Coming in from Calgary straight to the Snoring Sasquatch on Sept. 1, the Bearded Folk tour comprises three acoustic acts ranging from folk-rock to folk to instrumental — the only thing they truly have 100 per cent in common (apart from their love of acoustic music) are the hairs on their chinny chin chins.
With thought provoking lyrics, catchy melodies and a unique percussive guitar style consisting of picking, strumming and everything in between, Jonathan Ferguson looks to establish himself as a true folk rock troubadour. In the tradition of singer-songwriter greats like Paul Simon, Jackson Browne and Elvis Costello, Ferguson weaves stories into his songs that are very visual and detailed, not unlike the progression of a film, but with enough hooks to ensure they stick in you long after you’ve both parted ways. He is currently touring in support of his first solo record, Sweeter After Difficulties.
Joining Ferguson for this show will be the very talented, very percussive Mark Straub on cajon. A multi-instrumentalist of an incredible degree, Straub’s great ear for rhythm perfectly compliments Ferguson’s guitar style.
Influenced by groups as diverse as Coldplay and Simon and Garfunkel, Joel Pearson and Connor Kjersteen, known as Luminé, make what can only be described as beautiful music. With thick harmonies, intricate arrangements, and an arresting stage presence sure to quiet the entire room with awe, the most surprising thing about this duo to any audience is that there are only two people on stage.
In the tradition of Michael Hedges, Kaki King and John Butler, Andrew Riches plays the guitar in a very non-traditional way. Riches’ unique and distinct style of harmonics, two-handed finger tapping, picking and strumming on the 12-string resonate within very quickly. He believes that creative music is one way to get reacquainted with the goodness of life.
For more information on Ferguson, visit www.jonathanferguson.ca, more on Luminé, visit www.myspace.com/joelpearsonband and more on Riches, visit www.12stringmonster.com.
Tickets to the Sept. 1 show are $12 in advance at the Snoring Sasquatch, Black Bear Books and Kingfisher Used Books, and $15 at the door, which opens at 7 p.m.; the show begins at 8.
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