The Music festival Memoir

MFM: Hey Janis, how is your Folk Fest going?
Janis Irwin: Absolutely amazing!!!

“It’s been such a fun time bartending. Everyone is in a good mood, the vibes are good, and there’s constant good music playing.. but I have to say, one of the best parts is when we get a big tip! We yell it outloud and the whole cheers! It’s been so fun” - Bartender

“I’ve been coming to Folk Fest on and off since 2016, so for about ten years. For most of it I came just as a regular attendee, but I volunteered for the last three years. My main goal, is what you’re doing. I’d really like to take photographs at the festival. Over the last little bit, I’ve dabbled into learning photography, just self taught kind of thing, using Youtube videos, and concert photography is where my main interest is in. Who knows, maybe next year I’ll be snapping pics at Folk Fest!” - Cole

“I’ve been coming to Folk Fest with my family ever since I was a kid, and have such great memories here. Me, my sister and mom and dad all live pretty close to here, and I think subconsciously that being close to Folk Fest was a factor in picking the neighbourhood that we wanted to live in. But now I’m carrying on the family tradition and I’ve brought my kid to Folk Fest on Friday for the first time, she loved every bit of it. And of course, other than the great music and everyone you run into, there’s always a big selection of food. We had Pamanadi’s yesterday and going to try this now.'“ - Lisa

“We came to Folk Fest for the first time three years ago, and then we got hooked. What I like about it is that it’s close to home, and the music of course, and the people are so friendly. I try to tell my friends about it, but they always say they’re not into Folk music, but the thing is… it’s not just folk music! There’s such a wide variety that you can hear here, it’s truly such an underrated festival, in my opinion.” - Cindy

“I’ve been coming to Folk Fest for as long as I can remember. I’m involved pretty heavily in the music scene around Edmonton, so it’s a natural fit that I be apart of Folk Fest anytime I can. I love it here.

But this year, feels a little different. I just lost a friend, Brian Knight, who used to volunteer here all the time. It’s a little different without him, but being here reminds me of all the good times I’ve had with him.” - Mark

“We went to Folk Fest for a couple years when we started dating, but that was such a long time ago. Since then, we’ve had three kids, and three kids can get a little busy. Around this time, we always used to go to my parents cabin around Salmon Arm. But they sold it, and now that the kids are a little older and we have a babysitter, we figured we’d come back to Folk Fest. We knew a friend that was volunteering and she suggested we volunteer, so we did! It’s been a great experience. We both love Of Monsters and Men, so we’re really excited to see them!” - Taiki

“Yeah we honestly just love music and going to music festivals. I used to go to a place called Shambhala in B.C. It’s a different type of music than this, but the crowd is too, let’s just say busy. It’s almost chaotic. But when we come to Folk Fest, it’s nice, calm and peaceful and it’s a great way to discover new music. This one year, we saw this artist called Tash Sultana play, and she was absolutely unreal. From there, we just agreed that we’re going to go to Folk Fest whenever we can.” - Conrad

“Our favourite thing to do is dance, and honestly at the Folk Fest, that’s also our favourite thing to do. We like to hangout by the side on the mainstage, and our friends usually just find us there.”

“We just got married last September, so technically… this is our first Folk Fest as a married couple! Honestly, we’d always come to the Folk Fest just as friends, but as luck would have it, we fell in love, and here we are!” There’s just something magical about the Folk Fest, there always seems to be that one special moment at night, where the music, the crowd and the vibe is juuust right. It truly defines our summer. We also can’t wait to see Of Monsters and Men.. we saw them at 2011 Sasquatch festival, so we’ve been waiting over 15 years to see them again” - Jay and Tash

“I’m really excited to see Corb Lund, he’s such an amazing artist and really represents Alberta. Also, I’m just happy that it’s not raining today.. yet! But overall, I love the vibe here, we always have so much fun.” – Sam

“I used to come to the Folk Fest just as an attendee, but this year I thought.. what the heck, I should just volunteer! So I applied and got accepted and here I am. I like where I’m at right now at the top of the hill, I just get such a beautiful view of everything. The people have been so friendly and I think that’s one of the best parts about the Folk Fest, all of the amazing people!” – Michelle

