Sounds playing at Seven Music Fest

It's the outdoor concert season and Seven Music Fest has booked a stellar music lineup sure to grab folks by the ear.

Fingers crossed, the sun will shine and weather permitting, festival producer Barry Bailey is confident this third edition will be epic.

"We've been consistent in the types of acts we look for and people appreciate that. We're always looking for good music and professional performers that will entertain and bring their A-game to the festival," said Bailey.

There is no shortage of experienced acts arriving on Saturday, July 8 at St. Albert's Seven Hills, a bowl-shaped grassy knoll that accommodates several thousand people.

One of the most successful Canadian bands, the multi-award winning Strumbellas pump out their creative juices as the evening's marquee performers. They're slowly changing the game, so expect a big show.

The 10-hour list of performers also includes Toronto's Rural Alberta Advantage as well as the West Coast's Frazey Ford.

The Elwins, whose show was cancelled last year due to lightning strikes, is returning for another crack. Let's hope second time is the charm.

Edmonton's Royal Foundry and Calgary's Sykamore as well as St. Albert's Paul Woida and The Provincial Archive, also a St. Albert band, are ready to deliver a compelling and dynamic show.

Eleven-year-old Christina Hollingsworth opens the festival with a bilingual rendition of O Canada in Cree followed by St. Albert country singer Hailey Benedict, 14, belting out a couple of her faves.

The Strumbellas

Indie rock. Alternative country. Gothic folk and rock grass. These are a few labels The Strumbellas are saddled with since their first self-titled EP release in 2009 amassed positive reviews.

In less than a decade, the Ontario-based six-piece has morphed into a Canadian darling winning three Junos among a swelling collection of awards.

But it's their third album, Hope, that generates high praise from the powerful American music establishment.

So much so they played at the massive Bonnaroo Music and Art Festival in June. In the generous top 30 spots, they shared with stage with heavyweights U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Weeknd. Not bad.

But it's their song Spirits, the album's first single dropped in 2016, that grabs attention. Since its release, keyboardist Dave Ritter says Spotify has listed 108 million streams.

The spark for Spirits came to songwriter and lead singer Simon Ward while waiting backstage before a show. Its success rests with the interplay of upbeat music skilfully blended to the lyric's sadness.

"I'm proud of our songs – that they're not just love songs. I'm glad our songs have substance and are able to help people through a tough time," said Ritter who credits Ward's prolific talent.

But Ritter adds that the six musicians all contribute to the band's success, in large part due to their personal friendship.

"I like to talk on stage. I'm a bit whimsical. I have a big personality and I enjoy a sense of levity. Jon has the big curly hair. He's the cool one. Izzy is everyone's best friend. She's also very creative. She plays fiddle, keyboard and sings. Darryl is the cool dad with two kids. Before he was with us he had his own business and he gives us insights. And Jeremy our drummer is the tech whiz."

After Seven Music Fest, the band heads to Germany, but in the meantime Ritter plans on telling a few stories about The Strumbellas' escapades on Highway 2."

Rural Alberta Advantage

This trio has a special place in Albertans' hearts after it released Beacon Hill, a song inspired by Fort McMurray's devastating 2016 wildfires.

Lead vocalist/guitarist Nils Edenloff spent his high school years in Fort Mac and developed close ties with friends he continues to hang out with some 20 years later.

The fire not only incinerated many landmarks, but it also scorched the memories of good times he guarded carefully over the years.

"Alberta has been most supportive of us. Our songs are about the memories we have growing up here. There's something special about the people that we hold close when we play," said Edenloff.

In the last 12 months, the trio underwent a series of upheavals. First the fire. Then Amy Cole, who had sung with Edenloff and drummer Paul Banwatt since the group formed in 2005, announced her departure.

Robin Hatch was brought on as keyboardist, bass, pedal and backup vocals at roughly the same time the band announced a fourth studio album was forthcoming.

"Changing up the lineup was a big upheaval and learning to write with Robin was a big change. Just finding out sonically where we could go was a big change, but on our record we're functioning as a three-man unit."

Although the album is slated for release later this year, Rural Alberta Advantage will perform four new songs at the festival.

"We're very comfortable working out songs in front of people. That's how we started out."

Frazey Ford

A West Coast singer with a girlish voice, Frazey Ford started her career as an alt-country folk vocalist. Ford now experiments with music she personally holds dear – a blend of soul, gospel and blues.

Her latest solo release Indian Ocean, not only carries hints of familiar old time rustic harmonies, it also taps into lush reams of soul.

"My mom loved the Cajun tradition, but I grew up mainly with country. I loved soul, but country came without my trying too hard. Indian Ocean bridges soul, country and folk," said Ford.

