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 Joal Kamps: http://www.joalkamps.com/

Brief Summary
Alberta’s own JOAL KAMPS is a free spirited singer-songwriter – passionate about sharing his original music with others. By blending storytelling with songwriting, Joal creates music that he describes as “Rocky Mountain Folk-Pop“. In very short order has already released three albums, performed numerous tours across Western Canada and the United States, and been invited to, and performed at festivals in the United States, Europe, and Canada – all as a self-taught independent artist no less!
The Story So Far
The foothills are alive with the sound of music and award winning singer-songwriter JOAL KAMPS is in his element at center stage, thriving. Named after his grandfathers John and Albert, who both immigrated to Canada as young men, Joal is a free spirit with adventure in his blood – and it’s very apparent.
Before his career in music, Kamps spent four years travelling around the world in search of adventure and the ever-elusive self. He went from sleeping in a car for six weeks one harsh Canadian winter, to walking the runways of Italy as a male model during Men’s Fashion Week, to building and installing BioSand water filters in impoverished communities in El Salvador. From Asia to Europe to Central America, he went wherever the winds would take him. Perhaps that’s what makes his songs resonate with the sojourner in all of us. By blending storytelling with songwriting, Kamps creates music that he describes as “Rocky Mountain Folk-Pop.”
Sojourner, Joal’s most recent release, won an Album of the Year Award at the 2012 Western Canadian Music Awards. His first single Take My World Apart also won a Song of the Year Award in the 2012 Independent Music Awards. Receiving extremely positive reviews from critics and industry peers alike, Sojourner has helped launch Joal into the creative fore of his blossoming career as an up-and-coming Canadian folk musician.
Currently, JOAL KAMPS has his sights set on releasing a brand new Alberta inspired album early in 2014. With the success of Sojourner, Joal has been hard at work writing and recording a new collection of rich storytelling songs. This record will feature his unique Rocky Mountain Folk-Pop sound, but this time, he is experimenting with the addition of his World Music influence. Keep your eyes peeled for tour dates across Western Canada this spring.
Joal and his wife Lauren live in Calgary, Alberta – located just east of the Rocky Mountains: where he finds inspiration for his music and coincidentally, camps! He spends his free time hiking in search of the next great swimming hole, or recharging his creative spirit beneath the boughs of a white spruce – his guitar and songbook always within arms reach.
Awards & Accomplishments
- *Winner* of Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards in 2012: Sojourner.
- *Winner* of Contemporary Christian Song of the Year in the 2012 Independent Music Awards: Take My World Apart.
- Finalist in the Calgary Folk Music Festival Songwriting Contest 2011, 2012, & 2013.
- Finalist in the worldwide Rocky Mountaineer Song Contest 2013.
- Semi-Finalist (x2) in the Unsigned Only Music Competition 2013.
- Semi-Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition 2011.
- Recipient of Alberta Foundation for the Arts Commercial Recording Grant.
- Recipient of RAWLCO Radio’s 10K20 Funding.
- Recipient of FACTOR Demo Recording Grant (x2).
- Recipient of FACTOR Showcasing Grant.
- Showcase at Canadian Music Week 2012 & 2013.
- Showcase at Big Valley Jamboree 2013.
- Showcase at Alberta Showcase 2013.
- Showcase at BreakOut West 2012.
- Featured on CTV’s Canada AM Soundstage (Toronto, ON, CAN).
- Featured on Park City TV (Park City, UT, USA).
- Featured on City TV’s Breakfast Television (Edmonton, AB, CAN).
- Featured on City TV’s Breakfast Television (Calgary, AB, CAN).
- Featured on Balcony TV (Edmonton, AB, CAN).
- Featured on Big Rock Brewery’s ‘Untapped’ national compilation.
- Featured on CAUSE Canada’s ‘Water & Music Mix’ compilation.
- Featured on Alberta’s Own 2012 compilation.
- Featured on Independent Artists of Alberta 2011 compilation.
- Secured a Management deal with LJB Artist Management.
- Signed a Distribution agreement with Dynasty Records.