The Bombadils
The Bombadils, awarded Vocal Group of the Year by the Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2024, offer stirring lyrics with intertwining string-band arrangements, and tinges of bluegrass. Canadian arts journalist Bob Mersereau calls it "folk tunes done with musical adventure and sophistication" and Elmore Magazine, "an enchanting folk romp." Other recent accolades include Rising Star Recording of the Year at the 2024 East Coast Music Awards, and Americana/Bluegrass Recording of the Year at the 2023 Music Nova Scotia Awards.
Making their home in the foggy port city of Halifax, Canada, the band features folk darlings Sarah Frank and Luke Fraser, accompanied by guests from their extended musical community. Tour highlights include Koerner Hall in Toronto, Tivoli Gardens in Denmark, and Wintergrass festival outside Seattle. Their recent release, Dear Friend, comes after having moved to Atlantic Canada and launching straight into the rush of new parenthood, a new city, and a global pandemic. The 11-song album was recorded between lockdowns and daycare pick-ups, and it is a series of love letters of a certain kind—to family and friends, strangers and neighbours, cities and landscapes, and to each other.