Catherine Taddo
Catherine Taddo brings her experienes, passion and voice to the blues. The Thunder Bay native mixes original material (Old Friend, This Way) with covers of blues artists who inspire her --stalwarts such as Junior Wells, Bobby Bland, and Susan Tedeschi. Her versatile background includes alternative rock, musical drama, large ensemble work and pop-folk. The Lakehead University graduate has appeared at several festivals in Ontario. "Catherine Taddo possesses a rich and powerful voice," said Ari Lahdekorpi, director of the Thunder Bay Blues Festival Assoication. "She's a singer/songwriter with a lot of drive, dedication and potential." CBC Radio One, Ottawa's CKCU and CFQK in Thunder Bay have played her music. Taddo is touring Canada for the first time in support of her new album.
www.catherinetaddo.com

Caroline Spence
Caroline Spence is a magnetic performer with a distinctive, melting, resonant voice similar in quality to Sade, Sarah McLachlan, and Karen Carpenter with a touch of Patti Smith thrown in for good measure. Her music is unique, yet accessible, even though many of her award winning lyrics deal with human rights issues and tolerance. Caroline's music is a smart blend of pop, folk, goth and rock and highlights both her warm, caring nature and wry sense of humour. Her ability to see the world in colourful ways is clear to anyone who listens to her interesting lyrics and melodies. Caroline won The Great Canadian Talent Search, sponsored by Canadian Musician Magazine in 2003 with her song, 'Hey Gemini'. She is releasing an EP called, 'hello' this summer, and has been invited to do a 10 date tour of the UK.
www.carolinespence.com

Chris Belsito
Chris Belsito is the product of a number of conflicting musical generations. He takes the lyrical prowess of folkies like Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell, mixes them with the catchy anthemic sing-along choruses of 80's-style heavy metal, and packages them in the transcendental blanket of acoustic-based atmospherics created by artists like U2. Belsito has received extensive radio play and support from CBC Radio, including performing regularly on their live air shows. Chris is a regular performer on the festival circuit and has performed in support of and opened for artists like Great Big Sea, Jann Arden, and Tom Cochrane. Chris is releasing his second full length album, 'Cameras' this summer.
www.chrisbelsito.com

Vile Richard
Vile Richard is a musical collage, comprised of singer/songwriters Olaf Alders and Andrew Vanhorn, joined by a quirky collection of musical friends and neighbours. An utterly unique sonic experience, Vile Richard is aware that their music is difficult to describe on paper, but they've been told (for what it's worth) that the tunes go just a little bit like this: "Gregg Brady gets turned on to Dylan, gets Marcia stoned, then gets busted by Mom & Dad. Grounded for a month and confined to their room, they work up these tunes". As part of Southern Ontario's independent music scene, Vile Richard and its members have been seen and heard everywhere (and you may have heard their 'Hockey Song' on your morning radio), from City TV's Breakfast Television and rock station Edge 102's morning show, to venues stretching from Hamilton to Halifax.
www.vilerichard.com

James Kasper
Cousin to Buddy Knox (of Party Doll fame, 1957), James Kasper is a Canadian singer-songwriter with a rich voice and a rich tapestry of songs. James Kasper was one half of the alt-folk duo Kasper Veil, whose 2000 album 'folk is dead but who's listening' was well-received on Canadian campus and public radio, going to #1, and staying in the top ten at numerous stations. The record also earned the duo an enthusiastic review from Chart Magazine ("Perfect coffeehouse music for the soul"). Now solo, James has performed shows with former Blue Rodeo keyboardist Bob Wiseman, whose unique piano stylings appear on Kasper's soon-to-be-released debut solo album. "James Kasper is a gifted singer-songwriter." - Cosmic Debris Magazine. James Kasper is also the producer of the Vancouver Island Music Awards, in addition to producing and hosting a weekly variety talk show – “The Road Show” – on CFUV 101.9FM radio in Victoria.
www.jameskasper.com