little river folk

Stanfields Bring Party to Petite

2010-05-02T04:25:00.000-07:00

The Stanfields, Nova Scotia’s hottest new band, will close out the Bringin’ It Home concert series hosted by little river folk on Saturday May 15th.

The Stanfields are a maelstrom of rock, bluegrass, Celtic and blues. Hailing from the gritty post-industrial towns of Nova Scotia, these five musicians play every show like it’s their collective last night on earth. Their kitchen party harmonies, thunderous rhythm section, high octane stage show and genuine chemistry have won over audiences clear across our tiny corner of the world.

Since forming in the summer of 2008, The Stanfields wasted no time making their mark on the venerable Atlantic Canadian music scene. They made an immediate impact, and were hailed as “The Clash meets Steve Earle” by Great Big Sea’s Sean McCann.

With a relentless touring schedule and a list of injuries more akin to a hockey team during the playoffs than your typical rock and roll band, the closing days of 2008 saw the band forge its identity, ready to take their 10 legged gong show into the studio.

Under the guidance of gifted engineer Darren Van Niekerk (Matt Mays, Wintersleep), The Stanfields captured their knuckle busting rootsy sound at Halifax’s revered Sonic Temple in January 2009. Recorded as a self titled EP, the band released it to a crazed, packed house on St Patrick’s Day. SNAPHalifax soberly reflected on the Stanfields show; that “the enthusiastic, outstanding dynamics of their thundering rock rhythms, bang on Celtic melodies and bringing it back home harmonies and lyrics brought on an energy from the crowd not to be outdone or forgotten”.

In 2009, The Stanfields toured Atlantic Canada extensively and were awarded two Music Nova Scotia awards, for Best Group Recording of the Year and Best New Group. After their win they were confirmed as part of the Atlantic envoy to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics where they were joined by Anna Ludlow and played to enthusiastic crowds every night. Most recently the band played solid showcases at the East Coast Music Awards and Canadian Music Week, turning heads at both events.

Their busy winter wrapped up with yet more wins as they were voted Best Local Band, Most Likely to Make it Big and for a second straight year, Best Band to get Trashed To, by readers of the Coast. The band continues to roll along gathering more momentum, as their song The Dirtiest Drunk in the History of Liquor is currently in heavy rotation on Q104.

Joining the party are Lunenburg’s roots kings The Klunkers, and fiddling sweet heart Anna Ludlow who will accompany the Stanfields as a special guest.

The Klunkers will open the evening with their classic blend of old time folk, blues, country and Celtic. Fronted by the self-proclaimed kings of "jug", Paul MacLellan and Ron MacEachern, joined by Stewart Franck and Pam Paton this unique group of characters is sure to take you back in time.

The licenced dance gets under way at 8 pm at the Petite Riviere Fire Hall. As there is a cash bar, this dance is for those age of majority only (19+).

Soul man Charlie A’Court heading for Petite Riviere

2010-03-21T15:32:00.001-07:00

Mark Saturday April 10th as a night of fine blues and roots at little river folk in Petite Riviere. With fine local roots duo Nick Jeffrey and Harmonica “Joe” Veres opening the evening, the concert will feature Truro blues virtuoso Charlie A’Court.

Named as Nova Scotia’s top entertainer at the 2009 Music Nova Scotia Awards in November, Charlie A’Court is synonymous with impassioned performances that grip an audience the very moment he takes the stage.

Mr. A’Court won the East Coast Music Awards 2007 Pop Recording of the Year and 2007 Music Nova Scotia Blues Recording of the Year for his 2006 album Bring On The Storm. In 2003 he won Best Blues Artist for his debut album Color Me Gone.

Mr. A’Court is an emotionally charged and soul moving performer. Fearlessly bridging genres and challenging stylistic conventions, his music and passionate voice stir up the listeners’ emotions, touching the very core of audiences around the world.

Further establishing his reputation as a remarkable entertainer, A’Court has released his first live, solo recording. "Live At The Marigold" is an intimate look into the heart of this soulful troubadour and was recorded at the beautiful Marigold Cultural Centre in Truro, Nova Scotia. The release was nominated for Best Blues Artist/Group Recording, Best Male Artist Recording at the 2009 Music Nova Scotia Awards.

