Sunday, September 1, 2013

It was a beautiful day to sit beside the ocean and listen to music. It wasn’t too hot (we were in the shade of a large awning for most of the day) and there was a bit of a breeze every now and again. To hear clips of these (and other) performers go to the Sunshine Music Festival website.

Brodie Dawson spent a couple of years in Yellowknife, but long after we were gone. Playing with her, on the left, is a good friend of Pat’s. Pat scored a free CD from Brodie when he chatted with Tracy after the set.

Joe Stanton played The Hub 101 restaurant during the Film Festival this past winter. Pat saw his show, but I chose the movie instead. It was nice to have another chance to see him.

Johnny Galactic did a lively set. The drummer was there with his wife/partner and very small baby. At one point Pat saw him with the baby on his chest in a snuggly and a guitar case in each hand. Ah, the life of a musician dad!

Chris Velan came from Montreal and, although I enjoyed his set, it wasn’t until his last two songs that I decided I really liked him. We bought a CD, but neither of the songs I liked were on it. We knew that when we picked up the CD, but when you are in the autograph line it is awkward to back out! I have downloaded one of the songs I wanted from iTunes, but I’m still looking for the other one.

The Sweet Lowdown played both days of the festival. They were pleasant to listen to but bluegrass music isn’t a favourite. It was interesting though when a trombone player joined them for a couple of songs. It isn’t often you see a trombone in a bluegrass band!

Murray Porter was a big surprise. I’m not a blues fan either, but the words in his songs really struck a chord with me. His song Is Sorry Enough? about the residential schools had me tearing up. I came home with his CD in my bag.

Good for Grapes was a very energetic young group with a very unique sound. We sat with Geoff and Brenda and they said this group was their daughter’s favourite when they appeared at the Edmonton Folk Festival. They certainly had the kids in the crowd up and dancing.

Locarno had the older folks in the crowd on their feet. We saw them close the music festival a couple of year ago and they were as good as I remember them. So many talented performers in the group playing all sorts of instruments, including the marimba.

And last, but not least, came The Matinée. The parents of the lead singer in this group have a vacation home on Okeover Inlet so he is kind of a hometown boy. All the members played a variety of instruments and every song had a different, but very distinctive, beat.