Fredericton’s mid-winter music festival continues to broaden its scope.
The Shivering Songs Festival is extremely pleased to announce an impressive initial lineup for its 2016 edition: Joel & Bill Plaskett, Shane Koyczan, Les Hay Babies, Jenn Grant, The Weather Station, Michael Feuerstack, literary guest Sheree Fitch, The Burning Hell, Andrew Sisk, Quiet Parade, Fortunate Ones, Alan Jeffries and The Olympic Symphonium. Now celebrating its sixth year, Shivering Songs runs January 21–24 in Fredericton, NB.
A midwinter celebration of songwriting and storytelling, Shivering Songs hosts internationally renowned artists in rustic and historic spaces throughout Downtown Fredericton. Originally conceived as a small folk music festival to celebrate the album release of local group The Olympic Symphonium, the Festival has grown into a landmark cultural event that garners the attention of music and literary fans throughout Atlantic Canada and the Northeastern United States.
Festival organizers are particularly excited about this year’s initial roster: “This is the broadest line-up announcement in the history of Shivering Songs, and we’re thrilled to continue pairing long-time regional favorites with artists making long awaited Fredericton debuts,” said Shivering Songs co-organizer Zach Atkinson. “From some of Canada’s most enduring songwriters in Joel & Bill Plaskett, Jenn Grant and Michael Feuerstack, to contemporaries such as Shane Koyczan, Les Hay Babies and The Weather Station, and with more acts to be announced, we truly feel that we hit the nail on the head for 2016.”
Shivering Songs has also partnered with the United Way on a special kickoff event at the Fredericton Playhouse on January 21. Songs of the City tells the transformative stories of everyday people whose lives have been changed by the generosity of our community. Songs of the City pairs each of these impacted individuals with a writer to develop their stories of change, while a slew of Shivering Songs artists will compose and perform original songs based on their narratives. The event will be free and open to all ages, with information on performers to follow; the only way to guarantee a seat is to purchase a Festival Pass.
This year’s initial lineup announcement includes:
Joel & Bill Plaskett
Two generations of Nova Scotia music will take the stage for a special performance as part of the sixth edition of Shivering Songs. Bill Plaskett, who helped found the Lunenburg Folk Festival, had a major influence on his son Joel’s love of music – an influence all of Canada can appreciate. It’s an honour to welcome these two distinguished gentlemen.
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Shane Koyczan
Shane is a Canadian a poet, a writer and an entertainer. Through numerous collaborations, books, and special appearances across several media platforms, Koyczan has become one of Canada’s leading voices in spoken word performance. Exclaim! gave his latest release, Debris, a 9/10 rating, calling it, “…a timely, important piece of work.” Kudos to Shivering Songs on adding Koyczan to this year’s lineup.
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Les Hay Babies
New Brunswick folk-trio, Les Hay Babies, have forged a loyal following on stages across the country since they first began performing together in 2011. Through high energy performances and their infectious blend of Acadian influences, Les Hay Babies have managed to transcend New Brunswick’s cultural divide and unite audiences from both the province’s main language communities.
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Jenn Grant
Prince Edward Island born singer songwriter Jenn Grant is one of the Maritime province’s leading voices. Her albums have earned her well deserved attention from coast to coast. Her performances are charming, her voice unforgettable.
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The Weather Station
The Weather Station is the songwriting project of Canadian performer Tamara Lindeman. Poetic lyrics set against simplistic melodies. Gentle, inspiring and honest. In an international game of Mortal Kombat, the Weather Station would be Canada’s Finishing Move. Brilliant.
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Michael Feuerstack
Michael Feuerstack is a national treasure yet to be found. Through his wide body of work, from his earlier recordings with Wooden Stars through his years spent performing as Snailhouse to his current position as the greatest songwriter you’ve never heard of, Feuerstack remains tragically under appreciated. His latest album, The Forgettable Truth, may be the best album you’ll ever hear.
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Sheree Fitch
Fitch describes herself as a writer, reciter, a speaker, a teacher, a sister, a daughter, a mother, a wife. A listener, a seeker, a maker of nonsense, a reader, a leader, a lipslippery fool. A doctor, a walker, a talk-talk-talk- talker, a giggle-glad Oma, an odd sort of soul. Do you really need to know anything else?
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The Burning Hell
The Burning Hell is the alter-ego of Canadian songwriter Mathias Kom, and the band has been on the road in one form or another since 2007, playing everywhere from festivals like Glastonbury and Dawson City to bars, living rooms, abandoned bunkers, and a mental asylum in rural France.
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Andrew Sisk
In Chipman, New Brunswick, born and raised, with music is where Sisk spent most of his days, chillin’ out, maxin’, relaxing all cool, making some music and art while in school, when a couple of guys who were up to no good…well, you get the picture. Andrew Sisk spent a lot of time in this neck of the woods performing as Share and later as a solo artists. What a treat to have him back. An artist in every sense of the word.
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Quiet Parade
Quiet Parade began as a solo project by Nova Scotia musician Trevor Murphy, later evolving into a five piece folk-pop ensemble. With a new album now available and an eagerness to get out there and perform, it’s only a matter of time until this little-known Halifax band becomes a household name.
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Fortunate Ones
Fortunate Ones is a Canadian pop-folk duo made up of singer/guitarist Andrew James O’Brien and singer/pianist/accordion player Catherine Allan – endearing audiences with wide-eyed energy, pragmatic optimism, and an earnest mission for connection.
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Alan Jeffries
Hometown hero Alan Jeffries returns once again for his annual residency at the Shivering Songs Bluegrass Brunch. Is there really any better way to enjoy a mid-winter breakfast than with a great community, hot coffee and breakfast served “how you like it” to the sounds of one of the East Coast’s bluegrass treasures?
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The Olympic Symphonium
Festival founding fathers The Olympic Symphonium return to the Shivering Songs stage this year. After this fall’s house concert mini-tour, the band have begun assembling a new crop of songs with their eye on a recording a new album in 2016. Expect to hear a few new tunes and many favourites. #pumped
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Tickets and passes for Shivering Songs 2016 are now on sale, both online at www.shiveringsongs.com and in person at the Etixnow kiosk in the lobby of Isaac’s Way in Fredericton.
For more information on the Festival, please visit www.shiveringsongs.com.
Also check out FROSTival for a whole slew of upcoming events this winter!
