Advance tickets on sale until July 18.

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars have risen like a phoenix out of the ashes of war and enflamed the passions of fans across the globe with their uplifting songs of hope, faith and joy. The band is a potent example of the redeeming power of music and the ability of the human spirit to persevere through unimaginable hardship and emerge with optimism intact. From their humble beginnings in West African refugee camps SLRAS have performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and matured into one of Africa’s top touring and recording bands.

Throughout the 1990s, the West African country of Sierra Leone was wracked with a bloody, horrifying war that forced millions to flee their homes. The musicians that would eventually form SLRAS are all originally from Freetown, and they were forced to leave the capital city at various times after violent rebel attacks. Most of those that left the country made their way into neighbouring Guinea, some ending up in refugee camps and others struggling to fend for themselves in the capital city of Conakry.

Ruben Koroma and his wife Grace had left Sierra Leone in 1997 and found themselves in the Kalia refugee camp near the border with Sierra Leone. When it became clear they would not be heading back to their homeland anytime soon, they joined up with guitarist Francis John Langba (aka Franco), and bassist Idrissa Bangura (aka Mallam), other musicians in the camp whom they had known before the war, to entertain their fellow refugees. After a Canadian relief agency donated two beat up electric guitars, a single microphone and a meager sound system, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars were born.

American filmmakers Zach Niles and Banker White encountered the band in the Sembakounya Camp, and were so inspired by their story they ended up following them for three years as they moved from camp to camp, bringing much needed joy to fellow refugees with their heartfelt performances. Eventually, the war in Sierra Leone came to an end, and over time the All Stars returned to Freetown, where they met other returning musicians who joined the band’s rotating membership. It was there in the tin-roofed shacks of Freetown’s ghettos that Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars recorded the tracks that ended up, along with unplugged recordings made in the refugee camps, being the basis for their 2006 debut album, Living Like a Refugee.

The film, album and eventual U.S. tours helped expand their following, and soon the band found itself playing in front of enraptured audiences of tens of thousands at New York’s Central Park SummerStage, Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival and the revered Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. They appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, contributed a song to the Blood Diamond film soundtrack, participated in the U2 tribute album In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2, and earned praise and backing from Sir Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Ice Cube, Angelina Jolie and others inspired by their life-affirming story and captivating music.

The senseless deaths and illnesses of friends and family, including some of the band’s original members, and the slimming hope for great change in their country as a result of peace, has only strengthened the resolve of SLRAS to do what they can to turn their country around. Their weapon in this struggle is music, and their message, while offering critique and condemnation of wrongdoing, remains positive and hopeful. Optimism in the face of obstacles, and the eternal hope for a better future motivates their lives and music.

Their second album, Rise & Shine, brought the band new accolades and earned 2010 Album of the Year on the prestigious World Music Charts Europe. Their third, and latest album – Radio Salone (released April. 2012) was inspired by the retro sounds they heard blasting out of radios in their younger years. Old school reggae, funky African grooves and deep tribal chants form the musical underpinning of Radio Salone, which was awarded CBC’s World Music Album of The Year for 2012.

Radio Salone represents a new musical high point for the group, and demonstrates once and for all that Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars are one of the best bands in Africa and the world. With an active year of touring planned the All Stars look forward to building their global audience and bringing their message of hope and celebration to longtime fans and new audiences everywhere.

www.sierraleonesrefugeeallstars.com

Urban Roots – Melbourne, Australia

Having shared the global stage with the likes of Santana, Damien ‘Jr gong’ Marley, Julian Marley, The John Butler Trio and Michael Franti & Spearhead to name a few, The 8 piece powerhouse band that is Blue King Brown bring their cross generational grooves and socially conscious sound. The infectious energy and passion from lead singer, guitarist and percussionist Natalie Pa’apa’a is a driving musical Force. BKB continue to deliver a power packed live show featuring their home-grown, universally spoken language, delivered as hard hitting Urban roots music. With recent recording trips to Kingston Jamaica and New York now under their belt, once again pushing genre boundaries, their latest releases are a testament to the rise of one of Australia’s greatest acts.

