The 37th annual Canmore Folk Music Festival featured a variety of talent with the combination of a good mixture of fresh up and comers and seasoned musical veterans.
The eclectic mix of musical acts was a proper spectrum to keep everyone in the audience happy no matter the age demographic.
Musicians spoken to agreed the festival was not only an excellent way to reach and entertain people who have not yet had the chance to hear their music, but was also a great way to build up camaraderie among fellow musicians.
No one showed this musical bond more than J.P. Hoe, who literally lent the guitar off his back to The Deep Dark Woods’ lead guitarist Clayton Linthicum.
“The festival was fantastic, but I had to borrow a guitar at the very last minute from J.P. Hoe, a very nice guy. I hadn’t even had the chance to meet him yet, but I borrowed his guitar,” Linthicum said.
“My guitar was left in Saskatoon accidentally, so we were scrounging to find another one and Harvest Moon Acoustics owner Tom set it up for me to borrow a Gibson SG. But it got here at the last minute so I had to borrow from J.P. Hoe and it was awesome, I really liked the guitar.”
This was the first time for The Deep Dark Woods to play the festival, and they were quite impressed with the overall event set up. “I loved the stage and I’m really busy playing with my other band Casey & Clayton as well as The Deep Dark Woods,” said Linthicum.
“So far, so good, everybody’s been nice and it was a real honour to open up the festival. We’ve never had a chance to play in Canmore, so for our first time here you couldn’t ask for more,” Hoe said. “I’d like to think this festival would have come to a standstill if I had not lent The Deep Dark Woods an electric guitar; thank you letters are more than welcome,” Hoe joked.
“It’s nice with the camaraderie, as cliché as that may sound. The backstage stuff is just as enjoyable as the onstage action and so to get to reconnect with those guys and to do anyone here a favour is great – these are my peers, my musical brothers and sisters,’ Hoe said. “I’m glad it all worked, but I’m sad because the guitar probably isn’t going to want to work for me anymore.”
Both Hoe and Linthicum agreed that one of the best parts of music festivals is the bonds and friendship forged through the fires of having the mindset of, “the show must go on.”
A newcomer from Down Under, guitarist Daniel Champagne, didn’t let the festival pass him by. He performed solo at a special afternoon concert Saturday and took part in workshops and played in the festival pub.
“I was playing in the pub and that was great, exciting energy – it was intimate but a little rowdy at the same time, good energy,” Champagne said. “It’s so good to get here, I’ve been to Canada 10 times, but this is the first time to Canmore and so far it’s been unbelievable.”