“This is my first time volunteering at the Folk Fest and I didn’t think it was this big. This place is huge! But I love festivals in general, I love the music and meeting people and I thought it would be a great opportunity to volunteer. The artists I was most excited to see was the Womack sisters and I caught to watch them from the side stage. It’s been great so far!” – Chevy

“I’ve been coming to Folk Fest ever since I was a little kid, my parents used to take us all the time and I brought my friend Ryder to it. But only two weeks ago, I broke my fibula and I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to make it this year. But, it’s the Folk Fest. I knew I couldn’t miss it.. So yeah, I have my crutches, but everyone has been so nice and accommodating, letting me pass through. Broken fibula or not, I was going to make it here!” – Eli

“I’ve taken my daughters here over the last three years and they absolutely love it. It’s now, I guess you can say, part of our family tradition. They love dancing on the hill, and I think her favourite part near the end of the night is.. the mini donuts.” – Alex

“I can’t believe I just met the Mayor, that’s amazing. That’s what I’m learning about the Edmonton Folk Fest, you can meet anyone here. I’ve gotten into photography the last couple of years and I’m taking photos for Grant MacEwan. From what I can see, there’s always so much going on here, they’ll be a lot of pics for me to take!” – Dream

“You can’t even guess how many years I’ve been volunteering..” - Benjamin

“12 years” - MFM

“This is my 26th year volunteering at the Folk Fest. I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve seen so many amazing bands, met so many great people, and I brought Danielle here, and this is her second time here.” - Benjamin

“Yeah, I absolutely love it here.” – Danielle

"It’s been a great weekend so far, and I’m really enjoying watching this band—The Heavy Heavy. It’s actually her first time volunteering, but I’ve been volunteering at Folk Fest for 26 years. I’ve taken on various roles over the years, and now I’m the assistant coordinator for the festival" - Brad

"It’s my first year volunteering at Folk Fest, and I’m absolutely hooked. It’s been so much fun, especially because I’ve gotten to chat with so many artists. There was a British band that had me laughing—they were a blast! But my favourite set so far has definitely been Fantastic Negrito. The whole experience has been incredible, and I’m already looking forward to next year." - Lillian

"We come to Folk Fest every single year, and by now, we’ve got a system down—we all take turns doing the tarp run. We’re a bit higher up this year, but honestly, the view is great from anywhere, and at night, it’s just stunning and picturesque. We just saw the Ruen Brothers, and they were fantastic. Now we’re excited to catch Boy Golden later on." - Danielle

"I’ve had an awesome weekend! The pizza here has been fantastic, and the music has been even better. Blue Rodeo was amazing—definitely a highlight. It’s been fun, hot, and just an all-around great weekend. And seriously, that pizza hit the spot!" - Sam

"It’s been a great weekend—so hot, which has been good for business. People are loving the lemonade, and we’ve been busy non-stop all weekend. Our stand is by Stage 5, so we’ve been catching a lot of great music while we work. It’s been a fun, hectic few days, and we’re loving every minute of it." - Ajit

"This is my first time coming to Folk Fest, but she’s been coming for years. The only band I really knew beforehand was Blue Rodeo, but it’s been great getting to know all the other bands. We saw Boy Golden earlier, and they were really good. It’s been a fun day of discovering new music and soaking in the festival." - Jess

"I’m originally from Edmonton, but this is my first time back since moving to Victoria three years ago. I’m here because my boyfriend, Roy from Jon and Roy, is playing at the festival. We actually met playing music in Victoria, and one thing led to another, and here we are. It’s been amazing to catch up with so many friends after all these years—feels like coming home." - Vanessa

"I used to go to Folk Fest every year, but then I moved to Toronto, so it's been a while. Recently, I eloped in New York with my new husband, and as luck would have it, Folk Fest aligned perfectly with our trip. My husband’s a drummer, and his band is opening for NOFX tomorrow, so everything just lined up perfectly for us to be here. It’s been amazing running into old friends and catching up" - Charlotte

"Choosing my Saturday outfit is always a bit of a battle, but you can’t go wrong with classic cut-off sleeves and aviators. It’s a solid festival look. My favorite food so far has been the perogies—they’re always a hit. And of course, I have to end the night with mini donuts at the top of the hill. It’s become a bit of a tradition, and there’s nothing better to wrap up the day." - Kyle

"I'm having a great day so far! I came to see Kim Churchill—I've seen him play before, and he's not only a fantastic musician but also pretty good-looking. His performances never disappoint. I'm also really excited to see Angie McMahon later. The weather's perfect, the crowd's awesome, and the music has been on point. It's one of those days where everything just feels right." - Nicole

What inspired your outfit today?

