Wednesday, July 9, 2025
HomeArts & LifeGrand Canyon set to bring its roots/country to NXNE stage

Grand Canyon set to bring its roots/country to NXNE stage

Published on

It’s big. Very big.

Last year, more than 280,000 people descended on it, generating millions of dollars for the local economy.

Fitting, then, that this year Grand Canyon — Chris Seldon and Courtney Farquhar — is one of the 650 musical acts playing the North by Northeast Music Festival and Conference (NXNE), which this year, its 17th, runs June 13–19 in venues around Toronto.

“Courtney and I have both played NXNE as solo artists but this is our first time together,” Seldon said. “We are excited to be a part of it.”

The duo have only been playing together since August of last year, but already have quite a following of music lovers who dig their brand of singing, lyrical storytelling and finger-picking guitar work.

“I would describe our music as roots/country,” Seldon said. “We are fans of ‘real deal’ artists and miss the good old days of the outlaw balladeer.

“We get our influences from Allison Krauss, Merle Haggard and Neil Young.”

Grand Canyon is set to play the NXNE festival Friday at 9 p.m. at The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave. This gig, though, is just one of many on the horizon.

“We have a busy summer of shows ahead,” Seldon said. “We are playing at the Drake Hotel July 5th and 12th, and are planning another trip to Nashville, [Tenn.], in July, along with working on a U.K. tour for the fall.”

And why the name Grand Canyon?

“Because,” Seldon said, “it’s vast and beautiful, like us.”

For more NXNE information, visit nxne.com.

Learn about Centennial College's School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design

Latest articles

Ti-Cats rout Argos as QB Mitchell shines on historic night

Hamilton Tiger-Cats roared to a 51-38 win over the host Toronto Argonauts on Friday...

Ti-Cats hand Argos fourth loss in five games

Bo Levi Mitchell threw for five touchdowns and passed a big career milestone as...

What does it mean to be trans and Canadian?

Canada is widely regarded as one of the safest places in the world to be transgender, but trans people say they still remain vigilant.

Young Canadians have a different view now of driving, instructor says

For generations, getting a driver’s license was seen as a rite of passage, a symbol of independence and adulthood.

More like this

What does it mean to be trans and Canadian?

Canada is widely regarded as one of the safest places in the world to be transgender, but trans people say they still remain vigilant.

This young Toronto woman is turning fashion into freedom

Through her Caribbean-inspired outfits and Toronto thrift finds, this student shows how self-expression can be a powerful reflection of culture.