SaskMusic

All Mighty Voice - What I Hold (Prince Albert, SK)

www.allmightyvoice.com

Backed by chilling four-part harmonies, All Mighty Voice plays a rugged blend of Alternative, Folk/Rock. Weaving elegance, grit and simplicity, they are backed by a wall of sound built with Upright Bass, Percussion, Piano/Organ, Electric/Acoustic Guitars and Harmonica. From different paths, four song writers come together as a family and let THAT shine through their live show.

Pimpton - My Day ft. Shantel Stewart (Regina, SK)

https://www.facebook.com/thepimpton

Canadian rapper, 24 year old Kyriel “Pimpton” Roberts combines old-school hip-hop influences, experimental production, and thought-provoking lyrical flow to create a distinctive brand of hip-hop. He tends to strongly identify with the struggles of the middle class, and those of visible minorities. Pimpton’s reflections on these problems are conveyed through his lyricism. He released two major albums in 2013 - The Deal Breaker: Manifest Destiny in February 2013, followed by Killa Call Me Killa Vol. 1 in September 2013. In September of 2014 Pimpton released Killa Call Me Killa Vol. 2 and is now embarking on a nationwide tour.

Scott Richmond - Rain On The Rooftop (Regina, SK)

https://www.facebook.com/scottrichmondmusic/

Scott Richmond is a Saskatchewan-born Americana artist who blends folk, country, blues, and rock’n’roll to create a sound that is innovative, captivating, and extremely soulful. Originally from the small town of Gravelbourg in the Southern region of the province, Richmond grew up on a farm where the relevant sounds of country music shaped his musical tastes throughout his youth. It wasn't until he reached the age of 19 that he taught himself to play guitar, whereupon he began winning multiple singer-songwriter competitions across Canada. For his live performance, Richmond and his band combine world-class musicianship with a dynamic and soulful performance.

Keiffer McLean - Teeth (Regina, SK)

https://www.facebook.com/keiffer.mclean/

Despite his relatively young age, Keiffer Mclean has made a prodigious progression as a solo folk artist. Hailing from Regina, SK, Keiffer began writing songs in his mid-teens and has since developed into a songwriting virtuoso who has made appearances at several high-profile festivals, including the Cathedral Village Arts Festival, the Regina Folk Festival, Musikfest, Lilacfest and JUNOfest. His debut release, a seven-song self-titled EP, garnered him a “Young Performer of the Year” nomination at the 2013 Canadian Folk Music Awards, and his full-length album, Drama in the Attic, garnered him another nomination in the “Young Performer of the Year” category at the 2014 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

Jay Semko - Ocean In Your Eyes (Govan, SK)

www.jaysemko.com

Jay Semko is an award-winning songwriter, composer, performer, and voiceover artist. In 2012 he was inducted into the Western Canadian Music Hall of Fame as a member of Canadian pop legends the Northern Pikes, and has released 8 solo albums. He is known worldwide as a music composer on the internationally syndicated TV series, "Due South"(for which he received two nominations for Canada's Gemini Awards - Best Music Score in a Dramatic Series). He was nominated in the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards (formerly the Gemini Awards) in the category of Best Original Music for a Non-Fiction Program or Series ("Dust Up"). He has won the MMPIA Blizzard and SMPIA awards for Best Music Score as music composer for the movie, "Paris Or Somewhere". Jay is also a full ACTRA member (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists), and his voice can be heard on television productions and ads on radio and TV across North America.

Close Talker - For The Sun (Saskatoon, SK)

www.closetalker.ca

Formed in Saskatoon in early 2012 Close Talker: Will Quiring (vocals, guitar), Matthew Kopperud (guitar, vocals), Jeremy Olson (vocals, bass), and Chris Morien (vocals, drums) produced an independently released gem of a debut with Timbers in 2013 that was widely raved about for its “edgy vocals and gentle piano lines and orchestral ambition.” The band went on to become finalists in the national CBC Searchlight competition for Canada’s Best New Artist. They subsequently received substantial airplay across the nation, including spins on CBC R2’s The Drive. The band recently released their second full-length album, Flux, via Nevado Music.

