Justine Vandergrift

https://www.showpass.com/found-sounds-ft-justine-vandergrift/?no-cache=1

Few tix left!

Found Sounds ft Justine Vandergrift & Noah Bolton - Found Books & Shop - Cochrane - Mar 28, 2026 Found Sounds: A Bi-Monthly Music Series Found Books & Shop is partnering with Blue Willow Entertainment to bring you Found Sounds: a bi-monthly music series blending live performance with intimate conversation. Think Tiny Desk meets cozy listening room, with a touch of podcast-style storytelling. Ea...

Some tickets still available. A rare opportunity to catch me live at the end of the month in YYC. I'm honoured to get to open the night for Lennie Gallant!

LENNIE GALLANT with Justine Vandergrift - Braeside Community Association - Calgary - Jan 31, 2026 Chinook Musical Society presents nine "Saturday Night Special" concerts every year, featuring a range of genres from folk and country, to blues, Celtic and folk rock. While we do present acts from all over North America, and some international, we are especially proud to showcase our Canadian and lo...

I have to share something that’s been on my mind for a bit now: Every time I go on Instagram and see my Canadian music friends who are currently active in the music industry, with the exception of a few (hats off to Corb Lund), I find myself wondering why aren’t any of these people using their platform and art to speak up for change?

I remember a late night conversation at Folk Alliance 2018 with Martyn Joseph, and he was in tears with frustration at how my generation wasn’t writing about anything meaningful while the world around us is in crisis. At the time, I was not clear minded because of the nature of these conferences, but deep down, I knew he was right, and I was honestly ashamed of how shallow my songs were at the time.

Almost 8 years later and I feel his sentiment more than ever. Yeah maybe I’m getting older, and maybe I envy those who are actively gigging but now that I’m a parent and have had a chance to step back and think about the semi-professional career in music I had/have, Martin’s words couldn’t feel more true.

I’ve been taking a hiatus from the grind so that I can focus on being a mother, being healthy, and pursue a career in Psychology so that can support my family (cause f**k Spotify and the non-existing music unions). And I’ve been writing when I can because it’s one of the ways I cope with the fear, pain, and grief I feel aboit our planet, our species, and the political powers that be. I’ll be back out there gigging and putting out songs in a year or so. Just need to pass my damn psychology licensing exam first. 😵‍💫

But man, it makes my skin crawl to see so many privileged artists and missed opportunities to create meaningful and lasting change with art. I’m so sick of the skin deep lyrics that sends people on decent tour and eventually to the Ryman auditorium, massey hall, and stadiums. And I always hope that once someone gets to that level, they’ll say something that matters (i.e. Billie Eilish level stuff), and they rarely do. What a wasted shot at a legacy.

So here’s my plea to active artists: use your platform to say something that brings hope to people who see a world being dominated by hate.

Make art that my kid will look back upon and say: my mom‘s friends knew what was going on in the world and they were speaking up about it.

Stop trying to be cool or interesting or different or business savvy whatever bu****it. Be an artist they pays attention to the world around you.

And to quote Bill Bourne, a mentor who I still miss dearly, “the job of a musician is to bring hope and let the people know they are ok.”

Tomorrow night south YYC! 🎶🍷🎉☀️💓

Gigging for stampede is a whole lot different when you’ve got a busy young toddler. Any parent knows that sleep deprivation in the summer heat requires next level resilience. Playing music on top of that sure is something else but thankfully my Sunland partner is the chillest bud and always has my back. Also, I don’t know how and I would do anything we do without the help of my parents! ❤️🙏🏻

Thanks to Kris for these photos taken a new favorite place to hang and for booking us! Happy Stampede!