From the Promoter

CARRIE MARTIN

You may or may not know the name, but one thing is for certain – you should. Hers is a true story of rags to – well, not quite riches maybe, but certainly success and critical acclaim in the world of contemporary acoustic-based folk/rock music.
Born in Hull, Carrie developed something a local reputation while still in her teens, as an acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter of no mean ability. Local radio support and popular live shows were left behind as she reached her twenties, however, as her stubborn nature led her into fronting rock bands as a singer, and the guitar was largely dropped. Music then became completely put aside as she abandoned it in order to raise her children, and her guitar went untouched for some two decades until a chance meeting with guitar virtuoso Gordon Giltrap changed her life.
With the support and mentoring of Gordon, and also a very supportive relationship with Vintage / JHS guitars, she picked up the threads of her long-dormant career, with an EP, Luna, and a full-length album, What If, appearing in 2011 and 2014 respectively. While widely praised, however, these releases served as the warm up to her definitive work, 2017’s Seductive Sky album, on which she was joined by guests such as her great friend Gordon Giltrap, keyboard maestro Oliver Wakeman and legendary guitarist Elliott Randall, along with Daniel Karl Cassidy, younger brother of the late Eva Cassidy, with whom Carrie has sometimes been compared herself.

SARAH SIDDIQUI

Sarah Siddiqui is an established Toronto based alt/folk Singer/Songwriter & Producer. Sarah is promoting her third album ‘No More Waiting Rooms’, funded by the Toronto Arts Council. Sarah led the production. The album features Tony Rabalao and Tim Bovaconti. Her songs have been been placed in both feature films and T.V. shows. She is also a member of ACTRA, Canada’s Actor’s Union. She has had acting stints including a guitarist role in feature film ‘Death to Smoochy’ directed by Danny DeVito, starring Robin Williams. To learn more: sarahsiddiqui.ca

JULIE NEFF

Toronto-based Julie Neff, is an indie-pop artist with raw talent and unfaltering lyrics. Driven by her compelling vocals, Julie effortlessly imbues her music with a stirring sense of quiet strength and optimism. Both soothing and powerful, her voice taps into a deeper part of the listener, evoking emotion and drawing them into her world.