For more than a decade, Amplify has nurtured the artistic vision of St. Albert teens and young adults. One of its biggest contributions is developing the musical talents of a myriad of emerging singer-songwriters.
In 2023, Amplify celebrated its 10th year by releasing Ars Longa, Vita Brevis, a 10-track anniversary album. Roughly translated Ars Longa, Vita Brevis means crafting skills takes time and life is short.
In producing an album, Amplify’s singer-songwriters succeeded in leaving a homegrown musical footprint and earned a spot on the Plaza Series roster as the season’s closing act on Thursday, Aug. 29.
Ten of the original 18 singer-songwriters will perform. The featured performances are by Andrea Shipka and Stephen Badry of mightbrea, Ange Moulaison-Doucette, Jake Souch also known as Garyson, Grace Forestier, Jenn Nguyen, Sydney Bourbeau, Kaylin Kowalyshyn, Mya Hill and Jake Coyes.
“When we recorded the album, it was very stripped down. In this show, the other musicians are going to contribute their voices and different instruments to each song. This will be a chance to make the songs sound fuller. At rehearsals, I saw a banjo, slide guitar, trombone, harmonica and piano,” said Kathleen Bell, community cultural coordinator.
The format will be two sets of about 45 minutes each with five musicians per set. Artists will not only perform their original material from the album. They will also sing a variety of covers including Stand By Me (Ben E. King), If I Needed You (Townes Van Zandt), Angel of Montgomery (John Prine), Amsterdam (Gregory Alan Isak), and Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright (Bob Dylan).
Andrea Shipka and Steven Badry, two of the more experienced singer-songwriters, have organized both sets and will perform their song It’ll Be Okay while Ange Moulaison-Doucette sings the melancholy piano-based Life is Better on TV.
“She’s added banjo. When Stephen mentioned banjo, I said ‘what’, but it sounds really neat,” Bell said.
Garyson will step up to the microphone singing The Shadow.
“His music is very haunting and powerful – almost chilling. He’s mainly acoustic guitar and vocals with cool harmonies. But Stephen added a cool electronic soundscape to the backing group.”
Grace Forestier, 16, is the youngest and already a 2023 Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts recipient. In her new Can It Be version, Garyson added slide guitar, Badry is bringing his banjo, and both Shipka and Moulaison-Doucette are singing support vocals.
Jenn Nguyen performs her piano-centered Again, a journey through the pain of a breakup and Sydney Bourbeau sings Lost in Translation.
“Sydney’s Lost in Translation is a very dark folk song. She has an amazing stage presence. She’s evolved so well and is so comfortable on stage.”
Another folk artist is Kaylin Kowalyshyn performing Hold On.
“She has a folk, almost country sensibility. Her voice has that rich earthy tone.”
Mya Hill and Jake Coyes, a duo that goes way back, sing Sage.
“Sage is very country, very bluegrassy, almost old-time country. And Jake is quite a guitar player. You’ll see lots of solos during the evening. Mya is a great songwriter, and she has a smoky voice that fits well into roots music.”
Bell, who has coached these artists since their start with Amplify, expects the evening to be “a gorgeous night of music. They are top-notch singers, and you will be impressed with what St. Albert produces. It’s a beautiful night to end the summer.”
The outdoor concert is Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Albert Place Plaza. Tickets are $18.75 and are available at tickets.stalbert.ca or by calling 780-459-1542.
