Madison Violet, Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac, have over the last few years become one of the most cherished acts to have played at St., Bonaventure’s, with their annual appearances a highlight in many people’s musical diaries. The Canadian couple have made so many friends because their perfect harmonies, poignantly beautiful songs and enchanting stage presence have made their performances simply unmissable. Previous records such as Caravan and No Fool for Trying have earned critical acclaim and won every Canadian songwriter’s award going. Their new release The Good In Goodbye is commonly though to be their best yet.

“The Wiyos made it the hard way. Named after a 19th-century New York Irish street gang, they started out in Brooklyn nine years ago, and developed their slick, rhythmic and unpredictable style as they travelled across the States. They spent time in New Orleans and busked on the streets when they couldn't get gigs. Now, after a personal invitation from Bob Dylan to join him on tour, they look set to become celebrities of the Americana scene. Based very loosely on The Wizard of Oz, their new album is their most adventurous to date, a collage of ragtime, vaudeville, blues and jazz, with a dash of close-harmony vocals, scat, twanging surf-guitar work and tuneful pop balladry added in. This is (mostly) old-time music played with contagious enthusiasm and given a contemporary twist, with most of the songs switching between different styles. Mary mixes stomping harmonica-backed blues with a scat workout, Penny Arcade matches quirky balladry with a brassy New Orleans stomp, and the theatrical Mama is an accordion-backed psych-folk horror tale that shows off their fine harmony vocals. They are touring here next month and should be worth checking out.” Robin Deneslow – The Guardian.

JOE PUG

“While most singer/songwriters are content to warble out a few semi-clever turns of phrase, Pug’s scorching poetry and soulful, ‘every phrase could be my last’ voice will stop you cold. If you want to read the actual endorsement, touch the braille stretching up my arms. Twenty years from now, lazy journalists will compare every halfway decent songwriter to Joe Pug. Mark my words.”– Paste Magazine
“Not only does Chicago-based singer have a beautifully mature voice, but the lyrics on Pug’s debut possess wisdom seemingly beyond his age. Pair that with his powerful songwriting and it’s nearly impossible to avoid drawing comparisons between Pug and folk legends like Bob Dylan or contemporaries like Josh Ritter.”– NPR

VENUES

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