“Blue King Brown is my favourite band right now. They embody everything I love in music from Ozomatli, African bands, Tower of Power to Santana. They are the voice of the street and the band of the future!” – Carlos Santana

“I am always inspired by BKB’s funky, high energy, socially conscious music. Natalie is a bright light in the world with a vision that extends beyond the stage and together with the rest of the band raise the roof off every show they play. I love em!!!” – Michael Franti (Spearhead)

“BKB are one of those unique truth-telling outfits in our business that defy time. Amazing musicians with a powerful message. What a concept, huh?” – Serj Tankian

www.bluekingbrown.com

Hip Hop – San Francisco, CA

New York-born, San Francisco-based Aesop Rock (aka Ian Bavitz) is a critically acclaimed hip hop artist/producer, recognized for his dense and abstract word play. Between 1997-2007, he released five solo albums, three EPs, and a 45-minute piece of music designed for runners, commissioned by Nike. His lyrics have been published in the New York Times Best Seller Hip Hop Speaks to Children, by author/activist Professor Nikki Giovanni (Oct. 2008), as well as Yale University’s Anthology of Rap (Nov. 2010). Aesop is also co-founder of 900bats.com, a creative resource of arts, information, and oddities.

Since the release of Aesop’s last solo album None Shall Pass (2007), Aesop toured the US extensively, as well as Australia, UK and Europe, returning to an eclectic mix of collaborations, landing him both behind the board and in front of the mic. He provided music for the short film Wallyball (Apr. 2008) for the McSweeney’s “Wholphin” short film series, scored the Ace Norton-directed short film Dewana’s Bridal (Sep. 2009), produced the third installment of the Slug and Murs Felt series A Tribute to Rosie Perez (Nov. 2009), contributed both beats and vocals on Kimya Dawson’s album Thunder Thighs (Oct. 2011), created music in collaboration with Jeremy Fish’s “Ghosts of the Barbary Coast” art show in SF (2009), co-produced SF rock outfit Dirty Ghosts’ debut album Metal Moon, (Feb. 2012), and started and recorded albums with two new groups – Hail Mary Mallon (with rapper Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz) and the Uncluded (with Kimya Dawson). Aesop also started his own imprint, Block Block Chop, which is now the home to his catalog.

Skelethon marks the first entirely self-produced album for Aesop Rock, with additional instrumentation and back-up vocals from the likes of Allyson Baker (Dirty Ghosts), Hanni El Khatib, Nicky Fleming-Yaryan, Rob Sonic, and the Grimace Federation, as well as scratch performances provided by long-time friend and collaborator DJ Big Wiz.

Starting off by touching on the death of a close friend in 2008, subject matter wades through subsequent losses, jostled memories, relationships gone awry, and the occasionally amusing, if futile, attempts we make to cope with these things. There is light humor in the darkest corners, juxtaposed with pitch black in the jokes. With Kimya Dawson as its sole vocal collaborator, Skelethon is packed with Aesop’s unique handle on interweaving imagery and urgency together in what will surely prove to be the centerpiece of his catalog thus far.

Aesop Rock & Kimya Dawson’s latest project, the Uncluded, a indie hip hop doublet is releasing their rookie album Hokey Fright on May 7, 2013.

“…hyper-enunciated rhymes filled with poetic imagery” – ROLLING STONE

“…raw, intelligent, urgent” – ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

“…a vulnerable story-telling style that’s all too rare among this genre’s tough-guys” – NEW YORK MAGAZINE

www.aesoprock.com

Anti-Folk / Indie / Punk – Olympia, WA

Kimya Dawson is a Grammy winning, platinum selling singer songwriter most widely known for her work on the JUNO soundtrack and her former band, The Moldy Peaches. She has released 6 solo albums, including a children’s album “Alphabutt”. She has been featured in Rolling Stone, Spin, Entertainment Weekly, NY Times, NME, Q, AOL, etc. She has performed live on the View, at the Independent Spirit Awards, TED/Boulder, was invited to perform on Sesame Street, and also performed at the REM Tribute at Carnegie Hall.

