Today, we are releasing the sixth episode in our series titled ‘The Art of Booking’ where we speak with Artistic Directors of music festivals from across Canada. In this week's episode, we speak with Samir Baijal, the Artistic Director of Hillside Festival on Guelph Lake Island in Guelph, Ontario. Samir chats about his process of booking both the lineup and the workshops and the importance of fostering community through the festival. He also delves into how Hillside serves as a model for a 'green festival' — designed to minimize its environmental impact after the event ends. Find Hillside Fe ..read more

Today, we are releasing the fifth episode in our series titled ‘The Art of Booking’ where we speak with Artistic Directors of music festivals from across Canada. In this week's episode, we chat to Doug Cox, the Artistic Director of Vancouver Island MusicFest in the Comox Valley in Courtenay, BC. Doug discusses the format of this campground festival, which includes six distinct stages. He also explains his process of booking artists for the festival each year and dives into why he looks for artists that want to engage with the festival in more ways than just playing their set on stage. Find V ..read more

Today on ReFolkUs, we chat to Luke Wallace. Luke touches on the ways in which he incorporates climate justice into his music by inspiring others through messages of hope, unity, and power. Luke also discusses his belief in initiating change collectively rather than individual thinking and addresses his perspective on how the music industry and artists can respond to the climate emergencies that we face. Find Luke Wallace online: Instagram Facebook Patreon Website ____________________ Luke Wallace is a songwriter, speaker, choral arranger and environmental champion from the Coast Salish Te ..read more

Today, we are releasing the fourth episode in our series titled ‘The Art of Booking’ where we speak with Artistic Directors of music festivals from across Canada. In this week's episode, we chat to Louis Robitaille, the Artistic Director of Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Louis discusses the format of the festival, which includes performance sets on the main stage, fiddle and dance workshops, and song circles. He also touches on his process of building the lineups each year and how he seeks to book artists based on the the ..read more

Today on ReFolkUs, we chat to Aysanabee. We discuss the incredible trajectory of his career — from his roots as a journalist to a fulltime music artist. He also delves into how he became the first artist signed to Ishkōdé Records, reflects on his experience performing at the 2023 Juno Awards and discusses why he feels every musician should be attending music conferences. Buy/Listen to Aysanabee’s latest EP Here and Now, released October 2023 Catch Aysanabee’s upcoming tour with Allison Russell  Follow Aysanabee: Instagram Facebook Website _________________ Juno-nominated artist Aysan ..read more

Today, we are releasing the third episode in our series titled ‘The Art of Booking’ where we speak with Artistic Directors of music festivals from across Canada. In this week's episode, we chat to James Keelaghan, the Artistic Director of Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival in Owen Sound, Ontario. James chats to us about what he looks for when programming the lineup and booking artists for the festival. He also shares how his career as a touring musician has taken him to festivals around the world, allowing him to gather inspiration to incorporate into the fabric of Summerfolk - elevating the ..read more

Today on ReFolkUs, we chat to Janice Jo Lee about the interplay between identity and creativity. Janice discusses how her Korean identity informs the narrative of her creative expression, and how music and art that is rooted in personal identity evoke both empathy and connection. Janice also fills us in on her latest album, Ancestor Song and discusses the themes that are present within. Buy/Listen to Janice Jo Lee’s latest album Ancestor Song, released November 2023. Follow Janice Jo Lee Instagram Facebook Website ____________________ Janice Jo Lee (she/they) aka E Sing Hey, is an award-w ..read more

This week on ReFolkUs, we chat with Just Prince about his musical influences from both Eastern classical and Western music. Through his superb musicianship and artistry, he weaves these influences together to create a distinctive sound that is uniquely his own. Just Prince also discusses his ambitions for the future as a music artist, his strategies for overcoming self-doubt and discusses his recent achievement of winning the 2023 Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award for his song 'Kamli'. Listen to 'Kamli'Listen to the Hariharan Ghazal in a blues scale Find Just Prince on social media:Instagra ..read more

In this week’s episode of ReFolkUs, we chat with Barbra Lica about the urgent need for a more sustainable music industry. Focusing on the value artists bring and the importance of prioritizing joy in music-making, Barbra offers a unique perspective on the hurdles confronting artists within the industry and ideas for overcoming them on both a personal and collective level. Buy/Stream Barbra Lica’s new Christmas single ‘On Christmas Eve’ here. Follow Barbra Lica on social media: Twitter Instagram FacebookYoutube Website ____________________ JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter-producer Barbra Lic ..read more

In this week’s episode of ReFolkUs, we chat to entertainment lawyer Byron Pascoe, a partner at Edwards Creative Law, about the world of entertainment law and the important role a lawyer plays in a musician or creative worker's career.  We delve into negotiating contracts, knowing your rights, and how the right lawyer will serve as both an advocate and advisor to help navigate the complex landscape of the music and entertainment business. For more about Byron and Edwards Creative Law, visit:  www.edwardslaw.ca Follow Edwards Creative Law: Instagram Facebook Linkedin _______________ ..read more