MAHALL'S MAIN STAGE
10.00 ADV / 12.00 DOS
8:00 DOORS
J. Ellise Barbara - J. Ellise Barbara is a Montreal-based avant-garde singer-songwriter, artist and thinker whose musical output combines elements of brazen 80s funk, late 70s underground, and downtown no wave. A lover of the odd, dark, and overlooked elements in pop music, they find inspiration in unexpected sources, like off-the-radar acts Su Tissue, Kashif, Francis Bebey, and obscure new wave duo Rexy. Rising from artist-run spaces such as La Brique and Drones Club at the turn of the current decade, J. Ellise Barbara has seen their work soar to enduring acclaim in Japan and Europe, in a short career whose highlights include duets with Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab), and DIY icon R. Stevie Moore. Since going on an indeterminate hiatus, Barbara's efforts have been partly centered around LGBTQ community organizing (Taking What We Need, ASTTeQ, African Rainbow). They are working on new music with their new outfit, the Black Space.
Faith Healer - "The title of Try ;-), Faith Healer’s forthcoming album, is not accidental. “I always use that winky emoticon,” singer and guitarist Jessica Jalbert explained in a press release. “I think it’s cheeky and fun, which is something I was trying to access a little more with this record.” The Edmonton duo, which also includes the multi-instrumentalist Renny Wilson, makes lush pop-rock songs for country backroads and 1960s AM radio, and they don’t take themselves too seriously doing it.
The languid title track addresses the challenges of a separation, and was inspired by Bruce Springsteen’s song “Tougher Than the Rest.” “We reconnected for a second/Then the connection took its toll,” chuckles Jalbert, her unhurried, echoing vocals anchoring the springy bassline and wispy synths. Her tone suggests she’s made her peace with the decision, and the ambling tempo adds to the leisure. Best enjoyed with its accompanying absurdist goth-boy-meets-girl music video, “Try ;-)” lives up to the playfulness of its title." -Pitchfork
Sarah Arafat - Born and raised in Jordan, moved to Cleveland in 2014. Started playing piano at the age of 2 then all the other instruments came along the way. Instruments include: guitar, piano, drums, ukulele, banjo, and angst
Soft Copy - The songwriting project of Paul Ryan, for fans of The The, Galaxie 500, and Slowdive.