Ford's first solo album, Obidiah, introduced elements of her favourite black artists. Indian Ocean expanded those stories.

Recorded in Memphis with Al Green's iconic band Hi Rhythm Section, it was for Ford "a magical experience." Humble about her role, Ford instead praises the support musicians.

"Their playing style is one of the most beautiful I've heard. They're so fluid. There is so much subtlety and tenderness conveyed by the whole band and not just the singer."

So will Ford sing songs from Indian Ocean?

"It will be a surprise. I write my set list one hour before the show."

The Elwins

Just call them the energetic Elwins. This Toronto-based foursome is a well-oiled machine that performs nearly 150 concerts annually.

Just this year they toured with the power pop band Jukebox the Ghost and are working on their third full-length album.

"Jukebox are great musicians. They have incredible music, well-crafted songs and as a live band they're extremely entertaining. They're also funny guys and it comes alive on stage," said guitarist Feurd.

While this past 12 months was filled with exciting possibilities, it was also a year of mishaps.

"We were driving in the Midwest – from Pennsylvania to Michigan – when our tour van of six or seven years completely died and broke down on the side of the road. The tow truck driver was really nice. He towed us to the venue so we could unload our gear and then towed us to a garage."

But that wasn't the last of their problems.

Once back on the road, one of the cylinders' spark plugs exploded, finishing off the vehicle. Digging deep into their rapidly depleting savings, the band rented a U-Haul to get them to the next show and to drive home.

But with a new record under the direction of producer Derek Hoffman, the band is certain their luck is changing.

"It's a sound that's different than anything we've done before. It's a little more edgy. We took more liberties in the production, creating more experimental stuff. We've thrown more electronic elements in some of the production."

The Elwins are slated for a 45-minute set and they plan to explore some of the new material with the crowd.

"The songs are really dynamic and we're excited to be there and deliver a great show.

Royal Foundry

Triple A recipients of the Edmonton Music Awards, The Royal Foundry is stoked at the upcoming Aug. 15 release of their new album Lost In Your Head.

Produced in part by Los Angeles producer Sam Henson, the 13-track delivers their folksy electronic alt sound.

"It explores new electronic sounds with the gritty electronic sounds of the '80s," said Bethany Salte who along with husband Jared form the band's nucleus.

Their first single Running Away is a call to action about stepping forward and taking charge of life while Never Have the Time is a boy's love song to a girl too busy to enjoy life.

And Dreamers was inspired by the couple's car trip from Las Vegas to Los Angeles with the wind blowing in their hair and radio blasting their favourite tunes.

"It was a euphoric state of mind and we were lost in the music."

But Royal Foundry is very much grounded in music.

"Summertime is about doing things you don't normally do. And going to a festival and listening to music is something you might enjoy doing."

The Provincial Archive

Two-time recipients of the Edmonton Music Awards, the trio is composed of Bramwell Park and two St. Albert musicians, songwriter Craig Schram and Stephen Tchir.

It's difficult to affix a label to the sound since it spans indie folk to alt rock. Their focus instead is on developing serious writing chops and crafting music with a sense of adventure, quirkiness and a fun groove.

Experienced on the tour circuit, they've criss-crossed Canada on several occasions and toured Europe three times.

"Right from their breakout record Homeless Places, they've had a lot of energy and some good songwriting. It's nice to see a power trio doing so well and they're a nice fit for the festival," said Bailey.

Sykamore

When a singer wins a $75,000 development award from Project Wild, it opens up previously closed doors.

For Calgary-based Sykamore, it provided the opportunity to record a debut EP due out in mid-July.

A departure from her traditional stripped down country music and raw sound, Better Half veers into pop and folk with more instrumentation.

"I write my own songs. I grew up on a farm. My parents were rodeo athletes and there was a strong country influence in our family," said Sykamore.

"But I also front a folk band and I carry all its influences."

Paul Woida

Formerly from St. Albert, Paul Woida is a beloved singer-songwriter and master looper.

As a looper he records and plays back pieces of music using instruments and voice in real time all the while creating multiple layers that sound like a full band.

A multiple award winner, in 2016 Woida won the Airmiles 'Detour Big Break' competition that landed him a slot as the opening act for Meghan Trainor.

Unfamiliar with loopers, Bailey first saw Woida perform at the 2016 Mayor's Celebration of the Arts Gala.

"He was so creative technically with his music and vocal talent and mixing it right in front of you. It was really something."

Seven Music Fest gates open at 1 p.m. Beer gardens and five food trucks are on site. In the event fans want to try different cuisine, there are 12 global eating establishments within a two-block radius outside the festival site in St. Albert's downtown core.

Parking is limited. Free park and ride will be available at Village Transit Centre from noon until 11:45 p.m.