Amidst an eclectic lineup of musicians from all over the world, two acts from Salmon Arm played an important part in the 2016 Roots & Blues Festival.
Jug band Seal Skull Hammer and gypsy jazz group the Willy Gaw quartet played to large crowds at the festival.
When asked what the main difference between playing for the home crowd compared to being on the road, Seal Skull Hammer’s Alton Gowen said it was good to have more friends and family in the audience, particularly those who are used to seeing them at smaller venues.
“It’s cool for the out of town bands to see what goes on around this area. We get to mingle with musicians from out of town some of which we’ve met before,” said Darrin Herting, who plays under the stage name Frankie Seal.
“You almost feel like an ambassador to Salmon Arm for the other musicians. If they’re here and it’s their first time coming to Salmon Arm, they know nothing really about the area and we can chat with them,” Gowen added.
The group became friends with Adrian Nation, a British solo artist.
Other musicians from out of town really enjoy playing in Salmon Arm because of how well organized and artist friendly Roots & Blues is, the trio said.
They commended Peter North, the festival’s artistic director, for his efforts organizing the festival.
The Willy Gaw Quartet, felt the same excitement about playing the hometown festival.
“It’s wonderful to play for the home crowd, it’s an honour,” guitarist Willy Gaw said.
The quartet also appreciated the festival’s atmosphere.
“It doesn’t seem very corporate, you go to some festivals in the big city and Telus has a booth or they’re trying to sign you up for a Mastercard. There’s sponsors, no doubt here, but they’re like local beer or artisan type sponsors,” said guitarist Jordan Dick.
Gaw appreciated how enthusiastic the crowd was despite having probably never heard the group before.
“Most of the shows we do are more intimate, it’s like a jazz club or a smaller venue, we’re not used to playing with such a big sound behind us on stage like that. It’s exciting.”
After their solo show on the barn stage Saturday afternoon, the group was excited for their workshop with Joe Craven and Quartetto Gelato Sunday morning.
“It’s awesome that they’re including jazz, even jazz festivals don’t have jazz bands anymore,” Dick said.
