Shannon McNally

Conjures ghosts and heroines, thieves, lovers and redeemers in a transcendent folk-blues, country-rock moonshine she’s been pulling straight from the still for nearly 20 years. She’s been living in the deep South for fifteen years, first in New Orleans, then moved to the higher ground in the North Mississippi Hill Country after Hurricane Katrina. She’s about to hit the road for a tour with monumental songwriter Rodney Crowell, and sings with him on his just-released album Tarpaper Sky. Check out their inspired duet-singing on Famous Last Words Of A Fool.

Her last recording, Small Town Talk, is a loving, collaborative tribute to the late Bobby Charles, conceived and created together with the great Dr. John and his Lower 911 Band at Dockside Studios, deep in Louisiana’s bayou heart. Off Beat Magazine nominated the collection for Album of the Year 2014 She’s released 10 albums, been nominated for a Grammy Award, and performed with a who’s who of rock, country and soul: Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Vince Gill, Levon Helm, Charlie Sexton, Dr. John, Rufus Wainwright, Anders Osbourne, Luther and Cody Dickinson, Greg Leisz, Derek Trucks….

Erin Costelo

The question of what constitutes great soul music has been endlessly debated for decades. But what’s been proven by now is that it’s the domain of any artist with an ability to reach audiences not only on a personal level, but a spiritual level as well. It’s that rare breed of singer who can completely reveal themselves through their music, to the point where listeners feel a connection far deeper than mere entertainment. It is, as Bob Dylan put it, life and life only.

There will undoubtedly be more apt descriptions to come of Erin Costelo’s latest album Down Below, The Status Quo, but at its heart it is a reflection of her (and our) complicated world, expressed through a voice unlike any other in Canada. Having paid more overt tribute to her vintage soul music influences on her previous album, We Can Get Over, Erin’s musical evolution has taken its next natural step on Down Below, The Status Quo by channeling those vibes into 10 tracks that display her equally exceptional gifts as a producer, songwriter and arranger.