| Host - Amanda Kind (BA '06) Amanda Kind is a singer, songwriter, vocal coach, entertainment marketer, and a proud UW alumna. Her work in the arts and music community has garnered her a Waterloo Region Arts Award, the Rogers Television Woman of the Year Award, and recognition as one of the region’s Top 40 Under 40. She’s passionate about community, culture, and kindness and loves connecting with people. Learn more about her at www.amandakind.com or on Instagram @missakind. |
| Lyle Kam (Current Student) Student by day and musician by night, 21 year-old Toronto-based singer-songwriter Lyle Kam is just getting started. Lyle’s curiosity for creating something different led him to sound design and production, allowing him to develop his sound to reach mainstream audiences without losing sight of where he came from. With sonic comparisons to Ed Sheeran, LAUV, and Shawn Mendes, Lyle pours his heart into his music, tackling the experience of life, love, and loss, all while working toward his university degree. On his latest EP “Folly”, he says “I really wanted to focus on recreating what it feels like to experience all these stages of a failed relationship. I originally wrote these songs as a way to just get my own emotions out, but I've seen the effect that music can have on people, and the comfort it can bring to those going through something similar.” |
| Safe as Houses Safe as Houses is a five-piece alternative-folk outfit from Kitchener, ON. Fresh off the release of their critically acclaimed 3rd studio album, Lucky Lucky, Safe as Houses continues to push boundaries in the folk world with their genre-splicing alternative-folk sound, infused with flecks of pop and rock. Armed with a collection of youth-driven anthems, this kinetic quintet has amassed a cult following, spiralling out from their hometown of Kitchener, ON, where bandmates Elliot Anton (guitar, vocals) and Bensen Carter (cello, bass, vocals), along with brothers Andrew Laughton (guitar, vocals) and Thomas Laughton (drums, vocals), laid the bands monumental foundation. Chasing a more expansive sound, Safe As Houses enlisted Lauren Taylor (violin, vocals) to round out their signature string-centric arrangements and soften the edges of their soul-stirring harmonies. Since their debut on the music scene in 2014 with their freshman album, The Fall of a Sparrow, and further fuelled by their follow-up releases, Hurricane (2016), and Lucky Lucky (2018), audiences and critics alike have celebrated their undeniable musical aptitude, praising theirtight performances and likening them to legendary artists: “Their music follows in the footsteps of Mumford & Sons with orchestral arrangements and big builds...will leave you with goosebumps.” - BAM Productions. |
| the Water Boys Founded in 2008, the Water Boys are the University of Waterloo's premier lower-voices a cappella group and band of (non-gendered) brothers. They sing musically intricate arrangements of top 50, pop, rock, contemporary, and classic songs and put on fun performances on and off-campus. They also compete in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella and were finalists in 2017! In 2021, the Water Boys placed 3rd in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella Central Quarterfinal and received the Outstanding Mix award! |