Kimya’s new solo album “Thunder Thighs” was self released October 18, 2011 on her own imprint Great Crap Factory. The album features guest performances from Aesop Rock, members of the Strokes, Mountain Goats, Forever Young Senior Citizen Rock and Roll Choir, Kimya’s 5 year old daughter Panda, and many more.

Kimya’s latest project, the Uncluded, indie hip hop doublet with San Francisco’s hip hop artist and producer, Aesop Rock is releasing their rookie album Hokey Fright on May 7, 2013.

Kimya will be playing 2 sets at Starbelly Jam. One for everybody and one especially for kids!

“Kimya Dawson straddles the line between precious and profound”.- Rolling Stone

“a veteran of the scrappy anti-folk circuit, with stream of consciousness songs that balance the caustic and the childlike”- NY Times

www.kimyadawson.com

8-piece Mexican Folk, Cuban Son, & Latin Soul – Vancouver, BC

Locarno is the Latin project of Juno award winning musician and Paperboys frontman, Tom Landa. The music, like him, is part Mexican but with strong doses of Cuban Son, Folk Music, Pop and Funk. There are threads of Son Jarocho and Salsa but the songs are more edgy and contemporary than that. The music could be compared to Manu Chao, Ozomatli or Rodrigo and Gabriela but although there are similarities it is truly original and a new flavour in the Latin music genre.

Tom was born and raised in Mexico City to a Mexican father and a Canadian mother. He moved to Ontario during his teenage years where he put behind his Mexican Musical Roots in favour of the new sounds that surrounded his new environment. Records by The Smiths, Tracy Chapman and Spirit of The West dominated his turntable and cassette player, until a record by Los Lobos, a Mexican American band, brought him ‘back home’. La Pistola y El Corazon was a recording where Los Lobos played a variety of Mexican musical idioms including Son Jarocho which had a huge impact on Tom. From that moment on, Landa rediscovered his musical roots and began his musical quest to not only learn more about this music, but also write and arrange songs in this genre. Thanks in part to The Canada Council, this musical path eventually led him to study Son Jarocho in Veracruz Mexico, under the tutelage of Ramon Gutierrez of the group Son De Madera.

For the past few years Tom has been writing and recording the material for his project Locarno. His goal is to create music which is heavily influenced by Mexican music but using the elements and musicians around him in his hometown of Vancouver. A key element to this sound is the partnerships he has created with producer Joby Baker who has worked with several World/Latin artists including Alex Cuba and Miguelito Valdes who lends his trumpet and percussion talents to the project. Miguelito was born and raised in Havana Cuba and has played with Afro Cuban All Stars, Omara Portoundo and The Buena Vista Social Club. Rounding up the group is Sam Esecson on drums and percussion, Kalissa Hernandez on Violin and vocals and Nick La Riviere on trombone.

www.locarnomusic.com

Multi-instrumentalist (didgeridoo, guitar & drums) – Vancouver Island, BC

Swelling in primordial pulses and wholloping whoops, the tacit tones of Shane Philip’s didgeridoo hold the power to still listeners into silence or encourage audiences to rise up in a tribal swell of intoxicating spirit. Meanwhile his hands will be skillfully juggling between shaking up rhythms with his aslatua, driving the dance floor with his djembe and sliding out grooves on his Weissenborn-style guitar while his foot taps in earthshaking electronic kicks wherever they might fit.

From early childhood moments of drumming kitchen tables and car dashboards, to the present, Shane’s musical stylings have been self-taught and self-motivated every step of the way.