A’Court has toured extensively throughout Canada and abroad with headlining performances at the Stan Rogers’ Folk Fest, Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival, Kerrville Folk Fest, and Ottawa Blues Fest. A’Court has shared the stage with high profile artists including John Reischman & the Jaybirds, Martin Sexton, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, George Thorogood, Harry Manx, Procol Harum, Colin James, and Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd.

Singer-songwriter Nick Jeffrey makes music with the confidence that comes from finding home after a long journey. A native Nova Scotian, Nick headed to a teaching job in Asia after university, and has returned to create a place for himself on the South Shore where he has been steadily building a devoted fan base.

Nick plays a variety of instruments, and began performing at an early age. His voice retains a purity and range that allows him to fully explore the emotional content of his lyrics. The influence of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and Bob Marley is obvious in his songwriting, as is the support of a deeply musical family.

He enjoys pushing the folk and roots boundaries, dipping into forms like reggae, blues, and bluegrass, but always remaining true to his maritime individuality. Many of his songs rise from a core of autobiography, telling stories of love discovered, lost, and redeemed, with all the emotional landscape along the path.

Mr. Jeffrey has a potent ability to let his personal introspection transform into universal connection. His warm and generous performance style allows audiences to feel welcomed and to willingly trust his true-hearted songs.

The all ages, coffee-house concert begins at 8pm on Saturday April 10 at the Petite Riviere Fire Hall. Tickets can be purchased at The Petite General Store. More information is available at www.littleriverfolk.com

Diverse Song Circle set for Petite Riviere

2010-03-01T17:45:00.000-08:00

The little river folk concert series continues on Saturday March 20th with four emerging talents from across the province. The coffee house features the rich writing and diverse voices of Carmen Townsend, Ryan Macgrath, Laura Merrimen and Steve Gates.

Carmen Townsend is a rock and roll phenom with a big red guitar. She’s also blessed with a spectacular voice and an energy that resonates with people. As a key member of the Tom Fun Orchestra, Ms. Townsend spends many of her days on the road, but has made the time to complete her long-awaited debut album.

Ryan Macgrath is an unconventional study in contrasts. His rural roots anchor a style that is opulent, but not ostentatious. He has an authentic, old-school glamour that is rare and refreshing. His music reminds us that, though life is seldom simple, there is beauty in the complexity, the journey, and the telling. His new record will be released in May.

Ms. Merrimen’s fine debut album “Love Letters for Lonely Hunters” highlights the singer's old soul. With influences that range from Townes Van Zandt to Lucinda Williams, the album is steeped with a lingering darkness. With a smoky voice and heart worn songs, she delivers Americana-infused country music that combines vintage arrangements with undertones of folksy roots-rock.

The prolific Mr. Gates recently finished a solo recording “A Bee in Her Mouth”, a mere six months after the release of the critically acclaimed record “We Are America” with his band Caledonia. He describes the solo project as drawing its inspiration from two places. Firstly, from the Daniel Lanois produced Emmy Lou Harris record, “Wrecking Ball”, and secondly, from his work with “at risk” folk in the Yukon and at home in Halifax.

Of interest, Mr. Gates and Ms. Merrimen each have south shore roots. He grew up in New Ross, and she in Hubbards. The stories behind their songs will be prominent in the evening of music, which is certain to be a crowd pleaser. “Based on the response we heard from our audience survey last season, the song circle format is how people most enjoy singer-songwriter performance. It’s a good fit for our hall, and also for the artists we present” said event volunteer Leif Helmer.

The all ages, coffee-house concert begins at 8pm Saturday March 20 at the Petite Riviere Fire Hall. This season little river folk is offering a 2 for 1 student discount on tickets which can be purchased at the door. More information is available at www.littleriverfolk.com

2010-02-04T15:31:00.000-08:00

February 27th marks the return of new south shore resident Jon McKiel to the little river folk stage, and the first time for emerging folk duo Acres & Acres.

Mr. McKiel is an accomplished musician and songwriter, currently putting the final touches on his newest recording due out this year. “Fist fight, fist fight, fist fight.” From this retrained chant, the pacing thud of drums and guitar breaks into squeals of distortion. It’s a short-lived collapse into chaos that punctuates the aptly titled, “Fist Fight,” before it returns to a sure-footed build.

