BIO
“This is some up beat folk ‘tunage’ best described as ‘modern folk.’ In Violet’s voice I hear the confidence of a seasoned performer such as Neco Case or Lily Frost.” — Colin Lock, Fernie Free Press
Energetic. Toe-tapping goodness. Sly Violet is an indie folk rock husband-and-wife duo. From small towns in Ontario and Nova Scotia, they are now based in Salmo, BC. Featuring Violet Clarke (guitar, harmonica, keyboard, vocals) and Sly Boston (drums), their shows are lively and upbeat. Their modern folk music is driven by Violet’s guitar, woven with powerful vocals, and completed with Sly’s pocket drum beats.
“Violet Clarke has the music inside... Her voice is as perfect for a hot summer day as it is for a cool fall night.” — Carolyn Nikodym, Fernie Fix Magazine, Fernie, BC
Sly Violet is gaining momentum in Canada after touring extensively over the past decade. After hundreds of shows their unique musical style has been road-tested and enjoyed by audiences from coast to coast. From George Street in Newfoundland, to ski resorts throughout the Rocky Mountains, to festival stages in Ontario. Sly Violet is making waves in small towns and big cities across Canada with their engaging and entertaining live shows.
“Just blown away! Not just by your singing which is great; but your songwriting, guitar playing and everything.” — Dave Illman, 91.9 BOB FM, Lindsay ON
Multiple albums have garnered radio play and awards for their modern pop folk rock music. Sly Violet has independently released 3 studio albums: Feel Your Way Out (2009), King of the Mountain (2011), and Friends From Far Places (2015). Feel Your Way Out earned BEST FOLK at the Barrie New Music Awards and a nomination for BEST FOLK/ROOTS at the Toronto Independent Music Awards. Violet won the Kawartha Lakes Idol competition in 2007 and went on to be a Top 100 finalist on the Canadian Idol TV show.
“Her eponymous CD is a smattering of sparse acoustic folk with Hayden, Dashboard Confessional and a less humorous Murmurs as touchstones.” — The View Magazine, Hamilton ON
UPCOMING SHOWS
Sat May 3 - SALMO, BC Karaoke Night @ Erie Creek Brewing Hosted by Sly Violet 7:30pm
Fri May 9 - TRAIL, BC - Trail Silver City Days - Esplanade Stage 5pm
Sat May 10 - GOLDEN, BC - Rockwater Grill & Bar 8pm
Sat June 14 - CRESTON, BC - Wild North Brewery 6pm
Fri July 11 - ROSSLAND, BC - Rossland Beer Co 5pm
SUMMER TOUR DATES 2025 - Coming Soon!
LATEST PROJECTS:
DARK NOVEMBER - Official Music Video
A song about finding the bright side of life during the dark days of winter. Filmed at Whitewater Ski Resort
Dark November was also featured on the soundtrack for the film, ‘NOTHING’ presented by Level 1 in partnership with Rossignol, 686, and Airhole at 10:14. Skiing. Snowboarding. Powder Surfing. Filmed on location in Hokkaido, Japan & Mt Baker, Washington.
FOREST SONGS
Scenic mountains combine with acoustic music in this 10-episode series on YouTube.
When there was no live shows for awhile, we decided to make music videos instead! Guitar and film gear were carried to the tops of mountains, up chairlifts, down trails, beside rivers, and thru wildflower meadows - all to provide you with these epic views captured throughout the Kootenays, Vancouver Island, and Banff National Park.
Enjoy a breath of fresh air.
We hope you enjoy watching Forest Songs (watch playlist on YouTube)
INTO THE WOODS
Short and Sweet. Highlights of the 2019/2020 season at Mt. Baker, Washington featuring the riding of: Parker White, Duncan Adams, Patrick McCarthy, Matt Wainhouse, and Forest Bailey. Filmed and edited by Freedle Coty.
Features Into The Woods from Sly Violet’s album Friends from far Places
ADORE - Official Music Video
A love song and stop-motion animation video for Adore from the album Friends From Far Places
We collaborated with a local high school student to create this video during the pandemic. Stop-motion animation by YDX in Salmo, BC
EAST COAST TOUR - Live Performance
With the help of a few awesome fans we captured some live footage from shows in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & Newfoundland. BIG thanks to everyone who came to our shows and to all the venues we played at on our 2nd East Coast Tour!
STUCK IN OUR WAYS - Live in Newfoundland
Filmed at the Eastern edge of Canada on the windy cliffs of Twillingate, Newfoundland during Sly Violet's East Coast Tour.
A song written while working a temporary job at a car parts factory - longing for something better and hoping not to get stuck there.
TREES DANCE - Official Music Video
Trees Dance, our first single from Friends From Far Places. Filmed in the beautiful forests of Balsam Lake Provincial Park, Ontario, featuring Violet’s first vehicle - the infamous 1979 VW Bus.
If this video doesn’t put a smile on your face… I mean, check out those dance moves!
ONLINE STORE
SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS
