Wyatt C. Louis returns to Folk Fest after release of debut album

When Wyatt C. Louis last played the Edmonton Folk Music Festival (EFMF) with School of Song in 2022, they had only released “Dancing with Sue” off their eventual debut album. Over the next few years they would remain a familiar face in Alberta’s music scene before finally releasing Chandler in May 2024.

Now Louis has returned to EFMF with their debut, and “it feels kind of like a celebration.”

“Performing here, it feels like home. I feel really comfortable being here.”

“I feel really fortunate that I had that one tune out. It really opened a lot of doors for me”

There was “really no good way” to release “Dancing with Sue,” Louis said. At the time, Louis had not released much music, though they knew they eventually wanted to release an album. Luckily for them, the song was picked up by several radio stations in Canada, receiving significant airplay.

From the beginning, “Dancing with Sue” enchanted people. Four years later the song remains their most popular on Spotify, so clearly nothing has changed. Beyond that, “Dancing with Sue” got people to stick around and wait to see what heartfelt tune Louis would release next.

“I feel really fortunate that I had that one tune out. It really opened a lot of doors for me.”

From their live performances, it’s clear performing is not a chore for Louis. Several years before the album saw the light of day, Louis was already playing songs off of Chandler. A lot of the songs that they played at the 2022 EFMF “were still in the process of making it onto the record,” Louis noted.

While making that record, Louis worked to convey what they love about performing live on Chandler. Now, when Louis performs their songs, they know there’s a chance the people in the audience have heard them before.

“It’s really cool to finally have the record out and have people listen to it before seeing the song live,” Louis said. “I tend to just really surprise myself, really try to make it different.”

“I’m acknowledging my ancestors, my family back home. So when I play these songs it makes me think of them”

With local talents often drawn to Toronto, the Canadian music industry’s epicentre, it feels extra special to watch the ones who chose to stay. From the beginning Louis has remained close to home. Raised in Wetaskiwin, music was a major part of Louis’ life well before they became involved in Alberta’s music scene. 

“I was really so fortunate to have a music program. Lunch hours I would just go play on the piano and just be in the music room,” Louis said. “I felt like it was a safe haven for me all through high school.”

Aside from Louis’ own personal history in Alberta, this is where their family remains. Especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, staying connected was important for Louis. Often, Louis will talk about their father, who taught them guitar, on stage. 

“I feel like he’s there with me when I just acknowledge him. Just the simple acknowledgement of me doing like an introduction, speaking in Cree,” Louis said. “I’m acknowledging my ancestors, my family back home. So when I play these songs it makes me think of them.”