"I had to think a bit about what my outfit for the day was going to be, but with the recent fires in Jasper, I decided to show some love by wearing a Jasper T-shirt. It’s from a charity collaboration with Oilersnation, and all the proceeds go to supporting Jasper. It feels good to be repping a good cause while having a great day at the festival. The vibes are awesome, and it’s just nice to know that even in a small way, I’m helping out."

"Saturday is definitely the best day at Folk Fest, but it also means choosing the perfect outfit. My friends and I made a pact for ‘Fancy Hat Saturday,’ but only two of us actually followed through. I picked up my outfit earlier today at Value Village for just $14, and honestly, I think I look pretty good! It’s all part of the fun—dressing up, enjoying the music, and making memories." - Trevor

"I drove up from Calgary just for the day because I couldn’t miss seeing Wild Rivers and Angie McMahon. Since I moved away, I haven’t been able to go to Folk Fest like I used to, and every year I get major FOMO. But I’m so glad to be back, even if it's just for today. It feels great to be here again and soak up the festival vibes." - Jamie

"I like to think that walking up the hill is my exercise for the weekend—it’s my way of burning off all the great food and beer I've had! But honestly, there’s nothing better than watching the mainstage from the top of the hill at night. The view up there is just incredible, especially when the stage lights up. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the festival for me." - Ryan

"This is my first Folk Festival, and I’m having a blast! I even bought a weekend pass because I didn’t want to miss anything. I usually listen to rap music, but this is pretty cool. My dad’s a huge Led Zeppelin fan, so he’s jealous that I’m getting to see Robert Plant. He used to play Led Zeppelin all the time when I was a kid, so it’s pretty wild to be here now and see one of the legends in person." - Teo

"We think the baby is really enjoying the festival—he’s been soaking it all in! We brought headphones for him to protect his little ears, and people keep coming up to say how cute he is. He’s just starting to learn how to walk, so we’ve got to keep a tight eye on him because he’s always trying to make a break for it. He won’t last long, though, so it’s going to be an early night for us. But it’s all worth it to share this with him." - Rachelle

"Folk Fest has quickly become our favorite summer thing—we started coming just two years ago, and now we can’t get enough. I've been telling all my friends about it because our group usually sticks to EDM music. I’m trying to get them to open up their musical tastes, and this is the good place to do it.." - Alex

"We're just here for tonight since we could only get babysitters for the evening. Normally, we’d make a weekend out of it, but honestly, we're enjoying the night anyway. We’re not too familiar with the bands playing, but that's part of the fun—discovering new music. Plus, it’s a great excuse to meet up with friends, relax, and maybe have a beer or two. It's all about soaking in the atmosphere and making the most of the night." - Colin

"It's been great running into my niece at this festival. Life is too short not to cherish and support each other, especially when we have the chance to make new, positive memories together." - Lillian

"I really enjoy dressing up in costumes for the festival—it adds so much to the vibe! It’s like a parade of creativity and fun. This year, I’m channeling my inner pirate, and let me tell you, it’s all about ‘shiver me timbers’ and ‘yo-ho-ho’! It just brings everyone together and makes the atmosphere even more lively. I look forward to it every year; it’s my way of adding a bit of extra flair and joy to the festival experience!" - Pirate 1

"I originally bought tickets for my boyfriend, but he ended up going to a different festival, so now I’m here solo. It actually worked out great because a friend’s dad, who’s a huge Led Zeppelin fan, wanted a weekend ticket but they were sold out. Now he’s coming, and he’s thrilled about Robert Plant playing on Sunday! I'm also hoping to reconnect with some old friends this weekend, so it's shaping up to be a fantastic time after all." - Nicole

