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Coming on
February 24:
Jeffery Straker
Since his acclaimed debut at the CFC in 2014, Jeffery has added extensive media work to his prolific touring and writing schedule. His dynamic live shows combine showmanship, cabaret, finely-wrought songs and acrobatic vocals that have drawn comparisons to Freddie Mercury. Critics have called North Star Falling (2015) a record "of the kind Elton John made in his peak early period," and Vagabond (2012) "a flawless work of art" and "one of the most faultlessly conceived and meticulously executed [Canadian] albums in a long time."
The Dead South
Regina's The Dead South serve up a gumbo of hard-driving bluegrass with Nate Hilts' gritty vocals and guitar, Scott Pringle (harmonies and mandolin), Colton Crawford (banjo and kick drum), and Danny Kenyon (cello). They wear white shirts and black suspenders, black pants and travellers' hats. They sing about murderous, estranged spouses and runaway lover cousins. Sometimes their fans dress up like them too and dance and sing the night away - but that's not mandatory.
And on March 10:
The Leahys 
The Leahy sisters began singing in the choir at church. At the same time, a love of traditional, Celtic instrumental music and step-dancing was instilled in them in the Irish, Scottish, French-Canadian, and Cape Breton traditions. The Leahys features five of the seven Leahy sisters, along with one of four brothers. Songs, song-writing, and the gorgeous vocal blend of harmonies that come when siblings sing together maintain the distinctive sound of the family's Celtic, traditional, and instrumental music roots.
Big Little Lions
The 2015 CFMA Ensemble of the Year,
Big Little Lions
is comprised of JUNO-winning Helen Austin and Paul Otten. Popmatters.com calls their album
A Little Frayed, A Little Torn "a jubilant collection of folk-pop songcraft," and the Examiner says that "the duo's sound mixes the new school folk of Mumford and Sons with a dance rhythm that keeps the music sounding light and upbeat." Both members are hugely prolific songwriters, and are often featured on CBC radio shows including The Vinyl Cafe.
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