News

Lionel Rault has been a host on CKUA for over two decades. He’s hosted Lionel’s Vinyls, R&B Revue, Nine to noon and The Afternoon Edition. His heart lays in the folk-roots genres and has been active as a singer-songwriter in the genre since 1969. So as you could imagine he’s very well respected in the Edmonton music scene, he is the only active performer to ever be inducted into the Edmonton Blues Hall of Fame.

Lionel has been independently releasing albums since 1980. He has released four albums Killin’ Time in 1980, Been So Long in 1989, No Tell Hotel in 1992, Lionel Rault in 2004 and The Further Adventures of…  in 2007. So I guess you could say Lionel knows a thing or two about a thing or two. Lionel is more than happy to call Alberta home, which is good for us because I feel the progression of music exposure in Edmonton would be vastly different without his influence. He has raised two children who have also followed his footsteps and become musicians in their own right. These days Lionel plays in the Folk-roots-blues band, The Rault Brothers

I couldn’t imagine the creativity it would take to come up with 20 years’ worth of unique content for radio, but if you’re looking for pointers Lionel’s door is definitely the one you should be knocking on. We are thrilled to have Lionel on the panel and as an honorary member of Bent River.

Maud Salvi is the Executive Director of Sled Island. Sled Island host upwards of 250 bands across 30 venues, so as you can imagine it is quite a large under taking. She has been working with Sled Island for the last 5 years and if you ask me has been doing a pretty amazing job. Maud is originally from France but landed in Montreal in 2008 working as the artistic producer for Pop Montreal International Music Festival. Pop Montreal schedules more than 400 bands across 50 venues.

If you think about it, Maud has probably listened to more bands that you will ever listen to in your whole life. I personally cannot think of a better person to judge the submissions to our competition. Maud is one of the most resilient arts managers you will ever meet. Her first year as Executive Director of Sled was 2013, the year of the floods in Calgary. She was not only able to manager a worst-case scenario situation but also have the festival continue to run in 2014 without change and it has been going strong ever since.

Maud has a great ear, I can’t wait to hear her insights on all the submissions. Her experience in producing alternative festivals will be just the insight we will need to find the next Arcade fire. Maud is as hard working as they come but is also laid back and knows how to have fun, the perfect fit for BRR really. We are very excited to have Maud on our panel and as an honorary member of Bent River.

Nuela Charles’ mix of pop, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and soul is in a league of its own. Based in our dear city of Edmonton, Nuela has a way of bringing warmth to a chilly November afternoon. Nuela has been nominated three times for the Western Canadian Music Award for Urban Recording of the Year, in 2011, 2013 and 2017. And in 2017 took home the Western Canadian Music Award for Urban Artist of the Year.

Nuela released her first album Awake in 2012 and her follow up The Grand Hustle in 2016. Nuela’s catchy rhythms and soulful voice have gained her popularity in Edmonton, the U.S., and Europe. Nuela’s music has been featured in many TV shows and films in Canada and the U.S.

Nuela is a true Edmontonian. She has seen great success here and feels no need to leave. We respect and support that here at BRR and want to see more artist staying in Edmonton. Even though she travels in support of her music she always finds her way back. We are very glad to have Nuela joining us on the Panel and to have her as an honorary member of Bent River.

Chloe Albert is a Juno nominated singer-songwriter from Edmonton. Her first album Dedicated State was released in 2008 and won her the Canadian Folk Music Award for ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’, and she hasn’t slowed down since. Her sound is thoughtful, versatile and lends itself well to not only folk but blues, roots, soul, jazz and country, her storytelling ability is revered by many.

Her Juno Nomination was for ‘Adult Contemporary Album of The Year’, she has also received a Western Canadian Music Awards Nomination for ‘Roots/Solo Album of the Year’ plus, won three Edmonton Music Awards for, ‘Roots/Folk Recording of the Year’ ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Female Artist of the Year’.

Chloe is releasing her third album in 2018 and we can’t wait to hear it if its anything like her last two it will be spectacular. I remember seeing Chloe play the Folk Fest in 2009, it was the first time I had ever heard her, she blew me away. I took Dedicated State home with me and listened to it many times. We are so happy to have Chloe on the panel and as an honorary member of Bent River.

Get to know Bent River Records’ special guest producer who will be coming in to work with the winning artist of our Call for Recording Projects competition alongside our very own Juno-winning engineer, Paul Johnston! Here are 5 fun facts about Marcus Paquin:

1. Marcus has a master’s degree in sound recording from McGill University.

2. Marcus is not only an amazing sound engineer, but is also a musician. He formed indie pop band Silver Starling back in 2009.

3. Marcus’ wife, Marika Anthony-Shaw, has been a touring violinist with Arcade Fire. Pretty talented couple!

4. Marcus has recorded with Stars, Close Talker, Ok Cobra, Arcade Fire, Little Scream, Les Jupes, The National, Local Natives, Hey Rosetta!, Timber Timbre, and the list goes on and on. WOW!

5. Marcus did the live music mixing for the film Mistaken for Strangers, the documentary film about The National.