Julian Taylor (CAN)

Julian Taylor

After 25 years in music, building an unimpeachable reputation as a truly independent artist and entrepreneur, Julian Taylor now owns his legacy. It’s rare in this era to see an artist build slowly and reach a new level of widespread acclaim decades into their career. But Julian’s ethos, work ethic, and artistry has always had a timeless quality to it.

Toronto-based singer-songwriter Julian Taylor has been part of the musical fabric and landscape in Canada for over two decades. Taylor enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2020, when his second solo acoustic album, The Ridge, earned a million plays on Spotify, praise from press worldwide, and airplay from America to Australia to the U.K. Loaded with soulful Americana and country twang, the album was produced by Taylor himself and Saam Hashemi, and was recorded at The Woodshed in Toronto.

In addition to winning Taylor Solo Artist of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, The Ridge was also nominated for: two Juno Awards (Contemporary Folk Album of The Year, Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year), the Polaris Prize Long List, a Summer Solstice Indigenous Award (Contemporary Folk Album of the Year), a Canadian Music Week INDIES Award (Indigenous Artist of the Year), and an additional Canadian Folk Music Awards nomination in the English Songwriter of the Year category.

With his songs being placed in such TV shows as “Haven,” “Private Eyes,” “Kim’s Convenience,” “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” and “Elementary.” Taylor is as explosive and captivating a live performer as you’ll ever see. Taylor has toured the Canada and the U.S. countless times, sharing the stage with the likes of Serena Ryder, Blue Rodeo, William Prince, AHI, Rodney Crowell, Keb’ Mo’, and has performed at the Festival d’Été de Quebec, the Mariposa Folk Festival, Ottawa BluesFest, and more. Taylor was also invited to perform at the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and Vancouver.

‘One of the strongest Americana recordings we’ve heard year to date.’ - Glide Magazine

‘Lush... poignant...’ - American Songwriter

‘Crisp, modern, and listenable… the folky, rootsy facets of the album feel entirely intuitive, raw, and perfectly placed… a stunning work of country-folk.’ - The Bluegrass Situation

Michele Stodart

Michele Stodart is a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, producer, musical director and multi-instrumentalist. She is best known as bassist, vocalist and co-songwriter of Mercury-nominated, double-platinum selling band, The Magic Numbers, who have released five critically acclaimed studio albums with top ten singles, and supported the likes of Neil Young, Radiohead, Brian Wilson, U2, The Who, Flaming Lips and Bright Eyes. She continues to play with the band and tour world-wide, and they are set to release a new album next year.

Born in Trinidad, where she spent her early childhood until she and her family fled a military coup attempt, leading them to Queens, New York, and eventually to London (UK), where she is now based, Michele has always pursued her own writing, nurturing a love for Folk, Country and Americana music, and has released three solo albums of her own songs.

In 2019, Michele graced our screens in the Danny Boyle / Richard Curtis blockbuster film ‘Yesterday’. She was chosen for her role in the movie due to her melodic bass playing and electric, enigmatic stage presence. Working alongside Boyle, Curtis and musical composer Daniel Pemberton, Michele’s bass and vocals are featured on the Abbey Road Studios movie soundtrack, reinterpreting The Beatles’ most beloved hits.

In 2022, she received public recognition for her musical talent, when she was awarded the AMA-UK 'Instrumentalist Of The Year' Award. The following year, she was invited back as musical director at the UK Americana Awards, where she put together an all-female house band and played with the likes of Mike Scott (of The Waterboys), Allison Russell, and Lifetime Achievement award-winner Judy Collins, who took a moment on stage to compliment Michele on her "incredible" talent. Since then, she has continued in the role of Musical Director at the annual Awards show, where she has collaborated with many different musicians and worked with a range of award-winning artists including Candi Staton, Billy Bragg, Lyle Lovett and many more.

"Steeped in languid melancholy... [she] sits in a rich tradition that encompasses such touchstone female performers as Karen Dalton, Judee Sill... Emmylou Harris or Gillian Welch..." – Uncut

“bearing traces of folk, country and soul… the music manages to be both tuneful and mournful, jaunty yet sad. What a combo, one that never fails to deliver.” – The Guardian