Sue Pyper
Sue is an award winning songwriter originally from the UK. The title track of her first album "Before You Learn to Fly" won "Song of the Year" at
the Vancouver Island Songwriter's Awards in 2003. Judy was honoured to be part of her latest release, "Tail Lights in the Rain". You can hear some sound clips of her beautiful music on her web site www.suepyper.com. Sue has a great sense of humour and it's definitely
worth catching one of Sue's live performances if you're able to. Sue
is also a professional graphic designer, and designed our album cover for This Heart This Season. You can check out her online portfolio
at Emagination Design.
Vanislandbrewery.com - We had a bit of fun with a music video we did that featured our song "Islander" and Vancouver Islander beer. Our thanks to the brewery for permission to use their branding in our "Spring Yarn".
Richard Caissie is a popular Comox Valley musician whom we met through the Comox Valley Songwriter's Circle. We've performed with Richard on a few occasions including his recent CD release concert celebrating his new album "Safe Harbour". Richard is a motivated and inspiring musician with a great sense of humour and playing style reminiscent of James Taylor.
Gordon Carter is a Comox Valley songwriter and has two great CD's, "Rivers and Roads" and "Diary of a Coaltown". Gord is an excellent story teller and his songs capture the sorrow, pride, and camaraderie of the working class. He's also an accomplished guitar picker with a seemingly endless repertoire of songs!
Trinitude is a great sounding family group from Nanaimo, BC who released their debut album "Rooted" in February of 2008 . Playfully referring to themselves as "Papatude", "Mamatude", and "Attitude", their celtic flavoured roots music really gets your toes tapping. Their songs are very spirited and well written with robust harmonies and lots of enthusiasm. Visit their web site for more info! www.trinitude.ca
Helen Austin initiated and hosts the Comox Valley Songwriter's Circle where we have met many other musicians and performers. Helen's music is ever changing. Judy provided some harmonies on her first CD "Things You Can't Undo". She has since released "One Eye On The Door" and several EP's including Perfect Girl and has been posting a "Song of the Week" on her web site.
Alan Jossul
Alan is an amazing guitarist and composer, who is also very
gifted at articulating the mysteries of music and inspiring people to want to improve their musicianship. An excellent musical instructor
and performer!
Joanna Finch
Joanna's music is playful, expressive, and provocative. Her clever use
of language, sophisticated melodies, and perfected vocals are
instantly captivating and she's a very bright and energetic performer.
She released a CD called "In the Arms of Morpheus" which is
a very classy recording available at www.joannafinch.com.
Judy Norbury has a new CD out called "Did You Find The Door" as well as a new book which is titled called "Come Back, Judy Baba: Memoirs of India". Judy has many interesting stories to tell both in song and in print so check out her site for more details. www.judynorbury.com
Saskia Overbeek/ Darrel Delaronde - Laura's
Kitchen
Saskia and her partner Darrel are another duo act we met here in the
Comox Valley. We had the pleasure of opening for them for their
Christmas Dream concert in 2005. The Christmas Dream CD is a compilation
recording and the various artists do an annual concert to raise
money for food banks in British Columbia. They have since released three CD's. "Laura's
Kitchen" was nominated Album of the Year by the Saskatchewan Country Music Awards. Their latest release is called "Sailing Saskatchewan". "Burlap and Binder Twine" was released as Darrel Delaronde and the Stooks.
Other interesting links...
Sointula, BC
A Finnish fishing community on Malcolm Island that began with a quest to find
utopia. Annual event called Artopia now attracts visitors from all over to
enjoy the talents of this unique and expressive community.
Art and Bloom Festival
Brian Zimmerman has tamed 24 acres of the Vancouver Island rainforest to create
a garden for all seasons. We thoroughly enjoy meandering through paths of
rhodos, meadows and fountains while admiring the works of artisans. The Art
and Bloom Festival is held the long weekend in May in addition to an Artisan Festival on the Labor Day
weekend in September. The Zimmermans also have Christmas events that are a growing tradition in the valley when the wooded glades are lit by Christmas lights and the spirit fueled by the sounds of the season with acapella groups singing carols. A magical experience for you and your little ones.
Independent Music Supporters/Resources
Two Eagles Lodge - Two of our favourite fans, Steve and Carolyn are phenomenal hosts who own a beautiful tourist accommodation just north of the Denman Island ferry terminal. They're a couple who really know how to help people enjoy themselves so if you want to book a retreat, family getaway, or seminar we recommend that you give them a call.
Comox Valley Songwriters Circle
This is a group of talented and imaginative songwriters who meet the first
Wednesday of every month at the Muir Gallery in Courtenay to test drive
new songs and share
new ideas in a supportive environment. Hosted by Helen Austin.
Raven Underground - William at Raven Underground did the mastering for our album "This Heart This Season". He provided great service, and was an appreciated set of ears on our project.
Susie McGregor - Andy
Lorimer - Highland Studios
Susie McGregor has an unforgettable and very moving vocal
style and performs with her husband Andy Lorimer who is a phenomenal
keyboard player. As owner/operators of Highland
Music Multimedia Productions they have produced a series of compilation cds of Vancouver Island
artists called Jewels of the
Island . They initiated a successful local series called Valley Idol and always have a major project on the go including the Vancouver Island Music Business Conferences.