Join Edmonton prairie-folk duo Jed and the Valentine and Calgary singer-songwriter Maclayne as National Music Centre kicks off the CIBC Summer Series at the legendary King Eddy on July 18!
About Jed and the Valentine:
Jed and the Valentine, the musical collaboration born in Edmonton, Alberta through the creative minds of Jonah Morris and Maria Khaner, has become a compelling force in the Canadian music scene, seamlessly blending soul-stirring harmonies with earthy roots and prairie folk influences. The duo's unique sound has earned them praise, with the Edmonton Folk Festival remarking that "Their harmonies are haunting and their guitar strumming is gentle; the vibe is full-on fresh lemonade."
Since its inception, Jed and the Valentine have taken a self-managed approach, relying on their irresistible charm and undeniable talent to carve a path in the industry. Their journey has been marked by sold-out performances and a rapidly expanding fanbase, with hundreds of thousands of followers captivated by their music.
Jed and the Valentine's meteoric rise is punctuated by the release of their debut album, 'Awake!', which has been featured on Exclaim! Magazine's 'Eh! List', CBC's Provincial playlist, and debuted at #6 on CKUA's top 30 chart.
In a mere two years, Jed and the Valentine have discovered their musical stride, delivering songs that evoke a range of emotions – from laughter to tears and everything in between. Their debut album, 'Awake!', is reminiscent of stomp-and-clap bands like The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, and The Head and the Heart, and sets the stage for their busiest summer yet.
Looking ahead to the spring of 2024, Jed and the Valentineare poised to make a significant mark in their musical journey with the debut of their first album, 'Awake!'. This highly-anticipated release promises to showcase the duo's growth, musical prowess, and their ability to craft melodies that resonate deeply with their audience. As they continue to captivate listeners with their soulful harmonies and genuine storytelling, Jed and the Valentineare undoubtedly a musical duo to watch, with a promising future on the horizon.
About Maclayne:
Maclayne is a singer-songwriter artist based out of Calgary, Alberta. With a style often compared to artists like Sara Bareilles, Olivia Rodrigo and Regina Spektor, her brand of folk-pop is authentically quirky and theatrical, featuring relatable, heartfelt and emotive storytelling, punctuated by honest, deep and soulful lyrics.
Her debut six-song EP, Off The Deep End (summer 2024) is a project born out of a profound and transformative six-month journey through Nicaragua and features newly released single “sing” (March 8, 2024), in addition to “out of the city” and “if you let go” (summer 2023), which received radio airplay on CKUA, CBC, and regional campus radio. “The intensity of selling my belongings, losing relationships, and traveling with little plan led me to process the experience through writing songs. The journey taught me a lot about surrender, trust, and letting go, which are all themes woven throughout the record” says Maclayne.
After being featured in several artist showcases (Calgary Songsmiths, Canada’s Music Incubator, Ranchman’s Local Vocals) Maclayne played over 40 shows around Calgary in 2023, including selling out her first release show, and gathering sizable walk-up crowds while busking near Prince’s Island Park.
Maclayne currently practices as an accredited music therapist after earning her Bachelor of Music Therapy from Capilano University in Vancouver (2020). Growing up, she attended her jazz pianist grandfather’s (Ray Petch) big band shows and studied classical piano. Maclayne also taught herself ukulele and guitar before going on to study operatic voice performance at the University of Calgary.