The Small Glories & Jenny Ritter

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Folk powerhouse pair The Small Glories are Cara Luft & JD Edwards, a dynamic new duo planted on the Canadian Prairies. They are a study in contrasts; Cara, all earth mother on her 21-speed bike, helmet and backpack, environmentally friendly and wholesome, ebullient and engaging; and burly JD, looking like a cross between a biker and long-haul trucker in scruffy beard, ball cap, t-shirt and jean jacket, slightly intimidating (until you meet him). At first glance few would peg them for a highly creative musical partnership. Yet these two veteran singer/songwriters have teamed up and are building a buzz around their tight harmonies, authenticity and visceral performances. Luft is a Juno award winner, co-founder of folk trio The Wailin’ Jennys, and a touring road warrior. She has earned a solid reputation as an exciting live performer, accomplished guitarist, clawhammer banjo player and insightfully honest songwriter. Edwards has a voice that defies categorization, one that easily ranges from gentle and melodic to fierce and powerful, leaving listeners begging for more. He is truly one of the finest singers of his time. Together as The Small Glories, Luft and Edwards are a tour de force, a case of 1 + 1 = 3. 

Confidently laying claim to the genre "indie-folk" Jenny Ritter writes complicated and unique pop-tinged landscapes. Originally from Vancouver Island, she is a seriously accomplished instrumentalist and supports her clear, sweet vocals with complex banjo and guitar parts. A rotating cast of band members includes musicians from Fish & Bird, The Deep Dark Woods, and The Bills. Her lyrics reflect a lonely upbringing deep in the woods, rife with pastoral imagery and wild animals scratching at the door. In 2012, after a decade of playing with roots outfit, The Gruff, Jenny wrote her critically acclaimed album Bright Mainland. In September 2015 she released her newest artistic accomplishment, Raised By Wolves, a dreamy tribute to an unconventional upbringing, and unusual people. Jenny loves to travel to old, cold places. She's been to most every nook and cranny of Canada, and frequently tours the roads of the UK and Scandinavia. When not touring, she singlehandedly runs two rock choirs in East Vancouver, The Kingsgate Chorus, and the Mount Pleasant Regional Institute of Sound.