DGS - Thank You (Regina, SK)

http://www.samuraichamps.com/

Hailing from the Queen City, DGS is the new face of contemporary hip-hop in Regina’s rapidly growing hip-hop scene. Majorly influenced by recent Canadian heavyweights such as Drake, Shad, and the Weeknd, DGS offers their own variety of hip-hop by using their diversity as individual artists to drive their new-wave sound. After only a year together, Nono, Merv, and Jeah have already made a name for themselves as DGS. This summer, they performed at Regina’s first Trifecta Music Festival and also earned a spot in Summer Invasion’s evening lineup by winning the grand prize from Summer Invasion’s Battle of the Bands. DGS’ unique sound and underlying concept ultimately come as the result of their Southeast Asian backgrounds working in conjunction with their Canadian identity. With their musical, as well as cultural, diversities as their primary weapon, DGS aims to redefine what it means to be “Canadian hip-hop”.

Wizards - Manikewan Ocean Dreams (Saskatoon, SK)

https://www.facebook.com/nobodyandthewizards

Wizards are a psychedelic rock band from Saskatoon, SK. In 2013 they released their debut EP, Loser Surf Death, through The Sound & Silence Collective and embarked on their first Western Canadian tour, playing such festivals as Rifflandia in Victoria, Sled Island in Calgary, Endless Bummer in Edmonton, Ness Creek and MoSo Fest. In 2014 Wizards continued on the festival circuit, and also released a split 7" with local Saskatoon band, The Faps. On January 31st, 2015 Wizards released their debut full-length album, sdraziW, through The Sound & Silence Collective, and have plans for a spring/summer tour.

Tenille Arts - Buy Me A Record (Weyburn, SK)

www.tenillearts.com

Tenille Arts is just 20 years old, and has already created quite a buzz in Canada and the United States. She’s won countless talent competitions and was a finalist on the Idol style show, “Karaoke Star Junior” in 2009 (CMT/YTV/Corus Entertainment). She placed second in the CKRM Big Country Talent Show, and has performed on some of Canada’s biggest stages. For the second year in a row, Tenille was a Top 3 competitor in the Big Dog 92.7 “Next Big Thing” competition, performing original music at the Whiskey Saloon and El Dorado in Regina, SK. She recently had 6 performances during the CCMA week in Edmonton, and made countless connections and fans during that time. Tenille has been writing since she was 15 years old and travels regularly to Nashville and LA to write with some of the best in the industry. She is really looking forward to releasing a single and album later this year!

The Dead South - Honey You (Regina, SK)

www.thedeadsouth.com

The Dead South is a four-piece acoustic ensemble based in Regina, Saskatchewan. With Nate Hilts' gritty vocals and aggressive guitar strumming, Scott Pringle's soaring harmonies and mandolin chops, Colton Crawford's blazing banjo licks and steady kick drum, and Danny Kenyon's prominent cello melodies, The Dead South blends elements of folk, bluegrass, classical, and rock which results in a unique, modern, and authentic blend of boot-stompin' acoustic music. Since the inception of the band, The Dead South has continually pushed the energy of their live shows, as well as pushed what is possible between four ordinary acoustic instruments. The unique abilities and viewpoints of each band member make The Dead South an impossible band to duplicate, and a fixture of the Regina music scene that will not soon be leaving.

Samara Yung - Stone (Yorkton, SK)

www.samarayung.ca

Samara Yung has been performing professionally from a very young age. Samara’s hometown is Yorkton, Saskatchewan, where her roots run deep and she currently resides. In 2012, Samara won two SCMA Awards, for Female Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for “Everyday Matters”. In 2013 Samara was honoured to win two more SCMA’s for Song of the Year and Video of the year for “Mardi Gras”. In addition to her busy schedule she finds time to be an anti-bullying activist, encouraging children to believe in themselves and to always follow their dreams. Yung is currently hard at work on her new album, titled I am Me, alongside CCMA Award winning producer, Bart McKay in Saskatoon.

Slow Down Molasses - Summer Sun (Saskatoon, SK)

www.slowdownmolasses.ca

Saskatoon’s Slow Down Molasses are a six-piece indie rock collective that feature a rotating cast of collaborating musicians joining them on stage and in the studio. Called “the Broken Social Scene of the prairies” by Toronto's Exclaim! Magazine, the group takes cues from the wide open spaces of their home, crafting expansive, texture-heavy pop songs that are prone to breaking into storm squalls of drone, delay and feedback. After the 2012 self-release of their debut full-length album Walk Into the Sea, Slow Down Molasses turned to producer and prairies ex-pat Jace Lasek of the Besnard Lakes for their forthcoming album Burnt Black Cars. They have developed the dreamy vocal arrangements of Walk Into the Sea, sharpening the songwriting into concise blasts of synth-driven melodies and full-on rock choruses. Burnt Black Cars will be Slow Down Molasses’ first international, label-supported release.