Borrowing from folk, reggae, blues and beyond, he blurs the boundaries of expectation and music into an altogether unique soundscape. Shane sends out much love and gratitude to everyone who has supported and inspired him along the way.

www.shanephilip.com

Psychedelic roots & soul, folk, dub – Vancouver, BC

Buckman Coe was recently voted second for Best Unsigned Band in the Georgia Straight Reader’s Choice Contest. His songs are progressive and contemporary, and convey an appreciation for life that’s seldom expressed with such genuineness and depth.

Celebrating his new e.p., Crow’s Nest – released Jan. 22, 2013, which he describes as “…a collection of songs that I had to produce right away, as though I were on a crow’s nest and I had to yell down to the deck an alarm. I wrote these songs in response to the threat the Pacific Northwest faces with proposed pipelines, an old friend’s story about Japan after the Tsunami, and of course with a little bit of time dedicated to love, growing food and getting spiritually psychedelic ;P
It’s a fun record written on an ukelele by the Ocean. It’s about taking control of our lives and the world around us through compassion, joy and a kick-ass attitude based on a stubborn commitment to righteousness and compassion.”

This summer Buckman is touring with veteran axe wielder Jon Roper (electric guitar) and the brothers Adam and Tim Parent (drums and bass) from Ninjaspy, all of which amounts to a soulfully psychedelic world reggae sound with punch and rich harmonies.

www.buckmancoe.com

New old time, bluegrass – Seattle, WA

Cahalen Morrisson & Eli West are, simply put, two of the most innovative and subtle roots musicians today. Their music draws from old folk sources, but it sounds vibrantly alive. Cahalen Morrison writes songs that sound like a Cormac McCarthy novel: simple, beautifully crafted, and seemingly formed from raw natural elements. Eli West brings jagged, angular arrangements based in bluegrass and old-time, but refracted through a 21st century lens. Like Ansel Adams’ photography, their music is instantly accessible and built from the simplest materials, but at the same time seems to transcend its base fundamentals. Together, Cahalen and Eli tap the root of the old country and bluegrass duets. As the sparse landscapes of Cahalen’s vocals reflect the warm glow of Eli’s voice, it’s clear that this duo was made to sing together.

Cahalen Morrison & Eli West’s new album, Our Lady of the Tall Trees, is a stunning example of the power of great songwriting and musicianship. Their music sounds eminently familiar, for they’re drawing from our common love of American roots music, but it also sounds entirely different. Gone are the twangy accents, gone the overplayed search for the “old, weird America,” and gone the banjo-as-a-prop theatrics. This is music built on the joy of the craft, made by hand by two young masters with love for the traditions, but a bold vision for how the old sounds can fit into new soundscapes.

www.cahalenandeli.com

Quirky folk – Portland, OR

Identical twins Laurie Shook (vocals, banjo, percussion and beatboxing) and Katelyn Shook (vocals, guitar and mandolin) are at the heart of quirky folk group, Shook Twins. The Shook Twins intertwine gorgeous “twin” harmonies with an eclectic and eccentric blend of folk, roots, pop and fun. But don’t be fooled. The Shook Twins are not your average folk group. They have a few tricks up their sleeves. Laurie may drop a beatbox in the middle of a song, while Katelyn plays the guitar, glockenspiel, mandolin, and sings into a telephone and bocks like a chicken. Laurie plays wah-wah banjo and loops various melodies and beats to make it sound like more than just two identical twin sisters. Touring the West Coast & beyond since February 2008, Shook Twins are continually expanding and creating musical circuits in multiple regions, bringing fans everywhere along the way. Shook Twins have shared the stage with many prominent artists including Ryan Adams, Mason Jennings, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Laura Veirs, The Fruit Bats, JJ Grey and MoFro, Crooked Still, Scott Law, Darol Anger, Jason Webley, Elephant Revival, The Head and The Heart and many more amazing artists and bands.

www.shooktwins.com