MEMBER NEWS

Union Duke: UD IV   UD IV is Union Duke's fourth full-length studio album and their first major album release in a decade. It marks a transition with the departure of original bass player Will Staunton halfway through the recording. The album was completed by the four remaining members, Matt Warry-Smith, Ethan Smith, Jim McDonald, and Rob McLaren, with the addition of Ian McKeown on bass. Canadian legend Aaron Goldstein played pedal steel, and Joel Visentin is featured on org

The Brian Wride Trio @ Wintersong Music Festival Friday, January 23, 2026 - 8pm The Fickle Pickle - Stouffville, ON The Brian Wride Trio are a neo-skiffle band, combining elements of folk, blues, and country and adding an electric edge to render original takes on songs of love, loss, longing, and dysfunction - songs old and new, well-known and obscure.

Dana Sipos: Golden Molten     Acclaimed Canadian musician Dana Sipos is known for songwriting that is both intimate and otherworldly, creating spellbinding atmospheres for listeners to lose themselves in. Once again teaming up with contemporary producer Sandro Perri, her anticipated new album is her most personal and luminous work to date. Sipos and her studio band decamped to Union Sound in Toronto for a marathon one day rehearsal, two day recording session. Tracked mostly l

Cabin Fever: Good Old Days   Cabin Fever’s much-anticipated new single, Good Old Days, draws inspiration from a cherished family phrase and philosophy: “These ARE the good old days!” The song is a heartfelt storytelling piece that celebrates living in the moment and appreciating the everyday experiences that will one day become treasured memories. At its heart, Good Old Days highlights the resilience and dignity of working-class families, honouring the everyday stories that h

Just Prince: Barren   “Barren” comes from a place of powerlessness in a world driven by power. It reflects the way large corporations and those in authority exploit Mother Earth and everyday people, while the rest of us are left feeling like all we can do is talk about it. The line “sow till you reap it barren” speaks to false promises of a better future. Those in power sow seeds of hope, but reap them barren, damaging the land so deeply that nothing can grow again. Guitarist

My Friend Christopher: Following Down My Friend Christopher releases the first single from his OAC-funded 2026 album In the Neighbourhood. Following Down is a poem with music for all creatures experiencing the setting sun. MFC's understated male voice invites soothing wonder to a gentle ukulele, guitar and bells backdrop with support from some younger voices to lead us all to dreamtime.

Kaeley Jade: Wisest Fool   Edmonton-based alternative-folk artist Kaeley Jade announces her sophomore album, The Great Unknown, arriving April 10, 2026 (Independent). Produced by JUNO Award-winner Hill Kourkoutis, The Great Unknown is a cinematic plunge into the dread, conflict, and uncertainty that arise when we reach a turning point. There is catharsis in letting go of that which no longer serves us, and The Great Unknown invites listeners to embrace life's unpredictability

James LeClaire: My Renfrew Days    “My Renfrew Days” an autobiographical track about growing up in the small town of Renfrew. A place where I could play in the neighourhood streets safely with my friends or have adventures in the forest behind my house. That environment helped shape and define who I am today. Throughout my youth, I was extremely lucky to be surrounded by such great friends on my street and eventually new friends as my world grew past my neighbourhood. This tr

Close Kicks: Missing You More Than You Know   Close Kicks is pulling all the heart strings with this powerful ballad written while on tour with The Strumbellas in a hotel room. This is a song that centres on grief, regret, and longing while losing someone deeply important. Trapped between memory and guilt, Close Kicks wants reconciliation or a return even though impossible. "Missing You More Than You Know" has an emotional tone that is raw, unfiltered, and confessional.

