt-country and psychedelia takes their powerful original material from eerie gospel numbers to upbeat murder songs, while covering plenty of ground in between. Less than two years after forming they had shared the stage with The Sadies, Magnolia Electric Co., Utah Phillips, and have toured extensively from BC to PQ, performing at several folk festivals. Their sophomore album "Hang Me, Oh Hang Me" was released on Black Hen Music in early 2008 and entered the folk/roots/blues charts at #1. They are currently touring Canada, and will soon hit the US and Europe. 

Edmund Bull,
Worldbeat
www.turtleislandmusic.com
Edmund has developed his talents and skills as a musician in the art of traditional and contemporary music, combining the two forms to create a very unique style and sound. He sings and composes music with thoughts and feelings to express the way of life of the people of Turtle Island. He began to sing pow wow as a young man with his father. Through consistent practice and perseverance, Edmund became very interested in the music world. Some of his notable work in tradional pow wow singing includes performing with group, the Red Bull Singers. Accompanied by the Red Bull Singers, Edmund has performed throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. 

The Saskatoon Symphony String Quartet, Saskatoon
Classical
www.larongearts.ca
Commissioned by: La Ronge Arts Council
Composed by: Gareth Cook
Principal string musicians of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra: Michael Swan, first violin, Marla Cole, second violin, James Legge, viola and Linda Bardutz, cello.

Jason Cullimore, Regina
Classical/Electronica
www.jasoncullimore.com
Jason Cullimore is a talented and successful composer of orchestral music and film scores. He is also a strong writer of instrumental jazz, electronica, and world music. Jason is one of the most-recognized composers in Saskatchewan, having won numerous awards including the Grand Prize in the Jazz Category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest; eight finalist-or-higher placings in the Unisong and UK Songwriting Contests; and many more. His home studio includes major orchestral, world music, drum and vocal sample libraries, a large number of software and hardware synthesizers, sequencing, pro audio and notation software. Four of his works have appeared in Regina Symphony Orchestra New Music Festivals.  His orchestral concert debut was in February 2007, when the Victoria (BC) Symphony performed his score to the classic Buster Keaton film, "Steamboat Bill, Jr."

For more information on the project please contact SaskMusic, 1-800-347-0676 or lorena@saskmusic.org.