Friday, March 8, 20198

Brian Campbell is a poet and singer, dextrous finger stylist, and impassioned, heartfelt singer. His sets are dynamic contrasts of serious and light, sorrowful and joyful, plainspoken and lyrical, with occasional flashes of satire and humour. Songwriting influences include Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and James Taylor, and such Latin-American singer-songwriters as Pablo Milanés and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Brian’s CD, The Courtier’s Manuscript, includes a song which earned a Certificate of Achievement at the International Unisong Competition. To learn more about Brian’s music and poetry, visit www.briancampbell.ca.

Margo Ellis has been playing guitar since she was 10 years old, starting with a few lessons with the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. She began playing in coffee houses and festivals until moving to Quebec 20 years ago. As a singer-songwriter, her style involves intricate guitar work backing a strong alto voice. She leans toward contemporary folk with occasional forays into traditional music and country, and loves instrumental work, particularly in alternate guitar tunings. Most recently part of the trio The Greater Goods, known to the Side Door Coffee House’s amazing audience, she can be found playing around Montreal in various venues.

The Echo Hunters have been a fixture of Montreal’s vibrant music scene since forever. Proof is the loyalty of an entire generation of folk-roots fans, earned night after night, gig after gig. It is music that’s easy on the ear, yet difficult to pigeonhole, an eclectic indie folk sound that vibrates in every riff of this amazing five-piece act. Considered one of Canada’s most authentic folk-rock bands of the past decade, The Echo Hunters have often been compared to CSN&Y, Buffalo Springfield and Harmonium. But this band’s infectious sound and strong yet accessible material have transposed those early influences into this century. Their rootsy blend of styles rivals Mumford & Sons or The Lumineers, even as they stake out their territory as the very essence of Canadiana.