LYNN SAXBERG
JULY 5, 9:30 p.m. She & Him
River
Don’t be deceived by the generic band name. She & Him is actually a duo with a certain celebrity cachet, thanks to the acting career of Zooey Deschanel, who stars in the TV sitcom New Girl and has appeared in several Hollywood movies. On one set, she met alt-country artist M Ward, who encouraged her songwriting and helped her gain confidence in singing. They’ve been a duo since 2006; a third album of endlessly summery pop was just released.
JULY 6, 6 p.m. Fitz and the Tantrums
Claridge
Dance pop and neo-soul find a happy meeting place in the six-piece L.A. band Fitz and the Tantrums. Led by singer-songwriter Michael Fitzpatrick, who shares lead vocal duties with Noelle Scaggs, the band makes every gig into a celebration. They have a bunch of fun new songs from their latest, More than Just a Dream, and are fresh off a tour with Bruno Mars and an appearance on Letterman.
JULY 10, 6 p.m. Family of the Year
BSS
The Los Angeles-based group originated with Welsh brothers Joe and Sebastian Keefe, and their Boston friend James Buckey, the lineup rounded out by singer/ keyboardist Christina Schroeter. Their music is quintessentially sunny Calilfornia folk-rock, complete with male-female harmonies and jangly acoustic guitars. So far, the bittersweet anti-hero song Hero is their finest moment.
JULY 11, 9:30 p.m. The Tragically Hip
Bell
Seeing the Hip at Bluesfest is always a special occasion, but it’s extra special this year because they are overdue for an Ottawa show. After last year’s excellent album, Now for Plan A, was released, the beloved Canadian rockers toured the country, as usual, except they didn’t stop in Ottawa. Needless to say, fans are stoked for the Bluesfest show.
JULY 12, 9 p.m. Trampled Under Foot
BDT
The hottest blues band of the moment consists of three siblings who grew up in the blues-drenched environs of Kansas City, where their parents played the blues professionally. Singer-bassist Danielle Schnebelen and her brothers Nick (guitar, vocals) and Kris (drummer) took home first place in the 2008 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, boosting the anticipation for their new album, Badlands, due for release July 9.
JULY 13, 9:15 p.m. Björk
Bell
The eccentric Icelandic singersongwriter resurfaced with a new project, Biophilia, a couple of years ago, combining music, science and nature. She has taken it on the road this summer in the form of an ambitious concert production that’s heavy on theatrics. A recent concert at Bonnaroo left half the audience scratching their heads and the other half spellbound. Here’s hoping she wears the quill-adorned headdress and bubble-wrap dress.
JULY 13, 3 p.m. Half Moon Run
Bell
One of Canada’s hottest new indiefolk bands, Half Moon Run is based in Montreal although singer Devon Portielje is from Ottawa while Connor Molander and Dylan Phillips hail from Comox, B.C. Their debut album, Dark Eyes, reveals a fantastic marriage of talents, with lush folk-rock melodies, sweet harmonies and an electronic undercurrent. Think Radiohead meets Crosby, Stills and Nash.
JULY 13, 6:30 p.m.
BSS
JULY 14, 4:15 p.m.
River
King King
The latest chapter in the illustrious history of British blues features King King and its guiding light, Alan Nimmo, an impassioned singersongwriter and wicked guitarist with a knack for surrounding himself with talented musicians. The band won the statues for best band and best album in last year’s British Blues Awards and is perfectly poised to make waves on this side of the pond.
JULY 14, 6 p.m. Serena Ryder
Claridge
The Juno-winning Ontario singersongwriter may not have set out to reinvent herself on her latest album, Harmony, but that’s what seems to be happening. It’s especially evident in concert, where her blues and rock influences tend to dominate her quiet, folky side. Of course, with a powerhouse voice like hers, she can pull off any style effortlessly. Move over, Adele.
JULY 14, 7:15 p.m. Los Lonely Boys
River
It’s been a decade since the three Garza brothers of Los Lonely Boys blasted out of the Lone Star state with their soulful, jam-happy take on Texas blues-rock, and almost that long since they’ve been to Ottawa. Henry, Jojo and Ringo are back this year with a fiery new album, Rockpango, and a tour with fellow Texan Alejandro Escovedo that finally gets them back in Canada.