Written By: Lauren Steeves
The Calgary Folk Music Festival is this week, so we are profiling a few acts that are worth checking out this year.
One of the best parts about the Calgary Folk Music Festival is getting the chance to listen to artists from all over the world, and we got to tell you that Australia delivers this year with its own folk, rock and blues singer Kim Churchill.
Churchill not only brings an element of musical purity, but also provides a soundtrack of feel good jams. We’re talking about tunes that easily remind you of the ocean, sand and sun—which comes as no surprise given that Churchill is an avid surfer. With his upbeat tempos, strumming guitars and soft yet raspy voice, it’s hard not to stomp your feet and transport yourself to another world—one with that’s hot and has a beach, obviously.
Churchill first began playing the guitar when he was only four years old, adopting the instrument like it was his own body part. His talent only grew from there as he began playing shows, writing his own songs and busking at numerous venues in Australia. Churchill’s debut single, Loving Home, was released in 2010 and received a ton of airplay time on Australian radio stations, giving audiences the chance to not only hear his music, but also become devoted fans. Loving Home is calming in its beat, but uplifting in its lyrics (“For whatever sets your soul on fire helps to put your heart at ease”) and captivates you throughout with its strumming guitar and harmonica.
Fast-forward to present day and Churchill has three albums under his belt including his most recent release, Silence/Win, that is home to album gems like Window to the Sky and Single Spark. The past five years also gave Churchill the chance to travel the globe becoming a festival staple at well-known events like Glastonbury, SXSW, Ottawa Folk Fest, Winnipeg Folk Fest and the famous Montreal Jazz where legends like Stevie Wonder have performed—no easy feat for a young musician from Down Under.
It didn’t take long for Canada to fall for Churchill either. Our country has embraced him as our own with Montreal’s Indica Records and Toronto’s Fontana North both signing him. In addition, Silence/Win was recorded in Vancouver further proving our obsession with him.
Just like Churchill swept our country off its feet, we guarantee he’ll win your heart over too. Now all you have to do is let him—we dare you.
Don’t miss your chance to see Kim Churchill live at the Calgary Folk Music Festival:
Friday July 24 at 3 p.m. on Stage 3
Friday July 24 at 5 p.m. on Stage 5
Saturday July 25 at 12:55 p.m. on Stage 3
In the meantime, we’ve left you some Kim Churchill tunes that are sure to make you swoon:
Window to the Sky https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy04V45dgrw
Single Spark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqBKG2IvZAU
Loving Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRJBi7Hjo-Q