"This is actually my 17th year volunteering at the festival, and I have to say, wearing this funky hat never gets old—it's a hit with everyone, including the guests! What I love most about the festival is the incredible vibe, the friendly people, and the way everyone shares smiles and good energy. It’s such a joy to be part of this community. I’m especially excited for Robert Plant's performance on Sunday; it’s going to be a perfect end to an amazing weekend!" - James

"It's been an incredible experience being back at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival for the first time since the pandemic. I’m thrilled that the festival offers such a great selection of non-alcoholic drinks—it's made my time here even more enjoyable. Plus, with my wedding coming up in September, life feels like it's really coming together. Everything is looking up, and I'm soaking in every moment and this festival is my last hurrah before getting married!!"

- Megan

"This is my first time volunteering for Folk Fest. I’ve always gone as an attendee, but I wanted to try something different this year. With my background in communication and PR, I ended up in the media relations team, which has been a great fit. It’s been a wonderful weekend, and the weather turned out perfect. I’m really glad I made the switch to volunteering this year—it’s been an amazing experience." - Elizabeth

"I've been a Led Zeppelin fan since I was a kid—they were a huge influence on my life. So, it’s pretty mind-blowing that Robert Plant is playing at Folk Fest. That’s massive, probably the biggest artist Folk Fest has ever had. I’m super excited for his show—I can’t wait!"

“Normally, Folk Fest has been a friends-only affair for me, but this year marks a new chapter as we decided to bring the kids along. And I must say, it's been a fantastic change of pace. Seeing my son and his friend running around, making new buddies and having a blast adds a whole new level of excitement to the festival. While they're engrossed in their adventures, I've found the perfect balance – I can kick back, enjoy the sweet tunes from some amazing bands” - Crystal

“Attending Folk Fest again after a decade-long break has been a blast. The familiar faces in the crowd have been a pleasant surprise, like running into an old friend you haven't seen in years. Among them was a girl I actually hired years ago but lost touch with. It's been awesome catching up and reminiscing about the past while enjoying the festival vibes.

One of the aspects I'm really digging about Folk Fest this time around is the freedom to enjoy a beer while catching the shows. It's a game-changer that allows me to immerse myself in the music while sipping on a cold one. No need to be confined to a specific area – I can wander around, catch different acts, and still have my drink. It's a simple pleasure that adds a whole new layer to the festival experience, making it even more enjoyable and relaxed. Kudos to the organizers for embracing this laid-back vibe.” - Robyn

“I've gotta say, I feel pretty darn lucky most of the time. Funny thing is, I've sold 50/50 tickets to some folks in the past, and guess what? They ended up winning! It's like I bring the good vibes or something. And let's talk about the folk fest – it's just plain awesome. The music, the people, everything. It's like this whole different world that pops up every year in Edmonton, and I'm all about soaking up that magic.” - Samantha

Being a lifelong musician, my heart has always beat to the rhythm of the guitar. This summer, I made a bold move by taking a break to fully immerse myself in my music. However, this year held a new adventure in store – I signed up as a volunteer for the folk fest. My shifts as security ran from 9 pm to 9 am. Experiencing the event from this fresh perspective was a truly unique experience. With my shifts behind me now, I'm absolutely stoked to finally partake in the festivities as an attendee. Attending the folk fest has been an annual tradition for my friends and me — the music, the ambience, and the shared moments are what give the festival its charm.” - Daniel at the Edmonton Folk Fest

“Retiring from my long teaching career feels pretty amazing right now. I just got back from a fantastic two-month trip in Europe, and it's like a whole new world has opened up for me. You know, I've been coming to the folk fest for the last 20 years, and let me tell you, it's the ultimate way to wrap up the summer. The people, the music, the food – everything about it is just awesome. The vibes are so positive, and there's this incredible energy that you can't find anywhere else. I can't help but feel a deep connection to it all. The folk fest IS Edmonton, in my opinion. It's like a big, beautiful celebration of everything that makes this city special, and I absolutely love being a part of it.” - Marc at Edmonton Folk Festival

"This is me and my boy. Our first festival (my first festival as a mama) was challenging to say the least. I can say he did great adapting to all the people, dust and loud music. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it! He also loved waving and smiling to every that passed!"