Library Voices - Antimatter Of The Heart (Regina, SK)

https://www.facebook.com/libraryvoices

Every winter thousands upon thousands of Saskatchewan residents pack up and head south to escape the soul crushing conditions of the prairie winter. While most of the province was basking in the dessert sun from their campsite in some Arizona WalMart parking lot, Library Voices rented an old town hall in the frozen rural village of Kronau (population: 209) and bunkered down to write their sophomore release. As if that weren’t enough, they then packed up the van and drove headlong into the heart of winter on a cross-country road trip to commit the songs to tape. The result is a bright eyed, feel good rave up that sounds like it’s been soaked in sunshine and gin sodas. Fueled by criminal amounts of espresso and a hundred bottles of gas station wine, the album was recorded in just ten days with engineer/ producer Jace Lasek (Wolf Parade, Besnard Lakes, Suuns) at Breakglass Studios in Montreal.

One Bad Son - Black Buffalo (Saskatoon, SK)

www.onebadson.com

One Bad Son’s new album, Black Buffalo, is the record they’ve wanted to make since forming in 2004 and it promises to hit rock fans around the world in a big way. Fueled by the success of three major radio hits from their 2012 self-titled album (Scarecrows, It Ain’t Right and Retribution Blues), the prairie-reared four-piece band has been touring constantly for the past two years, gaining legions of loyal fans across the country.

Eric Taylor - Caught Me (Saskatoon, SK)

Eric Taylor has been writing music since he started playing guitar at the age of 10. His interest has since expanded to singing and playing piano as well. Now 23 years old, Eric’s love for music and songwriting is as strong as ever. In 2012 Eric attended the Nimbus School of Recording Arts and completed the Music Business Certificate Program. There, he immersed himself in the business and learned everything from show promotion to music law. He saw the caliber of music that was needed to make a splash in a difficult industry and has spent years working tirelessly at improving his craft. This, paired with his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication, make him ready to emerge and show the world he has what it takes. Eric hopes to be Saskatchewan’s newest homegrown success story.

Dagan Harding - Pretty Expert (Regina, SK)

www.facebook.com/pages/Dagan-Harding

After a successful career with indie band Despistado (Jade Tree) in the early 2000s, and rock ensemble Geronimo in the late 2000s, Dagan Harding has spent the last four years honing his musical ability in Montreal, QC. Upon his recent return to the prairies he has brought with him a new batch of songs and his unique approach to writing, singing and playing — all influenced by his neighbour, Leonard Cohen, and bands The Smiths, The Sonics and punk legends Fugazi. With over a decade of experience under his belt, Dagan’s musical ideas host sensitive and experimental arrangements with a pop-delivery impressive to music fans from all backgrounds. He has played alongside many of Canada’s most successful artists including making appearances at SXSW with Sam Roberts and Metric and touring with the Weakerthans throughout the United States.

Megan Nash - Deer Head (Palmer, SK)

www.megannash.ca

Megan Nash is a Canadian singer-songwriter based in Palmer, SK. She combines an honest portrayal of her human experience with a powerful voice to create a moving performance. Nash has opened for the likes of Serena Ryder, Amelia Curran, The Heartbroken and Del Barber. She has toured the majority of the country, including the Northwest Territories. Nash’s country background is evident in her current style, but her songs are heavily influenced by artists such as Neko Case and Stevie Nicks. Nash just released her second album, Song Harvest: Volume One.

Def3 - Wildlif3 (Regina, SK)

www.def3.ca

Def 3 has been a major contributor to the Saskatchewan arts scene not only through his work as an established MC, but also as an experienced graffiti artist and highly active DJ. With over 100 international shows in the past three years alone, he has gained international notoriety through his active touring schedule and repeat official showcases at festivals such as SXSW, Shambhala, Juno Fest, NXNE, CMW, Breakout West, and Prairie Scene, even headlining the Saskatchewan pavilion for the opening ceremonies at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. His contagious songs combined with his interactive and high-energy live show has landed him gigs around the globe.  He has released several music videos all landing rotation on Much Music’s Much Vibe and Rapcity. His most recent "So Far" from his June 2014 release Wildlif3 is currently receiving a lot of airplay from the station. His newest album with Saskatoon native super producer Factor is titled WILDLIF3 and was released on June 24th via Urbnet Records. In its first week of sales It climbed to number 6 overall for best-selling albums on the Itunes Canada Hip Hop charts. It also recently reached #1 overall in Canada on Earshot Magazines' college radio Hip Hop charts (Sept 16) after being in the charts for over 18 weeks.

