Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Equal, Cuff The Duke, Charlotte Day Wilson, Busty and the Bass, Dan Mangan, Nap Eyes, Clothesline from Hell, and Jeremy Dutcher
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Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Dead Root Revival. Ryan Wayne, David Myles, Local Natives, Union Duke, Katie Pruitt, Kaïa Kater, and Tara Kannangara,
“When life gets heavy and the future feel overwhelmingly out of our control, we can learn to turn inwards and build a home inside of ourselves” - Katie Pruitt
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Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Robyn Ottolini, Les Moontunes, David James Allen, The Americans, Ghostly Kisses, Deer Tick, Gov’t Mule, and Mark Bragg
“We write our songs inside-out. We grab hold of something minuscule and primitive—a simple turn of phrase or an unusual beat—and try to build a song around it. It's inefficient, but when it works, it works.” - Patrick Ferris, the Americans
“A change is taking place; abusive relationships can no longer stay silent, as well as many taboo topics that are now being more openly discussed and exposed in the public sphere.” - Margaux Sauvé, Ghostly Kisses
Slowcity Open Mic: Gord Downie and Bob Rock, Skydiggers, Shirley Collins, Jerry Leger, Great Lake Swimmers, Cowboy Junkies, Andrina Turenne, and Dennis Ellsworth
By Will McGuirk
“Sometimes a collection of songs just comes out feeling one way and they all work together,” - Dennis Ellsworth
Isabel LaRosa
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Hannah Georgas, Debby Friday, Abigail Lapell, Rachel Hickey, Leanne Hoffman, Isabel LaRosa, and Mad Ones
By Will McGuirk
“I have a lot of internal pep talks, as a way to quiet my own doubts and insecurities. This song is a reflection of that, and a reminder to go a little bit easier on myself.” - Hannah Georgas
“I have always looked up to women who were willing to be ‘bad’ in the name of living thoroughly.” - Debby Friday
Russell Louder
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Zoon, Wayfinding, Justin Rutledge, Skydiggers, Russell Louder, Chris Picco, The Ironsides, and Mouraine
By Will McGuirk
""Come to My Senses" is the moment of clarity that follows the realization that everything will be okay… that everything fades in importance after life and death… and all the little things we sweat and worry about don’t amount to anything when we look back on our lives;" - Skydiggers
Altin Gün, photo by Catharina Gerritsen
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Altin Gün, Marcus Lowry, Jean-Michel Blais, Hayden, Begonia, quinnie, Harrison, and Winona Forever
By Will McGuirk
“We sympathize with people affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. All revenues we receive by streaming Güzelliğin On Para Etmez via YouTube will be transferred to the international Red Cross in order to help supporting the Red Crescent team in the region.” - Altin Gün
“I don’t really believe in marriage and I’m not even really an Elvis fan but I do believe love can make you do some strange things and that’s what this song is all about.” - Begonia
Julian Taylor
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Julian Taylor, Chuck D, Orchestra Gold, Zada, Ellen Froese, Marcus Paquin, Gord Downie and Bob Rock, and Tanya Tucker
By Will McGuirk
“This land is my land, this land is your land, This land was made for you and me, poor choice of words by Woody Guthrie. The land was stolen and in the first verse I say and now everyone can see and in the second verse I say that it was built on slavery.” - Julian Taylor
“I am moving past old ideas and into a realm of music that incorporates some newer techniques that I have been opposed to in the past (doubling vocals, drum machines, synths), and recognizing that folk music can be anything I want it to be” - Ellen Froese
“It celebrates an awareness that a myriad of beautiful experiences exist in every moment and that it’s up to each of us to be present in those moments so we can absorb and reflect that energy back onto others.” - Marcus Paquin
Adam Baldwin, photo by Griffin O’Toole
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Adam Baldwin, Julian Taylor, Ouri, Ariel Posen, Living Hour, Jerry Sereda, Song Sparrow Research, and Ruby Singh and the Future Ancestors
By Will McGuirk
“It's my love letter to all of us who defy convention, whether by choice or necessity. It's my plea to everyone to follow your heart. You never know what other underdog you'll inspire to be heroic.” - Adam Baldwin
Logan Staats, Photo by Trung Hoang
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Logan Staats, Reuben and The Dark, Matthew Barber, Ghostkeeper, Edwin Raphael, Avalon Tassonyi, Theo Tams, and the North Coast Band
By Will McGuirk
“It’s not about a girl; the culture is the love that I’m asking for. The love for myself. That was stolen from me - by the government, the crown, the church. When I sing ‘GIVE ME BACK MY LOVE’, I'm speaking about my culture, my pride, and my love for myself.” - Logan Staats
“Emotion is universal and we hope to add this vibration when we sing.” - Billy Wadsworth, Kainai-Bloodtribe Bullhorn Singers
“An homage to my Grandpa Rolly, A grandfather with a fierce love and dedication to his family. This is a ‘sing a long’ for all who miss him as much as I do.” - Shane Ghostkeeper
“Without absence there can be no presence. The simple sad rhythm emphasizes that the steps backwards in life may be sad, but it is part of the dance, and it is always beautiful.” - Edwin Raphael
“Clowning is a very liberating experience… to be a child, to fail, to tap into human experiences without the need to say a word.” - Avalon Tassonyi
Jadea Kelly
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Jadea Kelly, Geoffroy, Frazey Ford, Favours, Lumineers, Scott Hardware, Ellyn Woods and Baile, Riches, and Sloan,
By Will McGuirk
"Escaping" is a song about the secrets that you keep inside. Forget the past and leap forward. Don't look back, it's not worth your time.” - Favours
“This idea of coming home to yourself after losing yourself in a world of disillusionment. The point when you realize everything you need is already within yourself. Letting go of all that isn't you, to rediscover who you are.” - Ellyn Woods, Baile
“This song marks a deep dive into my changing thoughts about nostalgia, seeing it change from cozy romanticism to toxic waste." - Scott Hardware
Live Slow Die Wise - Geoffroy
Fleece
Slowcity.ca Open Mic with Chastity, Ekelle, Charlotte Day Wilson, Ada Lea, Joy Crookes, Alex Cuba, Fleece, Graham Wright, Talleen, Mary Jennings, Jon Stancer, and Rise Carmine,
Ekelle
By Will McGuirk
“‘When You Were Mine’ is a song I wrote about an ex-partner that ended up being with a man after we broke up. It’s a song about accepting their love, but wishing the same for myself. I wrote it with the backdrop of Brixton because that is where their love unfolded and where I spent a lot of my childhood. We recorded a brass section (it was my first time recording brass and excited was an understatement); we wanted it to sound messy so Japanese whiskey was involved and listening to lots of Ebo Taylor.” - Joy Crookes
“My social media feeds are crammed with dire and insistent warnings from scientists, experts and activists, and newsreels showing floods, fires, hurricanes and other horrific, climate related catastrophes. All of this chatter and imagery were swirling around in my head at the time of writing this song.” - Jon Stancer
“We wanted to reflect how our society can sometimes be shrouded in mystery and symbolism, money being the driving force behind the illusion.” - Alex Crow, Talleen
Megan Nash, photo by Aaron Sinclair
Slowcity.ca Open Mic with Megan Nash & the Best of Intentions, Valerie June, Begonia, Andrew Waite, Monowhales, Venus Furs, The Wanted, Derev, Blackwater Cobra, Raz, and Your Paris
By Will McGuirk
The art of persuasion is nothing about art. The art is not there to persuade but to present; not to persuade but to reveal; not to persuade but to be. The artist is there to make for us and for us to make what we will out of it; the artist is to propose with no purpose. So we present. . . and you make what you will of it.