BIO
Sly Violet features husband-and-wife duo, Sly Boston and Violet Clarke from Salmo, BC. Their music blends modern folk, rock, and pop influences. Featuring heartfelt lyrics, acoustic guitar, pocket drum beats, and harmonica melodies. They're currently working on recording their new 'Darkwoods' EP with support from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, Columbia Basin Trust, and Salmo District Arts Council. Violet will be playing a solo tour in summer and fall 2026, sharing this new set of songs in venues throughout the interior of BC.
“This is some up beat folk ‘tunage’ best described as ‘modern folk.’ In Violet’s voice I hear the confidence of a seasoned performer” — Colin Lock, Fernie Free Press
Sly Violet’s performances are lively, upbeat, and captivating. Lyrically, their songwriting chronicles their journey of overcoming life's challenges, from hard times to good, finding solace in nature, and celebrating their enduring love together. Violet sings with such intensity and raw emotion that listeners are often drawn into her world. Sly's pocket drum beats compliment the acoustic guitar rhythms, at times making you want to dance. After hundreds of shows across Canada, this seasoned folk rock duo understands the art of creating an immersive live experience for listeners.
“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.
“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
In recent years, Sly Violet has continued to create and perform. They produced a YouTube series titled "Forest Songs," where they filmed 10 music videos in various scenic locations throughout the Kootenays, Vancouver Island, and Banff National Park. Additionally, their song "Dark November" was featured in the snowboarding film "Level 1 Presents "NOTHING," highlighting their ongoing involvement in both music and the outdoor community. They'll be releasing their new 'Darkwoods' EP in 2026, followed by a western Canada tour promoting the new songs.
UPCOMING SHOWS & EVENTS
Sun March 8 - SALMO | Women’s Day Event - Solo Acoustic Performance @ Arts Church 4pm*
Sat March 28 - SALMO | Karaoke Night ‘Pop Divas & Boy Bands/Girl Bands’ @ Erie Creek Brewing 7:30pm**
Sat April 25 - SALMO | Karaoke Night ‘80’s Beach Party’ @ Erie Creek Brewing 7:30pm**
Sat May 30 - SALMO | Karaoke Night ‘Rockstars & Classic Rock’ @ Erie Creek Brewing 7:30pm**
Sat June 13 - SALMO | Salmo’s Got Talent! Round 1 @ Erie Creek Brewing 7pm**
Fri June 26 - ROSSLAND | Rossland Beer Co 4:30pm*
Sat June 27 - SALMO | Salmo’s Got Talent! Round 2 @ Erie Creek Brewing 7pm**
Sat July 11 - SALMO | Salmo’s Got Talent! Grand Finale @ Erie Creek Brewing 7pm**
Sat Aug 8 - CRESTON | Wild North Brewery 6pm*
*Live concert
**Other music events hosted by Violet
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!
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY
