When brothers Ryan and Scott Hupman began playing in the Annapolis Valley, they were quickly recognized for their superb musicianship and soon became local favourites. Prolific songwriters, their songs borrow from blues, rock and roll, jazz, or whatever genre best presents the song. Helping them to achieve this unique Hupman Brothers Band sound is Adam Bazinet (drums) and Chris Robison (bass). Their accomplishments include various nominations and awards including an ECMA for ”Countin’ Quarters”, a Music Nova Scotia Award, International Song writing competition semi-finalist win, and a Maple Blues Award Nomination. The Hupman Brothers both play, and earn, Producer, Recording Engineer, and Graphic Artist credits on many other artists’ albums as well as their own. They have six studio recordings and one live recording. Their latest recording “Black River Blues” was nominated for a 2015 ECMA.  Check out their website at www.hupmanbrothers.com.

Sahara Jane's original music is a unique blend of country folk with influences from Indian classical music and Sufi poetry.  She is an accomplished solo act as demonstrated in her 2012 CD, “Lonesome Sky” but is also an amazing part of such groups as Ask Your Sister (with sisters Kamila & Ariana Nasr and Andy Flinn) and Blue Lotus Trio (with Ken Shorley & Heidi Kalyani).  Sahara divides her time between India and Wolfville, but calls the Annapolis Valley home.

Website: www.saharajanemusic.blogspot.ca

Scott writes for and fronts the band The Dungaree Brothers - a cultural fixture in Wolfville in the Wolfville area since the late 1980s. More recently the Dungarees collaborated with The Hupman Brothers Band on “The South Mountain Swamp Rock Opera” CD which garnered Blues Recording of the Year nominations from the ECMAs and Nova Scotia Music Week. Since then, he has continued to collaborate with the Hupman Brothers producing “Scott Prudence and Some of the Other Virtues, Radio Tower” 2012 and their latest collaboration in 2014, “Tuesday Night Therapy”.   

From an early age Amin wrote poetry, most of which were inspired by Sufi poets such as Rumi and Hafiz. Poetry lead him to write songs and sing. Regardless of how busy, music has always been an integral part of his life, taking time to sing every day. He lives in Wolfville with his wife, Rebecca. His songs have been recorded by Andy and Ariana and Ken Shorley.  

Caleb Miles has spent most of his life  traveling and performing across the US, playing a blend of folk, rock and blues. In 2005 he moved to Nova Scotia and found a vibrant, art-minded community that serves as inspiration to keep writing and performing. He  has cultivated an excellent reputation amongst both local audiences and musicians.  Caleb plays drums for Dayliner, and has started a new funk and blues band called Conqueroots. His recordings  showcase his masterful and meaty guitar work, along with his well-crafted lyrics, laid-back voice, and pleasingly intricate arrangements. Caleb has performed throughout The Maritimes as lead guitarist for The Hupman Brothers Band (2010 ECMA for Best Blues Album, 2011 Music Nova Scotia Award for Blues Album Of The Year), and was featured on CBC’s Atlantic Airwaves. Website: www.calebmiles.net.

For 20 years, Kimberly Matheson has been crafting songs inspired by the people, places, and events of her life. Living in Wolfville, NS, she has two collections of original songs.   – her debut album, “Never Enough, 2011 and “Just As I Am” in 20114. Presently she is completing her soon to be  released  album “Sweet Spot”.  With a pure folk-singer's voice, Kimberly’s songs have a beautiful ring of truth and honesty.  For people who live in the Wolfville area, many of her songs also have a special appeal - they reflect us, and this special place where we live. Previously, she has performed at the Deep Roots 2008  and can be seen performing at local benefits, open mics and Wolfville’s Night Kitchen. With the newly created Ruby Throated Records, in 2015, she produced “Let The Good New Ring, Christmas Songs from the Annapolis Valley”, 14 original songs from some of The Valley’s finest musical talents. Find her music for sale at www.rubythroatedrecords.com, at The Rolled Oat Cafe and The Box of Delights in Wolfville.

Jack is a musician and a thoughtful songwriter who has shared his music with many local musicians in every genre from Old Tyme and  Celtic to Rhythm and Blues.  Jack has two solo albums (“Domestic Acoustic” 2005 and “The Blues Was Settlin’ In” 2010) and currently fronts the three-piece band Up Dog that also features Alex Porter on drums and Kory Bayer on bass.  Up Dog plays American Roots, Folk, Country, and Blues originals and recorded their first album, “Updog” at Sound Market Recording Studios in Wolfville, Nova Scotia in 2014.

