Come and listen to the songs and stories of 4 exceptional local singer-songwriters:
Jason Mitchell
Jay Mitchell was signed with Warner Canada in 2000. He had the unique opportunity to be one of the few male singer songwriters spearheading a new style of folk music during a time of boy bands and rap music. He was honored and felt incredibly lucky to open up for Canadian icons like Blue Rodeo, Spirit of the West and Colin James. The musician and the writer never fades away, and Jay Mitchell continued writing and playing through life's changes and responsibilities. The new album "Rattle in My Cage" is an accumulation of years and events that shaped the music. It will drop late Fall of 2024. Of his songs, Jason says: “my songs are stories that help explain images and feelings I can't shake from my head. They only seem to dissipate when I can finally put them to music. I think they are close to what we are all feeling. Or...not, but, it's a start to a good conversation”
Leah Barley
Vancouver-based singer/songwriter Leah Barley offers stirring original songs that evoke both the jubilation and heartbreak inherent to classic folk and country music. An accomplished banjo player as well as guitarist, Barley creates a sound as affecting today as it was a century ago. Her first full-length album Bring Out Your Dead, released in October 2020, almost perfectly balances Barley’s light-and-shade approach to songwriting. She's set to release her third EP Awkward & Heartbroken in early 2025, which is sure to make you laugh, then make you cry.
Jessica Mai
Jessica Mai is a self proclaimed 'pixie pop' artist who has been a performer and a songwriter from a very young age. Performing under different aliases over the years such as Jet Tangerine, Jet+ The Art Engine and Penny Pom Pom, Jess has recorded and released several albums, toured to multiple countries, has been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music award and her proudest achievement, has become a full time artist. After the success of her children's show, Penny Pom Pom over the last 5 years, Jess has refocused her creative energy on writing pop anthems and has been using her new skills in production to produce her own music for the time. Her new single "Cool Kids" will be streamable on all platforms this Fall and she has more music on the way!
Dave Mercer
Your host for the evening, Dave Mercer is a singer song writer in the Langley area. The son a preacher, Dave learned to play the guitar at early age and was encouraged to participate in the worship aspect of the different congregations his father was pastoring. During his teenage and early college years Dave studied classical guitar and developed his songwriting skills. After college now with a wife and kids ,Dave pursued a career in business while playing in local groups and showcasing his original songs. Dave has produced a number of albums and his material can be found on Spotify and at his website