“Right from the opening, there are haunting and timeless string elements working together to create a wonderful sound. Folks who enjoy bluegrass and roots country music will find a lot to like.”

-Ear to the Ground Music

BC has a brilliant new folk roots band bringing original music to the Salish Coast Music Festival. Their timeless songs feature authentic, acoustic-driven music with themes of storytelling, memory, and BC's landscape.

The Southern Residents was born from the collaboration of Tom Taylor and Adrian Dolan, two seasoned figures in the Canadian music scene. When Tom set out to record his original folk-inspired songs, he needed musicians who could bring his vision to life. Adrian, multi-instrumentalist and experienced producer, was the ideal partner. Together, they assembled a group of Canada’s finest musicians, each contributing their unique sound to the project. The group’s debut album, Folk Signals, garnered them a 2026 Juno nomination for Traditional Roots Album. This accolade was followed by Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for Ensemble of the Year.

“While Folk Signals is definitely a Canadian folk album, with heavy old-time American influences, there are aspects to the song writing and Tom’s vocal delivery that defy simple categorization,” said Dolan. “There’s a driving rock n roll energy, some gut-wrenching ballads, some instrumental shredding and crafty harmonies for the Bluegrassers, as well as poignant and timely lyrics for for the song folks. I think it’s an album with a lot of authenticity, and unique appeal.”

With Tom Taylor on acoustic guitar and vocals and Adrian Dolan playing the fiddle and mandolin, The Southern Residents’ lineup also includes Scott White from Vancouver Island’s renowned The Bills on bass; Jeanne Tolmie of The Luckies, adding rich vocal harmonies; and Shanti Bremer from The Sweet Lowdown, whose banjo adds a traditional bluegrass touch.

Victoria’s Daniel Lapp, an acclaimed fiddler and multi-instrumentalist, brings his talents to the twin fiddle tunes, while David Hughes of She Stole My Beer and The Radio Grande plays the Dobro.

“There’s a generosity in the song writing, a belief in the healing power of song. The arrangements, steeped in fiddle, banjo, dobro, and lush harmonies, recall the traditions of North American folk while never feeling derivative.”

- Chris Bound, Mystic Sons

"Holy Crap! SO WELL DESERVED! Tom Taylor's new album "Folk Signals" and band The Southern Residents got nominated for a Juno! Check it out wherever you consume music. It's SO GOOD!!"

- Shari Ulrich