Julian Taylor is a Toronto-based, award-winning independent singer-songwriter, radio host, and label owner. Over 20-plus years as the leader of Staggered Crossing, Julian Taylor Band, and his solo work, Julian established himself as one of Canada’s greatest troubadours. His 2020 LP, The Ridge, earned two Juno Award nominations, a pair of Canadian Folk Music Awards, five Native American Music Award nominations, and a nomination for the Polaris Music Prize. Julian's new album, Beyond the Reservoir, builds on the soul-folk sound and autobiographical themes.
It’s rare in this era to see an artist build slowly and reach a new level of widespread acclaim two decades into their career. But Julian’s ethos, work ethic, and artistry has always had a timeless quality to it. And so, he’s built things slowly in a DIY fashion, withstanding highs and lows along the way, ultimately reaching the peak of his powers with his latest solo work. Fans and critics have noticed, granting Julian the Solo Artist of the Year honour at the Canadian Folk Music Awards (and nomination in the English Songwriter category), plus two Juno Award nominations in 2021, as well as a Polaris Music Prize nomination.

Growing up in Toronto on a combination of soul music, hip-hop, blues, and Americana along with ‘90s alternative, Julian was still a teenager when he co-founded the alt-rock band Staggered Crossing in 1996. Within three years, the band signed a publishing deal with industry icon Frank Davies and a record deal with a major label, Warner Music Canada.

Staggered Crossing’s self-titled debut album was released in 2001 and instantly earned Julian his first hit song. “Further Again,” was one of the most played songs on Canadian rock radio in the early 2000s and remains a signature tune of the era in Julian’s home country. It, along with second single “A Million Works of Art," established Julian and Staggered Crossing as rock artists with infectious pop sensibilities.

Kejo Kameke Buchanan is a Librarian at the Toronto Reference Library Arts Department that curates folk acoustic sound through Jali Journey on a community radio station, CJRU 1280AM. Also Executive Producer of FolkRecovery.org an oral history project celebrating and archiving BIPOC Canadian folk storytellers available in various accessible formats.

As an Afro-Canadian knowledge sharer and creative of Jamaican heritage her credentials include over 6 years experience in non-profit database management, BA in Humanities, Library Tech diploma and MLIS degree. Travelling between areas of community, creativity, information and nature. Her consistent goal is to merge her information skills and artistry within collectives of community builders, seed planters and those honouring and benefiting from collective healing and change.