Featured artist
Aspen Switzer
Aspen’s voice stops you in your tracks. It is powerful, subtle, pure and haunting, filled with longing, and an ethereal yet grounded quality. She has a clear sense of who she is. Her songs illuminate the stories of a young woman, wide awake, striving for balance in love, independence, aspirations and social responsibility and caring. Her trio sings flawless three-part harmonies, balancing the charm and warmth of old time music with the contemporary. Aspen's social interest and love for humanity is reflected in her concert history. She has played fundraisers and peace events ranging from Amnesty International's presentation of Maher Arar, to the Our Way Home Reunion, opening for a presentation by George McGovern. Although she is still an emerging artist, she came to national attention in 2007 when Hockey Day in Canada used three of her songs in their all day special when they visited her home town, Nelson. When she released her first music video on YouTube, she received an editors choice which resulted in over 20,000 views in the first week. Since releasing her first CD, Narrow Sky, she has played in venues from Victoria to Charlottetown. Since completing her latest tour of BC/Alberta this spring, she's been working on a new CD for release in the fall. She's as at home in a theatre in front of hundreds as she is in a packed house-concert. Aspen has been performing all her life. This has led to her uncontrived comfort on stage, which is truly infectious. Audiences quickly warm to the spontaneous stories which punctuate her musical offerings. Aspen makes her home in Montréal now but she returns regularly to the west to perform. Her show is reflective, funny and hauntingly beautiful. Her engaging stage presence, her powerful yet transparent voice, her love and ability with vocal harmonies and her clever and authentic songwriting all fuse together seamlessly, making Aspen an exciting and charming performer.