Sponsored by Folk on the Rocks | Poster design by Aine Kavanagh
With 8 weeks to go to the 2015 festival, Folk on the Rocks is putting the finishing touches on our lineup. As well as a plethora of amazing artists and performers, we’ll have a brand new and interactive Kids Zone this year, as well as the International Food Court, One World Area and a range of local artisan and vendors.
Here are four MORE acts that have been added to the bill:
Godson
Godson, one of Yellowknife’s favourite sons and preeminent hip-hop artist, makes a triumphant return to the Folk on the Rocks stage this summer. Health issues prevented Godson from performing at last year’s festival but since then he’s been his usual busy self. After re-shooting part of his Friday Night music video after a much publicized spat with the GNWT, Godson completed his 11th album, Aliens. He continues to draw from the local talent pool on his recordings, enlisting help from YK notables Tiffany Ayalik and Grey Gritt on several of Aliens tracks. With a renewed vigor that is showcased on this new material and a Yellowknife heart grown fonder with absence, this year’s festival promises to be a triumphant return for Yellowknife’s Godson!
AGAAQTOQ
Each year Folk crowds are treated to fresh new faces, new sounds and emerging talents. Agaaqtoq embodies this trifecta. Bringing his unique blend of traditional and modern influences, this budding singer/songwriter shares vignettes of life on the western shore of Hudson Bay sung in his native Inuktitut. His recent travels away from his home in Arviat have allowed him to hone his talents and develop his stage legs. His growing resume includes a self-titled debut album along with appearances at the Alianait Arts Festival and Toonik Tyme in Iqaluit. He has also had the opportunity in the last year to perform and rub elbows with some more seasoned troubadours, notably David Myles and J.P. Cormier. All signs point to a new rising northern star at this year’s festival.
Quantum Tangle
What’s in a name? It’s a frequently asked question with often surprising answers. This year two very familiar musical figures in Yellowknife will be performing at Folk on the Rocks under a new name and new inspiration. Grey Gritt and Tiffany Ayalik have been distinguishing themselves as artistic virtuosos locally and beyond for years. They come together this year as Quantum Tangle to deliver a self-described fusion of old-world sounds and new world flair. Mixing styles and flavours that reflect their individual artistic journeys (spanning across the north and beyond), Gritt and Ayalik promise a sensory overload of sight, sound and spirit…and no doubt – energy.
IVA
Kathleen Merritt and her band, known collectively as Iva, are traditional Inuit musicians. Originally from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Kathleen is an accomplished Throat singer who has been performing for the last 7 years. She has been very involved in creating and facilitating outreach programmes in her native Nunavut. She has delivered several workshops in Inuit throat singing in the Northern communities, as well as a recent series of workshops for students in Baker Lake fusing Hip hop with traditional throat singing! She releases her first album just in time for the festival this July and we are excited to see what’s in store.