The Steadies - Starcity Shakedown (Saskatoon, SK)

www.thesteadies.ca

The Steadies take the explosively popular Top 40 sound and mix it with rocksteady and reggae influences, creating what they’ve dubbed, “island rock.” No matter your mood, The Steadies pick you up and carry you to the beach in your mind, the club in your dreams, the place you go to clear your head and dance. Their latest release, Starcity Shakedown is an ode to the band’s rocksteady roots and continues to build on the band’s signature style. Starcity Shakedown marks their first release since the 2012 self-titled EP which garnered a top-50 hit in Canada and was nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award. Ever the road warriors, The Steadies play upwards of 100 shows each year, making them one of the busiest bands in Saskatchewan. They have headlined numerous festivals, showcased at industry events and have shared the stage with Ziggy Marley, The Roots, Blue Rodeo, The Wailers and more.

Rubiks - Uh Oh (Regina, SK)

22-year-old Rubiks has already shared the province’s biggest stages with some of the world’s biggest names in hip-hop, such as Andre Nickatina, Swollen Members, Raekwon, Bone Thugs & Harmony, Waka Flocka Flame, and Big Sean. From a small-town rapper to a name spreading from coast to coast, Rubiks has hyped crowds with his addictive anthems at numerous showcases. Featured in heavyweight hip-hop publications such as HipHopCanada, Rubiks continues to garner attention across the country as Western Canada’s force to reckon with. Knowing fair and well that great success takes time, Rubiks is creeping on the come up while the rest plays catch up.

Rah Rah (Regina, SK)

Streaming: Good Winter

Physical discs and download cards will contain: Be Your Man

www.rahrahband.com

The members of Rah Rah share a collective mentality, taking turns taking the lead, both in songwriting and while on stage. The melodic male/female vocals and shared instrumentation traded off seamlessly, plus a true level of fun throughout ensures that a Rah Rah show will not disappoint. They were crowned “Best New Canadian Band” and “Best New Alternative Band” by iTunes Canada in 2009. The band has toured incessantly behind their previous two albums, sharing tours with the likes of Minus The Bear in Canada and USA, Wintersleep in Europe and Canada, and label-mates Said The Whale. The Poet’s Dead made the long-list for the 2013 Polaris Prize, and took home Independent Album of the Year honours at the 2013 WCMAs. Most recently, the album was nominated for the 2014 JUNO award for Alternative Album of the Year. Their newest album will see an official release in the UK on June 9th.

Chris Henderson - I Sure Hope He Loves You (Regina, SK)

www.chrishendersonmusic.com

Chris Henderson’s blend of a modern country sound, with strong traditional roots has quickly helped him become one of Canada’s busiest Country Recording Artists. Since his debut album released in 2008, the former high school teacher has been playing shows and touring in Canada relentlessly, and has released 8 singles to Canadian Country radio to date. His sophomore album, My Turn, was released in March of 2014, and featured several songs that garnered attention including, “Don’t Miss Your Kiss Goodbye”, “I Sure Hope He Loves You”, and “Crazy’s Comin’ Outta The Bottle”.

Kirby Criddle - Wolf Willow (Saskatoon, SK)

kirbycriddle.bandcamp.com

Kirby Criddle would surely steal your heart, if you hadn't already handed it over. This beguiling prairie girl makes music for late nights, for lovers and friends, and for you when you feel alone. You can feel it in your bones; this is music for your whole body. Having weathered her fair share of tumultuous storms in recent years, Criddle has returned with a sharpened maturity that shines through in simple, crushing solemnity. Her first album was released in 2009, and she spent the much of the following years touring, recording, writing, collaborating, baby making and acquiring a taste for scotch. Criddle's much-anticipated sophomore album, RITUALS, was produced by Andy Shauf, released November 24, 2014 and made possible thanks to funding from SaskMusic’s Investment Program and Rawlco Radio’s 10K20.