- Rani Noriega Evans at Global Eclipse Gathering

"Sometimes you have to be a recluse and avoid social contact at all costs, but other times you have to go to Burning Man... and cover your entire body in blue glitter!!".

-Ali at Burning Man

A shout out to all who help in keeping us safe at festivals!

"We are the Medical Office Assistants, handling all the administrative duties, triage and paperwork. We make sure everything on the sidelines can run smoothly so that the Doctors, RN's, PCP, OFA's can do what they do best, attend to all the patients that come in with minor to major injuries, along with those who are in an altered state ...of mind.

It's truly a team effort, it takes the best people who have been managing our festival, who not only care about the atmosphere of the venue itself, but also the safety of festival go'ers to have a safe space when people need it. That's why we call it Shambhalove!"

- Leanne at Shambhala Music Festival See More

"It's been a bit and I think I'll start slowly reflecting on my time at Lollapalooza. I've been immersing myself in the music scene and music festival culture for a good bit of my life now and I have to say it's the best place for me to be.

I've never felt like I belong anywhere more than a massive crowd of music lovers. The world as a whole is so sick and negative lately and to be honest it scares the shit out of me everyday. Music is an amazing vehicle for change and for bettering the world. I'm forever grateful for the chance to explore and have these amazing experiences".

- Daniella Singleton at Lolapalooza

"I like hooping to any type of music.. I love jazz I love the blues.
There's this Blues singer, Tracy Wells, I remember she was singing on stage and I was hooping very slowly and she said over the mic "I didn't know the Blues was hooping music". And I told her, "Everything is hooping music.. if you just feel it".

- Cassandra Bauman at Astral Harvest

"Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny".

- Cassidy Reichman at Oregon Country Fair

"I love when you walk through the gates, you know you're at home. Walking in your most natural form, receiving no judgment.. just love".

- Courtney Davies

"When a group of powerful, independent women still invite you along to help them open all of their pickle jars.."

Max B at Oregon Country Fair

"The Edmonton music scene is very dear to my heart. I first started playing open mics at local bars, and I was very timid and shy. I met someone named Zack who really brought me out of my shell, and gave me the confidence to sing, and ultimately gave me the confidence to become an artist. Most recently I was in a band called Mayday and the Beatcreeps and we had some local success with radio play and winning contests through the radio stations. Currently I'm focused on my band, Swear by the Moon, with my friend Zack. We play often at bars and we've toured the local festival circuit this summer and hopefully next year we can play the Folk Fest!"

- Meagan Loves

“I’m getting ready to tour at the start of next month throughout Western Canada and some dates out East. I’m going to take a break and take some time to visit my family in Dubai. My family hasn’t actually seen me play live yet, only through videos. They haven’t been able to come to Canada, they’ve been denied 3 times, but I’m hopeful they can one day get accepted. The thought of playing in front of them makes me so nervous, but I’m excited for the chance to at the same time. 

I have a record coming out fairly soon and working with Artists in Residence with the Folk Fest. They started a program this year and I’m their first Artist to work with the program. We’re branching out connections to the multicultural communities in Edmonton. We’re branching out to the ethnic groups in Edmonton. There is a lot of art and music out there and I’ll be playing to some inner city schools and ethnic events. We’re trying to branch out to the communities to expand the arts and some mentorship for emerging artists. We’re hopeful that we can bring that amazing talent one day, to the Edmonton Folk Festival. I’ll be the Resident Artist for a year, and I’m excited for the opportunity! 
 

-        Mohsin Zaman

"My boyfriend is a professional hockey player, and we've bounced around Europe the last couple of years. When his season was over in Sweden this year, and we headed back home right after the season ended. We've been here since May and he didn't have any contracts coming up for next season, but we found out a couple months ago that a team in Germany is offering him a contract. These will be my last couple weeks in Edmonton, but I'm so glad to be able to hangout with my friends here. I don't get to see them very much these days, but we're going to make the best of it!"