Website: www.updogwolfville.bandcamp.com/

Heather’s soulful music is an blend of folk, bluegrass, and jazz. Her strong voice, multi-instrumental talents (including banjo, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, and piano), and lyrical passion for the natural world, carve a unique place for her in Canada’s music scene.  After several years as an emerging solo artist, audiences have come to expect a Heather Kelday show to include unique compositions and collaborations with talented back-up musicians of varied genres including folk, blues, Celtic, world music, bluegrass, and more.   They can also expect to be singing and participating as all shows are highly interactive.  Find her CDs (including “The Hitchin’ Post 2009”  “The Golden Mile” 2014 and others) at www.heatherkelday.com. 

Donna Holmes operates her own administrative services business by day and is a singer-songwriter by night.  She lives in Wolfville, Nova Scotia and hosts an open mic every Tuesday evening at the local TAN café.  Donna also writes plays and poems and produces a variety show called Broken Leg Theatre three times a year at the Al Whittle. For the past five years she has produced and performed at the annual Singing for our Supper concert which raises money for the Wolfville Community Christmas Dinner. Recent gigs include singing back-up for both the Up Dog and Heather Kelday CD release concerts, performing at Night Kitchen, and singing at the Halifax Jazz Festival with the Annapolis Big Band.   

With a “voice of smoke and honey”, interesting chord progressions, and an easy stage presence, Mike Aubé is an alt-folk songwriter on a mission to “comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable”.   Part guitar-slinging poet, part joker, part environmental crusader; Mike’s music is grounded in roots tradition, with hints of funk and rock influences.  The songs on his solo albums are great examples of his droll lyrics, original style, and smooth vocals.  He has 3 studio recordings: “Aberdeen Street” 2006, “Cluster Folk” 2009, and“Folk the System” 2013. Find out more about Mike at  www.mikeaube.com

Bruce has long been a local favourite, singing well crafted songs, many with the theme of love or love gone wrong. His quick wit is showcased in songs such as “The Larsen’s Weanie” and “Long Johns and Leather”.  He played in the band, Slight of Hand for nine years and appeared with Steve West on the television show, New Faces. He released “Uncommon Sense” in 2013. Bruce can be heard singing at local open mice and benefits. 

The son of a folk musician mother, and Blues/ Bluegrass musician father, Pete Adams was drawn to a variety of music genres from an early age.  At 21, he turned his talents to rapping, and before long had developed a memorable, gritty, flow, tone and writing style. Teaming up with award-winning sound production engineer, Andy Bowmer, and learning the ropes of production along the way, and beat production from shadowville.com, Pete (aka “Sewer Rat” or “Sewa”) released his debut EP, “Sewa From Tha Stix” in 2010 and a digital mixtape, “Blue n Yellow” in 2011.  Also known for being part of Funtime Brigade, he had a hand in creating 7 episodes of Make Time a local talk show podcast. You can find more info about Pete and his music at https://soundcloud.com/sewer-1.

Andy and Ariana’s music has been described as a  mix of gypsy, roots, jazz, and blues original music which combines Andy's guitar, bass and beat-box rhythm section with Ariana's vocals, violin and saxophone to create a soulful joyful sound.  For musical and songwriting inspiration, the two have much to draw on - from their Swiss/Danish and Afghan/Canadian roots, via popular music ranging from jazz to rock. Previous recordings include “Eye To Eye” 2013, “Good To Be Home’ 2012, “Seeking Commotion” 2010, “Look At Them Apples” 2009, and “New Teeth On Stage” 2008. In 2014 they teamed up with family members, Sahara Jane and Kamila Nasr and created, recorded and toured as Ask Your Sister. For more about Andy and Ariana go to www.andyandariana.com

Cathy Arsenault and Kate Adams enjoy sharing the art of song writing and having pure fun with arrangements and harmonies.  Cathy and Kate have been performing together for over 20 years.   In 2000 Cuckoo Moon had expanded to 7 members and it was then they recorded their CD “Live at Fundy Folk”.  Condensed now to a folk duo, Cuckoo Moon’s music has grown to include collaborative song writing. Cathy and Kate both play vintage Gibson guitars, weaving percussive rhythms with finger picking and imaginative guitar tunings. They have a new recording set to be released in 2015. Cuckoomoon's website is www.cuckoomoon.ca