SaskMusic and two Saskatchewan artists, Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys (pron. Vaud-lind) and Marissa Burwell, will be attending The Great Escape Festival & Conference 2024 in Brighton UK, May 15-18. The two artists have been invited to perform official showcases at TGE, as well as an industry showcase event in London on the way to TGE. SaskMusic will be on the ground participating in B2B meetings, roundtable discussions, and facilitating connections on behalf of the Saskatchewan music industry.
On May 14, with local assistance from our export consultant/strategists Enki Music, and in partnership with music industry associations the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), Music Ontario, Music BC, Music Nova Scotia, Manitoba Music, Alberta Music, and Quebec Creates, we will present 14 Canadian artists on 3 stages for a pre-TGE showcase and networking event at the historic Strongroom Studios (Curtain Road, London), 4-11:30pm. Performers for this event are Aysanabee, Begonia, Desiree Dawson, Fold Paper, Jake Vaadeland & the Sturgeon River Boys, Kuzi Cee, Marissa Burwell, Nicole Ariana, Nyssa, Soran, St. Arnaud, Vox Rea, Winona Forever, and Witch Prophet.
Then from May 15-18, we will take part in The Great Escape in Brighton. TGE is “the UK’s premier new music and industry gathering, where sectors from the entire UK music industry come to network,” showcasing 500 emerging artists from all over the world in 30+ walkable venues across Brighton UK plus a pop-up festival site on Brighton Beach.
Working in partnership with Canadian music industry partners CIMA, Alberta Music, M for Montreal, Manitoba Music, Music BC, Music Nova Scotia, MusicOntario, and SODEC under the established Canada House brand, we will be networking and representing Saskatchewan music at international meetings and events, as well as taking in international industry discussion topics during the conference. CIMA helps facilitate entry into international music markets by working closely with key personnel from the Canadian music scene and enabling international export and import opportunities. 18 Canadian artists have been selected for Canada House performances over 3 days (May 16-18) at venue The Green Door Store.
Artists performing at Canada House this year are Aysanabee, Begonia, Bon Enfant, Corridor, Desirée Dawson, Fold Paper, Haviah Mighty, Jake Vaadeland & the Sturgeon River Boys, Kuzi Cee, Maggie Andrew, Marissa Burwell, Moira & Claire, NYSSA, Soran, St.Arnaud, Vox Rea, Winona Forever and Witch Prophet.
TGE represents SaskMusic's primary market development event for the UK market, consisting of business to business networking events, an industry conference with key international music topics, and artist showcases.
About Canada House
CIMA's Canada House creates a physical space during major international music festivals and conferences for Canadian artists can perform, network, and gain exposure to key players in the global music industry. One of the primary goals of Canada House is to promote the export of Canadian music by facilitating connections between Canadian artists and international industry representatives, including talent buyers, promoters, agents, and media outlets. By providing a dedicated space for Canadian talent, CIMA aims to increase the visibility and success of Canadian artists on the global stage.
About the Artists
Jake Vaadeland is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and. His traditional sound and unique style could be defined as a blend of Bluegrass and 50’s Rockabilly, with Jake also specializing on guitar and banjo in addition to his impressive vocals. Jake strives to write and play with a focus on storytelling and messages that he hopes his audience can relate to, all packaged in foot stomping, high energy performances with The Sturgeon River Boys.
2022 proved to be a remarkable year for Jake Vaadeland, as he received 2x Saskatchewan Music Awards including Album of the Year for ‘Everybody But Me’, along with the Folk/Roots Artist of the Year. In addition, he earned 4x Saskatchewan Country Music Awards, including Fans Choice Entertainer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Alternative Country Album of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year.
Marissa Burwell makes music that is part back-seat-of-the-minivan crooner, part blow-out-the-speakers indie-rock. Born and raised in Regina, Burwell blends her warm vocals with layered and mature songwriting. Positive reception to her 2019 debut EP and 2022 full length album Bittersweet cleared a path for Burwell to play some of the most exciting stages in North America and Europe, including Liverpool Sound City, Reeperbahn Festival, The Colossus Festival, NXNE, Pop Montreal and BreakOut West. In 2023 she signed with DevilDuck Records and released her second EP, Either Way, to widespread acclaim.
The Artists' U.K. Shows (local times):
Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys
- May 4 – Crossover Festival - Nottingham UK
- May 5 – The Live Room Shipley – Saltaire UK
- May 6 – The Cluny Newcastle – New Castle UK
- May 9 – Future Yard Birkenhead – Birkenhead UK
- May 10 – Café 9 – Sheffield UK
- May 11 – Tredegar House Folk Festival – Newport UK
- May 13 – The Lions Den – Manchester UK
- May 14 – Canadian showcase, 4:30 – 4:45pm, Strong Room, London UK
- May 14 – Album release party at Green Note, 8:30pm London UK
- May 17 – Jubilee Square, 2:15pm (The Great Escape), Brighton UK
- May 18 – The Green Door Store, 12:50pm Canada House (The Great Escape), Brighton UK
- May 18 – Wood Festival – Wallingford UK
Marissa Burwell
- May 14 – Canadian showcase, 19:00 - 19:20, Strongroom, London
- May 16 – Secret Comedy Club,12:00pm Alternative Escape (duo show) presented by Planetary Group and Impressive PR (The Great Escape)
- May 16 – The Green Door Store, 1:30-1:50 Canada House (The Great Escape)
- May 18 – The Green Door Store, 7:15pm (The Great Escape)
How were the Sask artists chosen?
The Great Escape posts a calls for artists each year, which SaskMusic shares to our members. CIMA also posts a call for submissions for Canada House at TGE, which we share to our members. SaskMusic does not run these intakes nor select the artists.
Following TGE’s official selections, the pre-TGE London showcase was curated by its presenters (including SaskMusic). From Saskatchewan, we automatically included the two artists who received TGE invites. As partners of Canada House events at TGE, we facilitate additional plays and connections for the Sask artists who have been selected for official showcases.
SaskMusic thanks Creative Saskatchewan for their support of our export mission activities.
