Ella Forrest & The Great Pines - Retrograde EP Release Show w/Zoë James & The Wistful Daydreams, Merv xx Gotti
Aug 15, 2025
Tickets
Friday, August 15th
Ella Forrest & The Great Pines - Retrograde EP Release Show
Zoë James & The Wistful Daydreams
Merv xx Gotti
The Exchange - 2431 8th Ave.
This is an all ages & licensed event
Doors at 7:30pm Music at 8:30pm
Ella Forrest & The Great Pines
Ella Forrest is an emerging artist who has commanded attention since she burst onto the stage in 2022. Her fusion of jazz, funk and disco creates a sonic experience that transports the listener to a bygone era of grooves and melodies, breathing new life into beloved genres while simultaneously forging her own musical identity. Hailing from the prairie city of Regina, Saskatchewan, Ella discovered her passion for music at an early age. Growing up, she experimented with a variety of instruments and musical styles. It was through jazz that Ella fell in love with music in a new way, captivated by the sounds and creative freedom of the genre. Drawing on inspiration from the likes of Corrine Bailey Ray, Silk Sonic, and Earth Wind & Fire, she channels her own experiences and translates them into compositions that resonate with authenticity. Ella seamlessly blends genres, infusing elements of jazz, funk and disco to create her signature sound. With the smoothness of Tom Misch, the groovy basslines of Thundercat, and the timeless appeal of Stevie Wonder, she carves out a unique space in the music world, paying homage to the greats while forging her own path. At live shows, Ella leads a dynamic 6-piece band in soulful, high energy sets. Taking the stage as “Ella Forrest and the Great Pines”, the band combines the rich, melodious tones of the horn section with velvety vocals and groovy rhythms that will get you on your feet.
Zoë James & The Wistful Daydreams
Merv xx Gotti
Merv xx Gotti is an award-winning Asian-Canadian singer-songwriter, best known for his solo indie dream-pop project, Guitar Songs.
His debut release, Guitar Songs EP, released in March 2024 ahead of his 5-show debut at SXSW. The EP’s first single, “Jiujitsu”, was named one of CBC’s Top 100 Canadian Songs of 2024 and received airplay on over 21 CBC stations plus a dozen campus radio stations across Canada and the US, making it the largest syndication pickup of a Saskatchewan song in the past five years.
The EP itself amassed over 500,000 Spotify streams and spent eight consecutive weeks on Earshot’s Top 30 charts.
Merv xx Gotti has toured across North America, performing at premier international showcase festivals such as SXSW, NXNE, M for Montréal, and BreakOut West, as well as sharing the stage stage with Canadian icons such as Chantal Kreviazuk, Great Lake Swimmers, and Big Sugar.
He is currently preparing for his follow-up EP release in anticipation of his showcase at SXSW 2025.
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About the Exchange
The Exchange is wheelchair accessible and offers 2 non-gender/wheelchair-accessible washrooms.
The Exchange is an all-ages venue that supports the Safer Spaces Initiative. We do not tolerate any form of harassment, abusive and/or discriminative behaviour. Such behaviour is grounds for immediate removal from the event/venue. If you are experiencing any harassment please ask to speak to a manager.
Ticket price plus taxes and fees - lineups subject to change - no refunds or exchanges