Armed with new songs and an intoxicating energy, Jasper’s The Mighty Water is set to make its return to the Jasper Folk Music Festival in September.
The duo was selected after winning the Battle Royale held at the Legion earlier this month.
“It’s humbling,” said Gui Benoit, of winning the battle.
“It’s something we worked really hard for because last year we were runners up, but still by default got to play the folk fest because the winner couldn’t make it.
“We’ve worked really hard on our own songs that we’ve been writing over the winter, so to actually win it was really good.”
Although technically a folk band, the duo keeps things interesting by incorporating hints of blues and the energy of rock ‘n’ roll in their music.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the band is that they do it without a dedicated drummer.
“I’ve always been a folk player, but when I team up with Kalien it seems to be a bit more rock ‘n’ roll,” said Benoit.
This was clearly the case during the band’s most recent performance at the Legion on June 13.
With Kalien Germottee on lead guitar and Benoit on vocals and rhythm guitar it was virtually impossible to find any room on the dance floor.
At times, Germottee seemed to have the entire crowd in the palm of his hand as he slayed one solo after another.
Between Benoit’s cool demeanour and Germottee’s intoxicating stage presence, the duo seems to have gelled over the past year.
The band plans to have six songs done in time for the folk festival, said Benoit.
He said his biggest influence is music from the 60s folk scene, although he also listens to indie rock, such as Fleet Foxes and Modest Mouse.
The Jasper Music Folk Festival will take place from Sept. 11 to 13.
“We’re excited to play for the hometown crowd again.”
Paul Clarke
[email protected]
