MAR 24, 2023 - DOUBLE BILL
A singing troubadour, a dazzling acoustic guitarist, a humorous, heartfelt story teller who plays folk, blues, roots, Americana, comedy, and rock? A cheeseball Canadian trying to play his instrument like a West African, Sinti swing style guitarist? A crooner, balladeer, country picker, funny songwriter, slide player.
These are all true descriptors, but stripped to the core Ben Sures is a talented and distinctive songwriter. Not one shaped by commercial radio, but by stories he’s collected traveling across North America, The UK, Europe, and Beirut. These are the stories that his audience automatically warms to, and ask him about during intermission. Throw in 20 years of festivals, concerts, living rooms, bars, neighborhood parties, afternoon matinees, parties, outdoor shows, and travel and you’ve got a potent sonic recipe.
As a product of Generation X, Ben has a dizzying number of influences. He started out in a New Wave band in Junior High, busked endless Neil Young songs, grooved to Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, spent time immersed in the oeuvre of Pink Floyd alongside Benjamin Darvill aka Son of Dave. He went further back to Robert Johnson, Jimmie Rodgers, and George Formby, and discovered Django Reinhardt via his father. Throw in all of the great music he witnessed every summer at The Winnipeg Folk Festival: Odetta, Stan Rogers, Guy Clark, the sounds of bluegrass and Metis fiddling, Dave Van Ronk singing Brecht, D’Gary and a very deep immersion in the writing of Woody Guthrie
fOLLOW BEN
Canadian roots/swing duo Over The Moon's Suzanne Levesque and Craig Bignell are awarding multi-instrumentalists/vocalists that met, fell in love, got married and discovered their voices blend so well together that people often tear up upon hearing them sing. Over the Moon was Juno-nominated in 2022 for "Best Traditional Album" and 2023 "Ensemble Of The Year" nominee for The Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Living on a ranch in the foothills of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, it's inevitable there will be a strong sense of place- and the rhythms of the land when you start to make music. When the couple released their debut album, the resonances were there for all to hear. reflecting the pulse of life, lived in a territory that is both dirt-hard rugged and beautiful.
Their music is a wild ride from 40's sounding western swing and Appalachian old-time, to cowboy blues. Simple and sweet, all of their material has a common thread that speaks of the Canadian west and on their UK release, reviews were glowing. American Roots UK saying it was "Exceptional" and Country Music People adding "There's so much to enjoy here." The editor of Maverick Magazine told readers "You will love this" Elmore Magazine, New York "We knew we were on to something special"