AMP Sessions: Joshua Burnside, John Wort Hannam, Lost Decade, The Ramblin' Hey Ho Ha's

Joshua Burnside is an experimental folk songwriter, singer and producer. He takes influence from alternative electronica and Irish
folk, chopping and blending them with a mixture of found sounds, world music and unorthodox production methods. Following an award-winning debut album and an acclaimed follow-up released during the height of the global pandemic, his music lives against the grain, in both style and spirit. Raised in the north of Ireland between the lush drumlins and hills of Strangford Lough, and the narrow entries and alleyways of East Belfast, Joshua’s music has defined and defied the post-conflict society of his home.

Taking in the economics of existence, family, trauma and renewal, while set against a backdrop of tense electronica and lush Irish folk and traditional songwriting, Joshua has entrenched himself within the fabric of the modern folk canon, alongside the likes of Bon Iver, Ben Howard and Sufjan Stevens. While his award-winning first album Ephrata took in lush landscapes, technological horrors, night terrors and wistful Columbian vistas (set against a bed of Irish folk, cumbia rhythms, and electronica), his critically acclaimed second Into The Depths Of Hell, took a far darker approach. Melding swirls of clanging metallic found sounds, alt-rock, and Irish songwriting traditions were supported by UK and US national radio and international tastemakers NPR, Guitar Magazine, CLASH, The Guardian, The Times and more.

His third album, Teeth Of Time, sits comfortably and confrontationally between the alt-folk realms of Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens while retaining the indie singer-songwriter and traditional folk elements of Josh's signature songwriting.

John Wort Hannam has been on a roots-fueled troubadour journey for over two decades, spinning songwriting gold from the chaff of the lives he has encountered and those within his fertile imagination. After twenty-plus years, he shows no sign of slowing down. He’s gaining both momentum and a wider audience, winning two 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards for both Solo Artist and Contemporary Album of the Year.  Audiences and critics hear something special in his narrative, lyrically driven songs. Effortlessly mixing rich and clear timbered vocals with lyrics that tug at the heart, his sound is both unique and familiar. He's released 8 full-length recordings and has a few feathers in his hat for his effort that included a Juno nomination, three Canadian Folk Music Awards, a coveted Kerrville, TX New Folk Songwriting Competition win and numerous other Canadian Folk Music Award and Western Canadian Music Award nominations. 

Lost Decade is a Calgary-based synthwave band with a love for timeless music. Members Derek Leugner and Brandon Smith’s earliest ideas came to life after hours at the Cantos Music Centre, where the glow of vintage keyboards and synths set the stage for their sound. Joined by vocalist Chenelle Roberts with classical, blues, and Caribbean roots, they craft soulful synth-driven sounds inspired by the energy of 80s and 90s music.

Get ready for a foot-stompin’ good time as The Ramblin’ Hey Ho Ha’s return to the Shaw Amphitheatre stage. Banff’s own Rocky Mountain country band is known for a boot-kickin’ blend of bluegrass, roots, and rock with a twangy twist, bringing big energy and bigger heart to every performance.

Featuring a lively mix of acoustic guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and tambourine, their sound is steeped in mountain air and prairie soul. With crowd sing-alongs, high-spirited originals, and a few reimagined classics, The Ramblin’ Hey Ho Ha’s turn every show into a celebration of community, rhythm, and storytelling.