Bio
Folky Strum Strum is calibration of friends playing Alternative Northern Rocking Banjo Folk Music hailing from the Peace River Region of BCLiving in the Northeastern of British Columbia part of the Beaver, Dënéndeh, Kelly Lake Metis Settlement Society, and Michif Piyii (Métis) land.
Folky Strum Strum is a musical concept that started in 2004 Raised from the soul fires of North Eastern BC and have been playing professionally for over 15 years. The creation of Folky started with Iyan Bruvold as the singer-songwriter, vocalist, guitar and a few years later, complimented with the banjo.
Folky Strum Strum is calibration of friends playing Alternative Northern Rocking Banjo Folk Music hailing from the Peace River Region of BCLiving in the Northeastern of British Columbia part of the Beaver, Dënéndeh, Kelly Lake Metis Settlement Society, and Michif Piyii (Métis) land.
Folky Strum Strum is a musical concept that started in 2004 Raised from the soul fires of North Eastern BC and have been playing professionally for over 15 years. The creation of Folky started with Iyan Bruvold as the singer-songwriter, vocalist, guitar and a few years later, complimented with the banjo.
“Folky Strum Strum have a funky folk groove all their own and have earned their place on the Northern Music Festival scene in B.C.. We loved hosting them at Robson Valley and hope to bring them back in 2022”
Shara Gustafson
Robson Valley Music Festival
Folky Strum Strum are a mind bending mix of bluegrassy banjo and psychedelic sound that takes you down a trail of intense corners and beautiful views. They have performed at Music on the Mountain many times, and have built a loyal fan base that grows with every show. Really one of the best bands in BC, they are essential to the scene!-Lionel Conant, Founder and AD, MoM Festival.
Peace Fest, Hudson Hope,Bc
I am writing this letter of reference for Folky Strum Strum! If you are reading this, it likely means that Folky Strum Strum is interested in performing at your event. This is exciting news for any musical event looking to give their audience a memorable and moving experience.
We were lucky to host Folky Strum Strum at our first festival in 2021, the Peace Valley Folk Fest. We had the band perform Saturday night at the peak of the event, and they delivered ten fold. Iyan is very clearly in the moment as he steps behind the mic. As an audience member you feel that passion, that he is there to move you in one direction or another. As a festival organizer the feeling of relief hits you with their first note. They instil confidence that for the next 90 or so minutes they’ve got this, you can relax and enjoy the music.
If you have the chance, I would say book them now! The only hesitation in sending this letter is knowing we are building competition for getting them back to our Festival. They will move your crowd, emotionally and physically, and they will bring an experienced stage presence that lets you sit back and enjoy!
Hope to hear their tour schedule jam packed. More people need to hear Folky Strum Strum.
Cheers,
Ben Waechter.
I am writing this letter of reference for Folky Strum Strum! If you are reading this, it likely means that Folky Strum Strum is interested in performing at your event. This is exciting news for any musical event looking to give their audience a memorable and moving experience.
We were lucky to host Folky Strum Strum at our first festival in 2021, the Peace Valley Folk Fest. We had the band perform Saturday night at the peak of the event, and they delivered ten fold. Iyan is very clearly in the moment as he steps behind the mic. As an audience member you feel that passion, that he is there to move you in one direction or another. As a festival organizer the feeling of relief hits you with their first note. They instil confidence that for the next 90 or so minutes they’ve got this, you can relax and enjoy the music.
If you have the chance, I would say book them now! The only hesitation in sending this letter is knowing we are building competition for getting them back to our Festival. They will move your crowd, emotionally and physically, and they will bring an experienced stage presence that lets you sit back and enjoy!
Hope to hear their tour schedule jam packed. More people need to hear Folky Strum Strum.
Cheers,
Ben Waechter.
Music on the Mountain - "There were a number of highlights, with Folky Strum Strum being mentioned by a number of festival goers, as an amazing surprise, lead singer Iyan Iyan George Bruvold has a voice every bit as unique and plaintive as Eddy Vedder, only he sings while also rocking the banjo."
February 24, 2012 - Sweetwater905 Despite a bit of a blizzard outside, performers and dancers heated up the barn at the Mattson Ranch. And what an eclectic mix of performers and dancers there were! Shown here are musicians Iyan Bruvold and Hazen Sage. Other performances by Dirty Little Kitchen, Morgan McGowan, August, Cassandra, Folky Strum Strum, to name just a few, kept the place cooking until the wee hours. .By http://www.donnakane.ca
www.caledoniacourier.com
Folky Strum Strum, the sounds of home! Written by Anne Marrie Harris of "Northern Groove"
Tonight I had the pleasure of seeing local band Folky Strum Strum perform live at Egan's for the second time since returning to the Energetic City just a few weeks ago. I have missed the heart and soul that is the Fort St. John music scene, and the sounds of this band has welcomed me back with open arms!
Both the happy little wallflowers and the social butterflies in the room wore ear to ear smiles upon their faces while being serenaded by Folky Strum Strum's mesmorizing "post-modern bluegrass" sound.
It is clear that the band has a deep connection with their crowd as they participated with clapping, singing, dancing, foot stomping or just sitting back and feeling the joy of their music!