Tribe 369: Album Release Shows   Saturday, January 24, 2026 Mahtay Cafe - St. Catherines, ON Saturday, February 7, 2026 Camp Cataract - Niagara Falls, ON Tribe 369 is a 4 piece Original Neo-Soul World Folk Band, with Classical Guitar, Bass, Percussion (Djembe, Congas, Doumbeek, Udu, Calabash drum), along with a Harmonious blend of Melodic Vocals awash in a Positive Vibration. We believe in the power of music to effect positive change in the World. By presenting the light upon

Friday Folk Night w/ Maggie’s Wake & Keith Price Presented by Brampton Folk Club Friday, January 30, 2026 - 7:30PM St. Paul’s United Church - Brampton, ON The next Friday Folk Night will be on January 30th, when we present Celtic Fiddle and Song with Maggie’s Wake. Winner of this year’s Canadian Folk Music Award for Emerging Artist, Maggie's Wake is a refreshing and exciting band from Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Formed out of ashes of the popular Celtic group Rant Maggie Ra

The Big Bad Jug Band: Mr Purr    A live video of The Big Bad Jug Band’s most demented song (so far) released on Youtube on Friday January 9th. This performance from The Pig’s Ear in Peterborough captures the full outfit in their natural habitat. Mr. Purr is an original composition professing Jim’s love for his grey tabby cat Marvin The Martian.

Satellite Birdhouse: The Big Reveal      Let go and enjoy the ride! Satellite Birdhouse’s new single, The Big Reveal, is out now, with performances by Erik Johnson-Scherger, Shawn Sasyniuk, and Dean Watson. Stream it on your favourite platform.

Union Duke @ Haliburton County Folk Society w/ Thom Lambert Presented by The Haliburton County Folk Society Saturday, January 31, 2026 - 7:30PM Royal Canadian Legion - Haliburton, ON Union Duke is two fifths country, two fifths city, and one fifth whiskey. They have been described as a raucous collision of alt-rock and twang, bringing crowds to their feet with songs from the heart. Soaring harmonies, driving rhythm, and an infectious enthusiasm have seen these five guys from

Folk Canada is seeking jurors for the 2026 Folk Canada Conference (formerly Folk Music Ontario Conference)! We're currently accepting applications for both our 2026 Showcase applications as well as for the 2026 Ontario Folk Music Awards. Deadline to apply: January 30, 2026 Jurors are chosen based on a variety of factors. Each year, we aim to have a lineup of jurors that represents the diversity and complexity of the folk music scene and its people.  IMPORTANT:  Those that ha

Isaac Baronikian: Princess Ontario        Feels like heading east on highway 401 in Southern Ontario. OnRoutes, McDonalds bathrooms, filling up on gas and other liminal goings on. The one that got away, knowing you’ll be over it eventually.

Monet & Christian: Songs After the Fact      Monet & Christian are excited to announce the release of their new EP, “Songs After The Fact”! This EP has been a long time coming and consists of songs written over the last two years, as the duo have continued to discover who they are as musicians and songwriters, and where they fit in in this ever changing world. Monet & Christian are excited to finally get to share these songs with the world, and then get back to writing more!

Burns Night Concert Presented by Almonte Celtfest w/ East Coast Experience & the Front Porch Sitters Saturday, January 24 - Doors 6:30, show 7:00 Tickets $30 available online at TicketsPlease or in person at Baker Bob's in Almonte Join us as we kick off 30 years of  Almonte Celtfest with a special Burns Night Concert featuring East Coast Experience and special guests the Front Porch Sitters!  The show takes place on Saturday, January 24th 2026 at the Almonte Old Town Hall - R

Anne Walker @ Acoustic Harvest     Anne Walker Presented by Acoustic Harvest Saturday, January 24 - Doors 7:30 St Paul’s United Church - Scarborough, ON We are deeply grateful for your support of Acoustic Harvest and our live concerts featuring outstanding Canadian artists.  As winter settles in and the days grow darker, music has a special way of bringing warmth, connection, and light. As the new year begins, bringing longer light, we invite you to share the gift of music w

Sarah Siddiqui w/ Mitchie.Cola Friday, January 23, 8:30pm-11:00pm Lola Bar - Toronto, ON PWYC Sarah Siddiqui is a Canadian Toronto-based Singer-Songwriter and Producer. Her music has been described as haunting with a dreamy- alt-folk sound. Sarah has been captivating audiences with her stunning voice and very personal and poetically evocative lyrics and storytelling since 1995. Her music releases span from 2000 and are available on all platforms. Her career has also included