Kelsey Fitch - Crazy (Shellbrook, SK)

Kelsey's vocals have earned her the winning title of several vocal competitions, a Top 200 spot on Canadian Idol, and Rising Star and Female Vocalist of the year Nominations at the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards. With her seductive smoky alto, Kelsey continues to captivate audiences, bringing her quirky and classic country charm to her unique version of heartfelt, confident songs which reflect an appealing portrait of this freewheeling, small town country girl. Working alongside multiple Canadian Country Music Association awards winner, Producer Bart Mckay, Kelsey will release her highly anticipated debut EP Play Nice in 2015.

Nick Faye & The Deputies - Sheryl Crow (Regina, SK)

nickfaye.bandcamp.com

Nick Faye & The Deputies are a band from the deepest depths of the dusty derelict Canadian Prairie (Regina, SK). Over the past 2 years, they have been selected to perform at events such as NXNE, CCMA's, JUNOfest, The Gateway Music Festival and Folk Alliance International. Worry, the newest full length offering by Nick Faye & The Deputies, explores the complexities that mental illnesses introduce to an individual attempting to lead a healthy and happy lifestyle. This past summer, Faye toured across Canada from coast-to-coast with Danny Olliver (Regina, SK, Eastern Canada) and Megan Nash (Moose Jaw, SK, Western Canada) to promote the album.

Danny Olliver - Pack Up (Regina, SK)

https://www.facebook.com/DannyOliverproject/

Danny Olliver, a singer/songwriter from Regina, Saskatchewan, got his start on a three string Yamaha he discovered in the back alley near his home. A fast learner, he quickly added three more strings, and transitioned into writing his own music. Inspired by guitarists like Don Ross, Antoine Dufour, and Andy Mckee, Danny began writing primarily acoustic pieces. His beginnings as a fingerstyle guitarist gave him a unique edge when he added vocals to his first stage performances in 2008. His music tells a story, both in instrumental melody and in the lyrics. Complex acoustic guitar accompanies a smooth, pure voice that seems to effortlessly reach falsetto or soar into crescendo at all the right times. With plans for a second album to be released in Spring 2015, Danny Olliver is a Canadian artist to look for.

Alex Runions - Little Bit Of Sunshine (Regina, SK)

http://www.alexrunions.com

A familiar voice in the Saskatchewan country music scene, it’s his passionate dedication to song writing and co-writing that has helped Alex Runions become a sought after musician across the country. A tireless devotion to an honest and heartfelt approach to his music has helped Alex resonate with an already dedicated fan base while also garnering many new fans and friends along the way. Performing across the province and throughout the country for over a decade, Alex has opened for many prominent country acts including Gord Bamford, Aaron Pritchett and Rodney Atkins while also closing out performances from Dallas Smith, The Road Hammers and Neil McCoy. Winning the 2013 Big Dog 92.7FM/SaskMusic ‘Next Big Thing’ competition would open the door for his sophomore album currently being recorded at two-time CCMA Studio of the Year, MCC Recording Studios with a release date scheduled for early 2015.

The Pistolwhips - Whatcha Doin (Saskatoon, SK)

The Pistolwhips, a Saskatoon based band, infuse indie rock songs with bluesy guitars, driving rhythms, and hooky vocals. Singer/guitarist Rylan Schultz, bassist Zach Davies, drummer Tallus Scott, and guitarist Paul Kuzbik draw their audiences in with their collective vibe, catchy songs, and soulful rock-out sessions. Taking influence from bands like Led Zeppelin, The Arctic Monkeys, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, their four strong personalities are easily identifiable throughout their songs.

Jeffery Straker - These Bones (Regina, SK)

www.jeffstraker.com

Singer-songwriter-pianist Jeffery Straker performs over 100 shows per year across Canada. He has recorded for CBC radio’s ‘Canada Live’, had a music video chart in the top 10 on Much More Music TV and has toured internationally as far as Ghana and Peru. His tour stops range from intimate house concerts to club & theatre shows and include recent sold-out concerts (capacity 2000) with the Regina and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestras. Straker is now set to launch a new collection of songs in March 2015. The 12-song album, North Star Falling, was produced by Dean Drouillard (Royal Wood, Justin Rutledge) and weaves a new sound around Straker’s songwriter-piano-pop. Electric guitars, horns, & strings as well as acoustic guitar and banjo help set the stage. The launch of the album (Acronym/Universal Canada) includes a national tour with performances from coast to coast.

