Folk Canada is preparing for our very first official delegation to English Folk Expo (EFEx) in Manchester, and our Meet the Canadians event in London, UK, and we couldn't be more thrilled. This journey marks a significant step forward as we showcase some of Canada's outstanding folk talent and connect with our friends and partners across the pond.
International Spotlight on Canada: English Folk Expo Showcase
As proud international partners at EFEx, Folk Canada will host a dynamic showcase highlighting three exceptional Canadian folk acts:
Diyet & The Love Soldiers, blending Indigenous traditions with contemporary sounds.
Luke Wallace, known for passionate songwriting and environmental advocacy.
Basset, whose harmonies and storytelling charm audiences wherever they go.
Showcase Details:
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Doors: 1:45 PM
Venue: Band on the Wall, Manchester
Come along and enjoy these incredible performances, meet our artists, and toast Canada's thriving folk music community—drinks are on us! Don’t forget to swing by our trade stand Saturday to meet our delegation.
Meet the Canadians Reception in London (Invite-only)
After EFEx, we're hosting an exclusive industry reception at the iconic Green Note in Camden:
Date: Monday, 24th March 2025
Doors: 2:00 PM
Venue: Green Note, Camden (106 Parkway, London NW1 7AN)
Join us for an afternoon of networking, great food, complimentary drinks, and intimate live sets from:
King Cardiac
Sarah Jane Scouten
Diyet & the Love Soldiers
Luke Wallace
Basset
Spaces for this special gathering are limited, so please confirm your attendance soon by RSVP-ing here:
Folk Canada was recently created by merging Folk Music Ontario and Folk Music Canada, combining decades of experience and passion for Canadian folk music. Our mission is clear: building global connections and supporting artists, presenters, and music companies who bring Canada’s unique stories to the world.
We can't wait to celebrate with you in the UK!
Diyet & The Love Soldiers
Diyet was born in a tent and spent her childhood on the ancestral lands of the Kluane First Nation people in Canada’s Yukon Territory. Coming from a family rooted in traditions but tempered with a good sense of adventurous hippie attitudes, Diyet has created a musical presence that is as diverse as her Southern Tutchone, Tlingit, Japanese and Scottish heritage.
Diyet & The Love Soldiers is alternative country, folk, roots and traditional with catchy melodies and stories deeply rooted in Diyet’s Indigenous world view and northern life. Diyet sings in both English and Southern Tutchone (her native language) and plays bass guitar. Backed by Love Soldiers: husband and collaborator, Robert van Lieshout (acoustic guitar, drums & percussion) and Juno Award winning producer, Bob Hamilton (electric guitar, pedal steel & mandolin); this trio multi instrumental trio from the Yukon has a sound that can fill a big stage or capture an intimate room.
Basset
Toronto-based folk duo, Basset, are full of timeless heart, with deeply human lyrics and stunning duo harmonies reminiscent of the early folk revival. Yasmine Shelton has one of those instantly recognizable voices that can dive, dip and soar all in a single phrase, while Sam Clark brings nuanced and tasteful support on guitar and other acoustic instruments.
Produced by Joshua Van Tassel, their Canadian Folk Music Award-nominated album In The Clay (2022) explores various themes of life in change, Shelton and Clark’s travels, and their lives growing up in opposite ends of Toronto. CBC Q’s Tom Power says “if you’re a lover of great close harmonies, like Simon and Garfunkel, or Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, I think you’re going to love this”.
Luke Wallace
Luke Wallace is a dynamic force in the world of folk music, using his talent as a songwriter, speaker, and choral arranger to champion environmental causes and inspire positive change. Hailing from the Coast Salish Territory known as Vancouver, Canada, Luke has been on a decade-long journey of touring, recording, and organizing for the betterment of people and the planet.
Luke's unique brand of politically charged folk has earned him a loyal following and a reputation as a modern-day Pete Seeger. From festivals to rallies to venues, Luke's music is a rallying cry for a movement of people rising up to meet the social and environmental challenges of our time. With his latest album, The Dandelion Resistance," Luke continues to push the boundaries of folk music and prove that art can be a powerful tool for change.
King Cardiac
The genre bending ensemble features singer-songwriter and guitarist Gabriel DeSantis uniting with Toronto heavyweights; Paul Metcalfe, Sam Petite, Tom Richards, Lowell Whitty and Alan Zemaitis to explore matters that rule the heart with a unique blend of R&B Folk.
For Bloodlines, the band settled into "The Rooster Studio” run by Don Kerr (Bahamas, Ron Sexsmith) who engineered and co-produced the record along with DeSantis. It was mastered by Grammy nominee and Juno and Polaris Prize winner, Philip Shaw Bova (Feist, LidoPimienta, Andy Shauf).
Sarah Jane Scouten
Sarah Jane Scouten has been nominated for 4 Canadian Folk Music Awards, a Western Canadian Music Award and an International Folk Music Award. She has performed at Vancouver Folk Music Festival, MerleFest, Calgary Folk Music Festival, Salmon Arm Roots and Blues, Dranouter Festival, Maverick Americana Music Festival and more. She has opened for Corb Lund, William Prince, Ron Sexsmith, The Sadies and shared the stage with Martha Wainwright, The Strumbellas, Allison Russell, Martin Carthy, Mandolin Orange (Watchhouse) and more. According to CBC q’s Tom Power, "Stan Rogers was able to do it, Ron Hynes was able to do it, Kate McGarrigle was able to do it – and Sarah Jane Scouten is able to do it."
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