Mel Farrimond

Co-Writer
 

Mel Farrimond is from Scotland, but now lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. After singing with a number of bands in Scotland, including Yes Yes Juliette - once described as the hardest working band on the gig scene - and Newfoundland, Mel began crafting and performing her own songs in new Scotland.

A first foray into recording her original songs led to the EP, Melancholy, in 2008. In 2011, Mel released the full-length album, Through the Darkness.

Mel has performed widely, including at Stanfest, when her Moon Song won a video contest for a 'tweener spot on the main stage, and the Go-Girls showcase at Folk Alliance in Memphis. She has performed several times with Susan Crowe and Ann Fearon. Mel is working on a new EP of original songs. Mel can be reached at mel.farrimond@gmail.com.

John Lindsey-Botten

Music Arranger
 

A Music grad of Mt. A (’93), John Lindsay-Botten has been active in church music since he was 11, and since 2004 in Greater Halifax, John’s been involved with St. Andrew’s and Bedford United Churches, Calvin Presbyterian Church and the Cathedral Church of All Saints, to name a few.

He is also a private music instructor, professional vocalist, actor, composer and arranger, as well as husband to Vanessa and father to Mariella and Barrett. Lastly, he founded and continues to direct the East Coast Carolling Co., bringing holiday harmonies to Halifax and beyond.

You can contact John at music@knoxsackville.ca

Joëlle Désy

French Adaptation

Joëlle Désy was born and raised in Québec City. She now lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia where one of her interests is songwriting. Joëlle enjoys collaboration with other songwriters on French, English or bilingual projects. She has worked with Cailin Green, Nathalie Ladouceur and Joanna Butler to name a few.

Joëlle Désy est née à Québec où elle a grandi. Elle vit maintenant à Halifax en Nouvelle-Écosse et un de ses intérêts est la composition de chansons. Elle apprécie beaucoup la collaboration avec d’autres auteurs-compositeurs que cela soit en français, en anglais ou même pour des projets bilingues. Joëlle a travaillé avec Cailin Green, Nathalie Ladouceur et Joanna Butler pour n’en nommer que quelques-uns.

Sonia Losier

Lead French vocals

An Acadian from Village Blanchard, New Brunswick, Sonia Losier has been at home in Nova Scotia for 26 years. She has been singing with the vocal ensemble Les voix d'Acadie since her arrival in Dartmouth, and has participated in the Galas of Nova Scotia and Caraquet. She likes to showcase her culture and love for Francophone and Acadian songs, including singing at conferences or participating in shows across the province. She is especially in her element when she can dance and sing while she is alongside artists from multiple backgrounds. "I am particularly proud to participate in this project to celebrate the wonderful work our soldiers are doing! What a beautiful way to thank them by offering this song!” This new project is one of many reasons why she continues to sing and get involved in her community: we must continue to sow joy and love one another.

Acadienne originaire de Village Blanchard au Nouveau-Brunswick, Sonia Losier est chez elle en Nouvelle-Écosse depuis 26 ans. Elle chante avec l’ensemble vocal Les voix d'Acadie depuis son arrivée à Dartmouth et a participé aux galas de la chanson de la Nouvelle-Écosse et de Caraquet. Elle aime présenter sa culture et son amour pour la chanson francophone et acadienne, entre autres en chantant à des conférences ou en participant à des spectacles partout en province. Elle est surtout dans son élément lorsqu’elle peut faire danser et chanter les gens alors qu’elle est aux côtés d'artistes en provenance d'horizons multiples. « Je suis particulièrement fière de participer à ce projet pour célébrer le merveilleux travail que font nos militaires! Quelle belle façon de les remercier en leur offrant cette chanson! » Ce nouveau projet est une des nombreuses raisons pourquoi elle continue de chanter et de s’impliquer dans sa communauté: il faut continuer de semer la joie et s’aimer les uns les autres.

Scott Ferguson

Video and Song Production

After a string of school bands, a Diploma in Jazz Studies and a Bachelor of Music from St. Francis Xavier University, Scott Ferguson has gone on to live his musical dreams. In the early 80’s Scott focused on his jazz passion studying with renowned drum teacher Jim Blackley in Toronto and performing with such greats as Oliver Jones, Peter Appleyard and Dave Young.

Settling in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Scott broadened his stylistic scope and in 1992 embarked on a thirteen year tenure touring and recording with “The Rankin Family”and “The Rankin Sisters. After hundreds of concerts in Canada, The United States, The U.K. and Australia Scott started pursuing his interest in studio production. Inspired by his work with legendary Nashville producers George Massenberg and John Jennings, Scott opened his recording facility “Studio FMP” (now FMP Matrix) in 2001.

Since then Scott has engineered and/or produced over 170 full length albums and countless sessions for artist such as Myles Goodwyn, Brooklyn Blackmore, L’nuta,ql, 2nd Generation, Ray Mattie, Tj King, Dave Carroll, Dean Brody, Ryan Cook, Sons of Maxwell, Charlie A'Court, NS Mass Choir, Ian Sherwood, Kim Wempe, Carmel Mikol, Kendra and Troy MacGillivray, JD Clarke, as well as worked on film scores, internet media and podcasting efforts. Recordings that Scott has contributed his technical and creative skills to have gone on to win or be nominated for dozens of ECMA, MNS, MAJA, Juno and CCMA awards.

In 2016, Scott was named Music Nova Scotia Studio Engineer of the Year and in 2019 ECMA Studio Engineer of the Year. His studio FMP Matrix also received ECMA 2019 honours.