Friends of Foes - Winter (Saskatoon, SK)

www.facebook.com/friendsoffoesmusic

Hailing from the heart of the Saskatchewan prairies, Friends of Foes hit their listeners with a roaring wall of sonic talent. From soft, gentle melodies to full on audio assaults, the heavy drum lines and harmony-laden choruses from these newcomers are anything but subtle. Having already shared the stage with Canadian heavy-weights We Are The City, Royal Canoe, Rah Rah, Zerbin, Slow Down Molasses and many more, Friends of Foes has the stage presence to back up their impressive and boisterous sound. Look for Friends of Foes on stage in 2015, with a series of Western Canadian tour dates in support of their new record.

League of Wolves - Runaway (Saskatoon, SK)

https://www.facebook.com/leagueofwolves

They started as small-town boys in an unknown group playing cover songs at open mics, but Saskatoon rockers League of Wolves have evolved into a well-respected touring band, playing high energy rock with a purpose. These four young men have spent two years building their reputation the old-fashioned way: with live shows and raw recordings. Their hardworking prairie values feed into eminently listenable rock influenced by Kings of Leon and Canadian rocker Sam Roberts. The newest League of Wolves release, which is due out in late April 2015, was recorded entirely in an abandoned schoolhouse in Piapot SK. Many of the tracks on League of Wolves feature stories of heartbroken young men trying to keep from losing love. The thing is, they're fun songs about heartbreak, the kind that make you want to sing along and dance all night at the bar.

Jen Lane - Lost (Saskatoon, SK)

www.jenlane.com

If Lane sounds like far more mature an artist than her age would suggest, you can chalk it up to her early start in music. Egged on by a supportive group of friends and family members, Lane recorded a debut album at age 16 and earned a Prairie Music Award nomination the following year. Subsequent gigs included playing the Ness Creek main stage, and opening for Tegan and Sara in both Regina and Saskatoon. Her “grown-up” debut was 2006’s S/T album, which earned a Western Canadian Music Award nomination for Best Independent Album. From there, she went on to record For The Night, which was nominated for “Roots Solo Recording of the year” at the 2011 WCMAs.

Fern - Prairie Skies (Saskatoon, SK)

wearefernmusic.bandcamp.com

Fern is the folk project of Saskatoon based artist Rachel Fowlie-Neufeld. Wrought by the Prairies’ cityscapes and gravel roads alike, Fern finds her strength in poetic lyrics and understated arrangements that aim to get you right in the gut with songs about angst, love, and those weird thoughts you get stuck in your head right before bed. Over the past year Fern has toured Saskatchewan with Megan Nash and released her debut studio EP, Strange Fingerprints, through the Sound and Silence Collective, an up and coming indie label based in Saskatoon. Fern’s next move is a Saskatchewan tour with plans for a new LP and Canada wide tour in 2015.

Jesse Brown - Prairie Wind (Saskatoon, SK)

www.jessebrown.net

Jesse brown is a Saskatoon based piano teacher, performer, session musician, and composer with an extensive history of work that dates back to 1992. Jesse was fortunate to be mentored by veteran prairie performers Martin Janovsky and Ron Paley(Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Frank Sinatra). Jesse Performed regularly as an ambient musician in numerous venues, most notably Winnipeg’s prestigious Hotel Fort Garry, working opposing shifts with Chantal Kreviazuk, honing his skills, and putting in his 10,000 hours. In the past dozen years, Jesse has toured and performed with Eileen Laverty, The Fancyladds, The Steadies, and Wide Mouth Mason, just to name a few. Jesse has recently recorded two full length albums of solo piano pieces, the latest in a collection of 14 original piano pieces that was composed with financial support from the Saskatchewan Arts Board. December (2012) and Heartwork (2014) were recorded and produced independently by Jesse Brown.

