Montreal, QC-based band RedFox is something totally unique. With a high energy, ambient, folk-infused sound, RedFox combines elements of traditional instruments with a more electric/rock feel.Â
Their current discography consists of one award-winning full-length album, achieved with support from the Canada Council for the Arts, entitled Stranger Love released in the fall of 2021, as well as two four-track EPs, Recovery and Quarantunes.
They are currently working on their second album which will be released in 2024, and just completed successful tours of the East Coast of Canada and the United Kingdom this summer 2023.
RedFox is set to play Summerfolk in Owen Sound, Ontario on Saturday, August 19 at 7:00 pm.
Listen to their latest release, Stranger Love below and learn more about RedFox via our SummerFolk Performer Interview.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Of course! My name is Daphnee Vandal and I am the lead singer and violinist of RedFox. I’ve been playing violin for most of my life, starting when I was around 5 years old and studied classical music through University. I actually met two of my bandmates, Jono Townsend (guitar) and Sam Neumann (drums) at Bishop’s University where we all studied music. I recently discovered a passion for folk music/bluegrass during the pandemic as I was looking to branch out into new areas of music, and have fallen in love with fiddling which I incorporate into the RedFox sound. As for singing, I’ve been doing that for most of my life as well! My mum tells me I was singing to all the Disney movies as soon as I could make noises.Â
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
Our most recent release is entitled Stranger Love and was released in October 2021. It is our debut full-length album and undoubtedly our most prominent project to date, and the one that I am most proud of. Up until recently, I put a lot of myself and my experience into the lyrics and songs I write, and this album absolutely reflects that. Post-pandemic, the album is about the ups and downs in dealing with the pandemic experience, discovering parts of myself that were otherwise hidden or veiled, and how I dealt with the meaningful interpersonal relationships in my life. It’s raw, it’s emotional and it’s real. My hope is that listeners feel connected through the music and can have an experience that is new and/or relatable when they hear our album.
You’re set to play Summerfolk in Owen Sound, Ontario on the weekend of August 18-20. Is this your first time performing at the festival?
This is not our first time! We performed last year and had an absolute blast 🙂 We are so grateful to be returning. The experience is absolutely one we look forward to.Â
With a stellar lineup, who are you excited to check out the fest?
Being a woman in music, I look forward to seeing a lot of the women performers! I’m looking forward to having Loreena McKennitt take me somewhere far away in her dreamy vocals, and to dance along to Serena Ryder’s wonderful tunes. I can’t believe we get to see Graham Lindsey as well, I’ve been listening to him for years and am really excited to finally see him in person.Â
We have a lot of friends attending too! We met Angelique Francis at the Canadian Folk Music Awards this past April when we won Emerging Folk Artist of the Year! She was absolutely spectacular and we can’t wait to see her again. We saw Wesli as well at the folk awards and oh wow, what a great time! Some really incredible musical talent. Additionally, we met The Pairs at Mariposa last year and can’t wait to touch base with them again and hear their beautiful harmonies! Lastly, Jessica Pearson is one of our long-time friends and we’re so happy to see her in the lineup. She’s an incredible artist and one you won’t want to miss.
For someone who has yet to see you perform live, describe your performance in 3 words.
Energetic, ambient, passionate.
When you think of a summer festival, like Summerfolk, what’s the first thing that comes to mind that you want to check out, other than the music?
The art!! All of the amazing artists that set up their shops around the festival. It’s such a wonderful vibe to experience many different mediums of art all at once.Â
Do you have any other upcoming shows or festivals to tell us about?
Yes! We will be playing the Chaffey’s Locks Dance on August 26, we have a big show in Montreal at La Marche a Cote on August 31st, and perhaps our most notable upcoming show is in September when we will be participating in CityFolk Festival on September 14, opening up for the Arkells!! We absolutely cannot wait.Â