On the heels of graduating from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Calgary-born Lindsay Kupser is coming home. Her debut album The Boston EP, featuring the single It Hurts will be released on May 16. The album’s six jazz-influenced songs are based on Kupser’s life in Boston.
To celebrate the release of her album, Kupser will be performing for the first time in Calgary since 2010 on May 22 at the Leacock Theatre at Mount Royal University. Accompanying Kupser will be 11 young Calgary artists who will showcase their music, spoken word poetry and visual art.
“I was thinking back on being a young Calgary musician and not having a ton of places to play or outlets to get my music out there,” says Kupser. “When you’re not super established it’s kind of difficult to know where to play and how to get your music out there. It’s a daunting thing at the beginning, so I wanted to feature up and coming artists who are in the beginning stages of their careers and feeling those feelings.”
Here is the lineup of young talent joining Kupser:
Doll Sisters
The Alberta Country Music Association nominated sisters Jenna and Shelby Doll in 2013 for Group/Duo of the Year. Their music is described as Celtic Americana and they are currently waiting on the release of their second album entitled “Off the Edge of the Earth”.
Robbie Bankes
Calgarian Robbie Bankes is known for his ability to play clawhammer banjo and his love of traditional Appalachian folk music. He has played in the duo Robbie and Will as well as the trio, Ida Red.
Mariel Buckley
Singer-songwriter Mariel Buckley is the sister of well-known musician T. Buckley. Her first self-titled EP was released in November 2012, and she is currently working on a second full-length album.
Francis Cheer (John Francis Gerrard)
Francis Cheer (John Francis Gerrard) released his first full-length album, Mapmaker, in February 2014. Along with playing a short set, Gerrard will also be showcasing his visual art. Gerrard is also known as a Calgary sign maker who has done work for the University of Calgary, SAIT and the Calgary Police Service.
Ruben Young and Aaron Pollock
Duo Ruben Young and Aaron Pollock are well known in the Calgary (Young) and Edmonton (Pollock) music scenes. Together, they produce music that melds Young’s soulful voice with Pollock’s blues-rock guitar and vocals.
Kirsten Ludwig
Like Lindsay Kupser, Kirsten Ludwig has also spent time studying at the Berklee College of Music. Her second album, Drifting, will be released this summer.
Carley Mayson
Calgary-based Carley Mayson is a spoken word poet studying English at Mount Royal University. Her poetry focuses on love, loss and eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illnesses.
Katie Green
Local artist Katie Green’s work is often featured at Market Collective. Last year, she travelled to Nepal to participate in a street art project called “Kolor Kathmandu”.
Melissa Skowron
Calgary-born Melissa Skowron is a graduate of the Alberta College of Art and Design. Her work includes portraits and watercolours.
Katya Worbets
Katya Worbets graduated with a Bachelor of Design – Honours from the University of Alberta. Her creative works include art, design, visual communication, sculpture, jewelry and fashion.
Lindsay Kupser and friends perform May 22 at the Leacock Theatre, Mount Royal University. Tickets ($20) are available at tickets.mtroyal.ca