The Faps - BLK MTL (Saskatoon, SK)

Blair Colwell and Skyler Cafferata have been creating music together for years, developing a sound that is both broad and focused. Between the two of them, artistic influences are vast, but collide amongst Nick Cave, Modest Mouse, and Daughters. Their brand of fast, heavy music is rooted in post-punk and indie rock, but flirts with hardcore, blues, jazz, psych, and pop. Often built on quick danceable rhythms and catchy guitar lines, their songs showcase an affinity for experimenting with song structure – timings, key changes, or total mood shifts. While this may paint a messy and absurd picture, the vicious guitar-and-drum vessel of The Faps keeps an intriguing sense of familiarity, no matter how wild and erratic the sound becomes. Having toured Canada extensively since their inception in July 2012, The Faps are at home both on the road and on the stage.

Shooting  Guns - Barn Burner (Saskatoon, SK)

www.shootingguns.ca

Shooting Guns are hard at work fortifying the heavy end of the psychedelic spectrum. Hailing from the subarctic wasteland of Saskatoon, SK, they haunt the foggy moor between Sabbath-styled doom riffery (Electric Wizard, Sleep) and heavy pulse-riding kraut-rock (Neu!, Circle, Wooden Shjips). Centered around elephantine riffs, these delay-soaked songs rumble and hiss with analog synth-conjured monstrosities which surge to devour frequency ranges beyond the upper and lower ranges available to even the heaviest doom outfits. This pentacle of demon conjurers formed in 2008, a band of veteran collaborators in Saskatoon's prolific music scene, each with over a decade of touring and music production experience. Shooting Guns recently scored the soundtrack to Canadian horror-comedy WolfCop and released the Official Soundtrack in Sept 2014 in partnership with One Way Static, RidingEasy Records, and Cinecoup.

Royal Red Brigade - Daggers Edge (Regina, SK)

Royal Red Brigade delivers an explosive brand of Punk Rock N’ Roll from the cold, dead heart of the Canadian Prairie, influenced by classic bands of punk, garage and rock lore, as well as by the innovative, genre-defying spirit of contemporary incarnations. Their musical catalogue (including 2010’s debut EP Out of the Trenches, 2012’s full length Give into the Violence, and the latest EP Seasides from 2014) demonstrates a dynamic variety of dark sonic atmospheres. From frantic to frightening, the band's recorded work exhibits depth and diversity, despite the band’s truly unified and distinct sound. Equally energetic on stage, Royal Red Brigade also have extensive touring and live show experience, having embarked on multiple national and international tours. They have also supported many notable acts at home, including DOA, The Flatliners, SNFU, Cobra Skulls, and many more. The band truly values authenticity, both in the creative expression of song, and in the communities that cultivate subversive art forms. Backed only by independent label support and a vicious DIY drive, Royal Red Brigade are ready to enact their plans for world domination. Destroy!!!

Lavagoat - Ice Giants (Saskatoon, SK)

http://lavagoat.bandcamp.com

Lavagoat is an otherworldly concoction of doom, death, thrash, psych, '70s hard rock and heavy metal brewed in Saskatoon, SK since 2007. Having released 2 full-length records, 2 EPs and 1 demo, Lavagoat continues to work on new material and will be releasing a 3rd full length before the end of 2015.

Orphan Mothers - Towers (Regina, SK)

https://www.facebook.com/orphanmothers/

Jon Neher and Eden Rohatensky are both contributors to the Regina music scene, but had never collaborated with each other before Orphan Mothers. The two come together to create a sound that is both energetic and soothing, inspired by everything from late 80’s pop to elevator music. Orphan Mothers released their first single, Towers, as well as a music video to accompany it in March of 2014. Quickly exciting the ears of those who heard it, Orphan Mothers were asked by many to perform and have entertained many through their select live appearances in Regina. They plan to release their debut album sometime in 2015 and will begin spreading their performances beyond their hometown.

Living Room - Stasis (Saskatoon, SK)

Living Room is the solo project of Alexander Stooshinoff, beginning in 2012 in his hometown of Saskatoon, SK. Stasis, the project’s debut EP, is a six-part ambient suite, home recorded by Stooshinoff over a nine-month period. Stooshinoff worked in collaboration with visual artist Zac Knuttila to produce a full-length video designed to be a visual companion to the music. It is a meditation on the pillars that ground us, and a reconciliation of the forces that change us. It is an exploration of self, with songs intended to evoke the sounds and emotions of Stooshinoff’s Ayahuasca experiences, repetition and continuity meant to reflect a constant and disoriented headspace, and lyrics about value, loss, and the importance of self-control. Stasis was self-released in the summer of 2014.