Our guides of who to see come from hours of painstaking research and occasionally the odd bit of serendipity. Jake Vaadeland's name cropped up when talking to Jaime April from April Moon who also hails from their shared prairie province of Saskatchewan and who cited Jake as an influence. Her verdict was "He's not only a great songwriter but such an amazing entertainer - like, seriously our favourite act that we've seen all year".
Jake will surely be one of the best dressed artistes at Long Road with one of the slickest haircuts ( the finest hair in the land according to "Retro Man") as he unleashes his brand of Bluegrass on us. The joy of Bluegrass is that it is generally so fast and frenetic that even if you don't care for a song another that you do like will be along in a few minutes. Quite a few of Jake's songs barely clock in at over 2 minutes, though there's lots of enjoyment to be had from the deceptively simple "Pretty Girl" or the homespun adventures of "Cow In The Road.
If you like your early Johnny Cash sound then this is a man you'll want to see, there is a similar vibe going on.
It is on his longer songs, like "Father's Son" and "Be A Farmer Or A Preacher" where Jake's abilities to tell a story really come to the fore. The latter, slightly slower paced, with a rich narrative backed and a wailing pedal steel guitar, tells the life of someone trapped by birth. It's introduction prepares you that what you'll hear will not be happy
"There's a place I remember so well
With stories that only I can tell
Come listen to my story for a while
But be prepared, what you hear won't make you smile"
and the chorus relays just how trapped the narrator is
"Be a farmer or a preacher, and look a little meeker
Don't tell anyone about your blues
Submit and obey, and thank the Lord every day
That you can't live a life that you choose
Cause someone's gotta fill your Daddy's shoes"
"Father's Son" is one that has that same rhythm of a Johnny Cash song, it details being a chip off the block of a father normally not a problem however as Jake's relays people are not universally pleased by this
"Now everywhere I go, I carry a burden of shame
Oh and everybody prays that the good Lord won't make me the same"
He revels in it though " Just like my father, I am a black coloured lamb" and the chorus is one ball of defiance
"So they say that I'm a sinner, but I know that I'm a winner
Cause the Lord still dwells within
But don't give me any rules, I'm as stubborn as a mule
And I won't let you under my skin
I've got news for you
I'm my father's son, and I'm like him too!"
Jake's current single is the Avicii song "Wake Me Up" which has been transformed into a Bluegrass version for which he is joined by fellow Canadian, Tebey - which should work well in a Festival environment.
So based on personal recommendation and a favourable whizz through his available releases we have no qualms in making Jake Vaadeland a must see at Long Road.
Exact timings to be confirmed however Jake Vaadeland will play Sunday at Buddy's Good Time Bar Stage