- Breanne McLauglin

“I’ve been coming to Folk Fest for the last 15 years; definitely for the music, but mostly as a vendor. My brother owned this food truck and I would work for him every summer, while I was in school. We would get accepted to Folk Fest and we would sell perogies all weekend! I just remember it being an all-around fun time. My brother has since sold the food truck to my uncle and I live in New York now with my boyfriend. I was back in Edmonton this summer and my uncle asked me to work the food truck, and I couldn’t say no! It feels great to be back here”

-        Lori Giampa

“We recently moved downtown this year, primarily for the music scene. We’re both passionate about music and this summer we’ve been to North Country Fair and Seven Music Fest. We rode our bikes here and they have a very secure system and procedure. For us, this is a really great way to almost end the summer.  ”

-        Mike Watson

“I’ve lived in Edmonton my whole life and I’m almost embarrassed to say that this is my first Folk Fest. My friends have been going for years and they absolutely love it. I’ve just always been working or out of town, but this weekend was my first weekend that I’ve been able to relax. I started a jewelry company this year and have been really busy all summer, trying to grow my business. My boyfriend, who’s been with me the whole process, surprised me with a pass to Folk Fest for this weekend. The weekend has been amazing so far. I can’t wait to see Dallas Green and Jose Gonzalez play together!”

-        Rachelle Gallant

"There's a big group of us and we've been planning everything for a year. You should see our camp, we have totems everywhere. We have inflatable aliens, totems, peace signs and glitter. Lots and lots of glitter. I made these jet packs out of 2 litre bottles, some rope and some spray paint. Basically, I used it from the leftover materials from my wedding!

I make things because it's fun. I love reactions from people.. they want to know what it's all about and you get to meet the best people!"

-Crystal and Nikki at Astral Harvest

"I was dancing and some random lady came up to me and gave me this. She didn't say anything, but she just smiled and handed it to me. It's my favorite thing I was given at the forest!"

- Ashley Rose at Electric Forest

"The imagination station is a tent of collaborative art projects. One of my art projects is the I Heart Inkblot, where we make inkblot art with water colour paint and then draw on top of whatever the water colour painting has created. 

I fell in love with ink blotting ten years ago with my own inkblot art and doing my own thing. I eventually started bringing it to people and doing workshops. I wanted to show people that every single person has a side of creativity to them. I wanted to show some people that thought they maybe weren't creative, but they really are".

-Tamera Newton at Astral Harvest — with Tamera Newton.

"My friends call my art "Psychedlic Toonscape" and I've been doing it since I got out of High School. I haven't had a "real" job in two years and this is my means of income, this is my passion. Anytime I was given a type of project or something to write on, I would finish the school assignment and finish it as fast as I could, just so I could doodle all over the sides of the page. At first I just used it as a way of escaping from a place I didn't really want to be. But now, it's exactly where I want to be".

Ryan Weisser at Astral Harvest — with Ryan Weisser.

A parade.. with pies.. at a festival. YUM!

"It's our 7th annual Grande Prairie Pie Parade. There are around 30 of us and we each make a pie, dress up in neon and parade around the festival handing out pie to whoever wants any. People come running for the pies and by the time we hit the beach stage we're almost out! Pie to the people because the people want pies!!"

- Melanie Stewart at Astral Harvest

All aboard the Hippie Bus! 

"This bus belongs to my friend and it's been his hippie bus for years and has seen many fairs. We were partying on top of the bus and we busted out the paints and giving the bus a makeover. Brushes were free to passersby and anyone who wanted to contribute and let the creativity flow. 

Naturally, we started hollering at all the beautiful people passing by and the theme went from "suns out, guns out", which eventually turned into "tits out, dicks out. Lots of laughs, and we had a paintbrush and a tally of boobies, asses and other unmentionables we saw!"

- Alicia Dawn at North Country Fair

Let's show some love for a fallen brother.

"Victor was part of our festival squad. He was our tall, goofy friend who was never seen in a bad mood. Last week while at Electric Forest, Friday morning I got the news that Victor had drowned at his apartment pool the night before. 

When I got the news I went into shock. I was in line for a Chaya pin drop that Vic wanted me to catch for him. I was talking about him to strangers moments before the news. I got the pin for him and I am giving it to his mom. 

After coming to grips with the situation, my girlfriend and I gathered our quartz crystals and play dough, along with a box and some sharpies set out to make a shrine in memory for our fallen comrade".