The moment is a telling one. Coming from the pop-rock leanings of his debut album, The Nature of Things (Wednesday Records, 2008), Jon McKiel has taken a decided step aside on his sophomore effort, Tonka Warcloud. The experimental nature of the album ranges from hushed minimalism to crashing dissonance. “Bass Song’s” haunted melody is cast over a thick, murky low-end that acts as a backdrop for the textures of darkness that soon envelope it. “Deathvan” is a gently strummed acoustic number that ruminates, “When they take your body down to the cemetery, they will hook you to a machine that will suck your body clean, and all your insides will wash out to the sea.” “Iceman Coming” is a throw back to the golden age of indie-rock, as it grows from a decaying riff into a glowing chorus. The combined result is McKiel delivering what the National Post calls, “a new sound that showcases harmonies and surprising beauty powering through a heavy sludge.”

Mr. McKiel’s previous record, The Nature of Things, garnered glowing reviews from across the continent, including one from Space Rock City that praised McKiel’s “painted delivery and tragic lyrics.” Following the album’s release, he toured Canada regularly, earning festival slots at Canadian Music Week, Halifax Pop Explosion, Sled Island, and the East Coast Music Awards. He has also toured throughout the US, stopping off at the famous Sun Studio in Memphis, TN for a live recording session.

On a sunny day in May 2008, Kris Pope and Dave Scholten had each finished their Steve-O-Reno’s coffee and were sitting on the concrete wall behind the library. Images of rusty farm machinery and abandoned barns filled their heads as they searched for a name to represent those images and the music they had been playing. One of them said "Acres", the other one said "and Acres", and in the same way that they write a song, or a good friend finishes a sentence, Acres and Acres was born.

After 3 years of heavy touring with ECMA Nominated art rock band Down with the Butterfly, Kris and Dave found themselves obsessed with the values of simplicity and realism. More and more of the songs they were writing seemed to need a stripped down approach to properly tell the story. Inspired by the feel of Neil Young's Harvest album, and guided by an approach not unlike the Cowboy Junkies' Trinity Sessions.

The band's debut album, All Nations is a compilation of live off the floor recordings performed at Spaces Between Studio and at All Nations Church between April 12th 2008 and March 31st 2009. It features some of Halifax’s finest, including Benn Ross (Heavy Meadows, Thrush Hermit), Rose Cousins, Amelia Curran, Don Brownrigg, and The Ukeladies.

The all ages, coffee-house concert begins at 8pm Saturday February 27 at the Petite Riviere Fire Hall. This year little river folk is offering a 2 for 1 student discount on tickets which can be purchased at the door. More information is available atwww.littleriverfolk.com

little river folk marks its 5th year with 5 shows in 2010

2010-01-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

Returning for its fifth year, little river folk is pleased to announce its musical line-up for 2010. The monthly concert series hosted at the Petite Riviere Fire Hall will begin earlier this year, and features five diverse live music performances.

The season gets underway Saturday February 27 with Jon McKiel with Acres & Acres.

Mr. McKiel recently moved to the south shore with his wife, and each is busy recording new material this winter for new releases due this spring, Emerging folk duo Acres & Acres released one of the most intriguing albums of 2009. All Nations was recorded at a church in Halifax and features rich textured instrumentation behind moving lyrics.

On March 20th a Song Circle will feature multiple MNS and ECMA award nominees Steve Gates, Carmen Townsend, Ryan MacGrath & Laura Merrimen. It will be an intimate evening of songs and the stories behind them, with four diverse and emerging talents.

April 10th promises to be a roots blues extravaganza with MNS Entertainer of the Year Charlie A’Court with special guest Nick Jeffrey.

May 15th brings a dance with MNS New Group of the Year The Stanfields, and Lunenburg’s The Klunkers.

Rounding out the season is the annual Summer Solstice show that will take place June 19th.

Little river folk is a proud partner in the Bringin’ It Home music series of Music Nova Scotia. This program provides funding for smaller venues to host Nova Scotian musicians. New for 2010 is 2 for 1 ticket pricing for all students, and a “four for three” series pass that provides a great value.

More information can be found at www.littleriverfolk.com

2010 series announced

2010-01-02T04:34:00.001-08:00

See www.littleriverfolk.com for the line up of shows for 2010!

Cook and Company Bringin’ It Home in Petite Riviere

2009-04-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

April 18th Gypsy Jazz Dance!

2009-04-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

2009-01-19T12:21:00.000-08:00