As a music lover you can't help but be mesmorized by the haunting sound of Josh Giesbrecht's violin and Iyan Bruvold's real-life, heartfelt lyrics. These quirky yet powerful arrangements are brought together by the melodic sounds flowing from Reno Fitch's mandolin. (Reno was not in attendance tonight)
The group has been described by fans as having a unique and soulful sound, that is backed by exceptional songwriting. These musical collaborations remind you that; sometimes "life is life" and enjoy what you have and who you are in the moment.
I strongly encourage anyone who enjoys and appreciates music to come out and witness another wonderful night with the fun-loving and enthusiastic Folky Strum Strum next time. Stay informed right here on the Northern Groove website for future events.
Both the happy little wallflowers and the social butterflies in the room wore ear to ear smiles upon their faces while being serenaded by Folky Strum Strum's mesmorizing "post-modern bluegrass" sound.
It is clear that the band has a deep connection with their crowd as they participated with clapping, singing, dancing, foot stomping or just sitting back and feeling the joy of their music!
As a music lover you can't help but be mesmorized by the haunting sound of Josh Giesbrecht's violin and Iyan Bruvold's real-life, heartfelt lyrics. These quirky yet powerful arrangements are brought together by the melodic sounds flowing from Reno Fitch's mandolin. (Reno was not in attendance tonight)
The group has been described by fans as having a unique and soulful sound, that is backed by exceptional songwriting. These musical collaborations remind you that; sometimes "life is life" and enjoy what you have and who you are in the moment.
I strongly encourage anyone who enjoys and appreciates music to come out and witness another wonderful night with the fun-loving and enthusiastic Folky Strum Strum next time. Stay informed right here on the Northern Groove website for future events.
Sometimes I write things,
Truly My Favourite Band Michael Boronowski Music is probably the single most important thing in my life. I could be (and have been) cold, alone, hungry, sad, dirty, hungover, and injured – but a good bit of music will pull me up out of the muck.
One of the bands that really inspires me is Folky Strum Strum and the Postmodern Bluegrass Boys (or Orchestra, or just Folky Strum Strum.)
I’ve done my fair share of jamming with songsmith Ian Bruvold, and always found him to be a creative if offbeat (but usually on or at least very near the actual beat) musician. The same goes for Reno Fitch, and especially Graham Kerr who I do believe is quickly becoming Western Canada’s best bass-clef-based musician.
I can remember the first time I heard these guys rip through a set, actually it could have been more of a meander or stroll.
It was fantastic. Ian, Graham, and Reno became something more than a tall guitarist, a tall mandolinist, and a tall bassist. They became a a musical distillation of rural Canadian life during a time that saw farmers turning into oilmen and oilmen turning into drugmen. That, and they didn’t have to stand on a stage to see over the crowd while doing it.
There is constant talk about style in music. We analyze genres and scenes, we pick apart influences and commonalities. For the most part, and I say this with no great joy, bands can be categorized. But the Folky Strum Strum became more than a genre or scene or a fusion of styles. "They" are, "the touching voice of something beyond human". Hearing their songs live was like tapping into actual meaning.
Louis Armstrong said, “What we play is life.”
Folky Strum Strum did, and I hope we all can find whatever truth they managed to connect to.
Ian Bruvold, I hope my praise doesn’t embarrass you too much. You’re pretty good at the music stuff.
One of the bands that really inspires me is Folky Strum Strum and the Postmodern Bluegrass Boys (or Orchestra, or just Folky Strum Strum.)
I’ve done my fair share of jamming with songsmith Ian Bruvold, and always found him to be a creative if offbeat (but usually on or at least very near the actual beat) musician. The same goes for Reno Fitch, and especially Graham Kerr who I do believe is quickly becoming Western Canada’s best bass-clef-based musician.
I can remember the first time I heard these guys rip through a set, actually it could have been more of a meander or stroll.
It was fantastic. Ian, Graham, and Reno became something more than a tall guitarist, a tall mandolinist, and a tall bassist. They became a a musical distillation of rural Canadian life during a time that saw farmers turning into oilmen and oilmen turning into drugmen. That, and they didn’t have to stand on a stage to see over the crowd while doing it.
There is constant talk about style in music. We analyze genres and scenes, we pick apart influences and commonalities. For the most part, and I say this with no great joy, bands can be categorized. But the Folky Strum Strum became more than a genre or scene or a fusion of styles. "They" are, "the touching voice of something beyond human". Hearing their songs live was like tapping into actual meaning.
Louis Armstrong said, “What we play is life.”
Folky Strum Strum did, and I hope we all can find whatever truth they managed to connect to.
Ian Bruvold, I hope my praise doesn’t embarrass you too much. You’re pretty good at the music stuff.
SweetWater Fest
"Iyan, Reno, and Josh are all local favourites in their own right and have recorded and performed to the delight of audiences in the prairies and beyond."
-Inge jean Mattson, Sweetwater Fest (Aug 01, 2010)
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Mountain Island Arts Contest
"Honourable Mention for the "contest to win a scholarship to IMA's four day Songwriting Workshop, July 27 - 30 with folk legend Ken Whiteley.""
-Island Mountain Arts (Jun 22, 2010)
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