The Janzen Boys

Alt. Country Children's Folk Singer/songwriter

The Janzen Boys

About

"Far and away the revelation of this session was the Janzen Boys, a family trio from Winnipeg consisting of 17-year-old Simon on bass, 13-year-old Mick on mandolin, and their dad, John, on guitar.  Their songs were strong, and their harmonies were out of this world.  Couple all that with the sheer joy of watching a dad and his sons having so much fun on stage together and you’ve got an act that could be playing big festival stages in no time."

- Roots Music Canada (rootsmusic.ca)

Father-and-sons trio, The Janzen Boys, got their start busking as a rootsy, harmony-singing family playing in various places around Winnipeg, Manitoba. It wasn't long, however, before there was a demand for more. Things kicked off when they were chosen for a finalists showcase in the University of Winnipeg’s Uniter Fiver contest for emerging artists. Soon performances on Facebook and Youtube became a focus and at this point their videos have racked up over 50,000 views.

In the summer of 2015, the Boys wrote the story and music for a kids play that they performed in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival. This resulted in multiple sellouts, a 4-star review from the CBC, and a positive mention in The Winnipeg Free Press in an article entitled "Has the Fringe been Politically Neutered?"

Also in 2015 they sat down with local producer JP Laurendeau to create a 4 song EP called Roads. The EP features The Janzen Boys’ family harmonies along with the musical talents of Ariel Posen and Ryan Voth of The Bros. Landreth.

In 2016 with the help of a grant from FACTOR and local producer Murray Pulver (Doc Walker, Crash Test Dummies) the boys turned their fringe musical into a full-length CD book. They were joined by local artists Erin Propp, Begonia, and William Prince who provided the voices of the characters. 

The band took their Blink's Garden show on the road in 2016 and 2017 to the Edmonton, Toronto, and Winnipeg Fringe Festivals, where they performed to more sellout audiences. In addition to the Fringe Festivals the band has kept busy on the festival circuit, performing at Festival du Voyageur, Dauphin CountryFest, The Fire and Water Festival in Lac du Bonnet, and The Trout Forest Music Festival.

After a successful showcase for the Manitoba Arts Network in Russell MB, the Boys booked a series of shows all over the province that will commence in October 2018. 

 

Listen

Blink's Garden

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"Just Don't Forget About That" from Blink's Garden

Roads

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"Where Are You (In Regard To Me)" from Roads

Roads

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"Family Affair" from Roads

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