Padrig at Electric Forest

Victor Cauffield 1994 -2017

"There are some people in life that make you laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger, live just a little bit better... and then there are some people who make your stomach hurt from laughing, who keep your smile lit and make adventures more epic and magical".

- Kyndle Kuchera at Electric Forest

"This man and his crew of Michigan State Police Officers are spreading the good vibes out here. High five'ing everybody and telling us all to have a "Happy Forest" and a great day. 

Hate all you want, but to me, Police are just another life form.. just like all people some are biter assholes and some are just doing their job! Happy Forest!!"

Alexandros Triantafillou at Electric Forest

Kurtis Schultz - Better Living DJ's

1) You're a drummer and a DJ/producer, how did you get your start in both?

I started drumming when I was 12 years old. One of my neighbours had a drum kit and while my family was visiting I got to try it out. Somehow, I could just play. That summer, I borrowed the kit from my school and I was hooked. I had been learning to play piano and violin for a few years up to that point, but I had found a true passion for drums. By the time I was 15, I realized I wanted to put my focus solely on music. 

I didn't get into DJ'ing until I was 17 or 18. At that time I was really into hip hop and starting to dabble in electronic music. I had started a pretty decent record collection of garage sale finds and decided to buy a set of turntables and a cheap mixer. I would buy a few hip hop records online every few weeks and learned how to beat match and scatch a little bit. I only had them a couple of years, but I ended up selling them to buy a drum kit hoping to replace them with better gear. It didn't happen until 5 years later. 

2) You've done some travelling as a musician. What are some life lessons that you've learned as a travelling musician? Some things you've learned in general? 

One thing that truly stands out to me is the importance of patience. On the road, unexpected things happen all the time. I used to crave structure, wanting everything to be at  maximum efficiency. Now I just try to enjoy the ride. Sometimes the long way around is really the best!

3) How did you learn to produce/DJ ad who were your influences growing up?

I was heavily influenced by hip hop records from the 90's when I started DJ'ing, I wanted to produce beats like the ones I heard. I would listen to records and write down the techniques I thought the producers were using. Using Protools I would try to replicate the techniques using original sounds and melodies. I always loved that I could record real sounds, use individual samples, sample parts of songs and use midi to control synths to do things that a human can't physically do. In my mind, the possibilities are endless. 

4) If you could describe playing in front of an audience, how would you describe it?

It's the best feeling in the world! I would love to perform and make people happy. When I'm at a concert and I feel connected with the performers on stage, It's amazing! To be on the other side of that connection and give my heart and soul through music to a crowd of people is indescribable. 

5) Can you describe your sets at Astral Harvest and your overall experience? 

My entire festival experience was second to none. These are my favourite grounds of any festival I've been to. As a long time NCF patron I feel at home at this place. I love that Astral Harvest is held here and another community of music lovers can enjoy it. Playing at Astral is so incredibly fun! I feel like everyone is really open and waiting to take the music in. Also, with so many close friends there to share the experience with, it's impossible not to feel comfortable. It was an absolute blessing to play both the Beach Stage and Manor stage!

What does North Country Fair mean to you?

"Going to North Country Fair meant finding a place of belonging. When "welcome home" was first said to me there, those two words carried all the thoughts and feels I was experiencing. I can't believe this is only my third fair, but it really is HOME.

How did you get involved in the music scene?

"I got involved in the music scene by going to a ridiculous amount of local shows and seeing the same people and musicians at those shows. Friendships formed from there. The Edmonton music scene is full of talented, supportive, generous, ambitious, and driven folks who have inspired me to want to do the same. I’m not a musician myself (and don’t plan on becoming one) but I felt more and more connected to others through the music and experiences I had at shows. I wanted to be able to return the support I received from the music community". - Valeeshia Young

"Last year I went to Groovin The Moo as a moo cow and this year my beautiful girlfriend went with me as a moo cow... It's hard to find someone who will commit to silly shit with you in this world. So when you do, hold onto them".

Corey Hopkin at Groovin The Moo

"I like you and I like to dance. Put those two together... and we'll call it magic".

- Sarah Massoglia at CRSSD festival