WINTERRUPTION – Ila Barker / Vsuvius / Paper Machetes

Ila Barker

With soul and voice as smooth as warm honey, singer songwriter Ila Barker captures audiences with her sweet melodies and dynamic presence. Ila is of mixed Anishinaabe and settler heritage with roots running deep in the Manitoban prairies, seasoning her craft with rich history and powerful textures.

Coming from a long line of storytellers, she fuses authentic and timeless notes creating moments of serenity and blissful escape. Ila has brought her craft to an array of national festivals and stages including the Regina Folk Festival, the Winnipeg Folk Festival and the sākihiwē festival. In the summer of 2019 Ila opened up a sold out show for Jeremy Dutcher at the Indian River Festival in PEI.

In February of 2020 Ila released the “Let Go” single, an atmospheric and stripped down collaboration with UK based artist Milan André that was recorded off the floor in one take in

the northern Cree nation of Nemaska, Quebec. “Let Go” landed on the National Indigenous Music Countdown, and climbed up the charts for three months straight hitting the top 15. Currently Ila is in the planning stages of future releases. Ila has been songwriting and sharing her stories for over 10 years now. In 2011 she was awarded first place in the NCI Jam for her original song “The Tree Song”. In 2013 Ila released her debut self-titled EP which continues to be heard on radio and satellite stations across North America. Her songs “Home” and “Complete” charted on the Indigenous Music Countdown and both hit the #1 spot quickly. Having started her career organically, Ila keeps roots in the community by offering and participating in artistic and professional development workshops and local art initiatives. Currently Ila is sitting on the Manitoba Music Indigenous Music Steering Committee and the FACTOR Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She created and facilitates a nationally- funded local music workshop program called AIRsessions, which primarily hires local Indigenous artists, and delivers mentorship to youth ages 13-25. During the school year she works with Indigenous youth in Cree communities in northern Quebec, teaching songwriting and music production.

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Vsuvius

Your friendly neighbourhood dynamic range production & DJ duo comprised of members V + S and based out of Treaty No. 1 Land aka Winnipeg, MB.

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Paper Machetes

Cinematic power pop with soul from the cold plains of Manitoba.

Paper Machetes is led by Christy Taronno who has been enigmatically contributing her songwriting to various projects for years. Her songs have been featured in theatre (Bizarro Obscure 2014, Manic Pixie Dream Girl 2015, Uncomfortably Live 2017,) television (Wynter 2018,) and film (CBC Short Doc – Exposed Nerves 2018, Ruthless Souls 2020.)

After Taronno made a connection with drummer Danny Nguyen playing in the alt rock band SETTLERS in 2013, they decided to form a new, more indie sounding project in 2016. That year, Paper Machetes released their first EP “The True Life EP.” In Fall 2021, after a year of distanced collaboration with producer Justin Delorme, Paper Machetes will be releasing a new EP, “Balancing Act.” It will feature an earthy, modern vintage sound that explores themes of existentialism and hope in the face of it.

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COVID-19 Protocols

The West End Cultural Centre will continue to require that patrons wear facemasks and show proof of vaccination for all events in the venue.

We will continue to evaluate this policy as circumstances evolve.