Ross Fizzard‘s website describes the Albertan singer-songwriter as a “student of duality,” a truly apt label for the man and his work.
As he prepares for his performance at Edmonton’s Down By The River Festival on September 20, Fizzard is carving out his own path with equal parts down-home songwriting and streaming-era success.
On one hand, Fizzard is living out a modern music success story, leveraging digital popularity into a successful touring career alongside Cameron Whitcomb, Boy Golden, Noeline Hofmann, and other Canadian roots standouts.
On the other, he carries himself more like a soft-spoken outdoorsman than an influencer. Seeing him in his element, you’d never guess that TikTok and YouTube Shorts helped propel his music to prominence in the Alberta folk community.
“I grew up in Fort McMurray, right across the street from the wilderness,” Fizzard recalls. “My whole life, I’ve always been going out there and fishing, driving quads, hanging out there.”
Fizzard’s music is a rustic blend of country, roots, and classic rock, sprinkled with illustrative wit and the storyteller’s sense heard in Bob Dylan, Corb Lund, and John Prine.
Although his songs are steeped in Albertan folk tradition, Fizzard cut his songwriting teeth in Montreal, writing and performing as one half of the folk duo The Gardeners with Dale Ross. Now residing in Calgary, Fizzard seems content writing and performing closer to his natural habitat.
“It feels great [to be back in Alberta],” he says. “It’s so nice to be close to the mountains and go out camping all the time.”
Like many artists looking for traction in the age of streaming, Fizzard has only released singles so far, a strategy that can please audiences and algorithms alike. That said, he’s quick to light up when asked about his upcoming debut full-length, due out next year.
“I’m gathering a team together right now, [finding] the right people,” Fizzard says. “I’m very excited about that.”
According to Fizzard, his set at Down By The River will consist of songs from the upcoming record, a few singles (likely including TikTok sensation “I Don’t Know”), and even some tunes from his time with The Gardeners. When pressed, however, the ever-humble Fizzard seems more eager to talk about the other acts on the festival bill.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Vincent Neil Emerson. He’s one of my favourite songwriters these days,” Fizzard says. “Looking forward to the Denim Daddies. They’re backing me for my set, but they also have their own set on Saturday.”
For all the momentum the internet has brought him, Ross Fizzard’s songs remain firmly grounded in reality and folk music tradition. As he heads to Down By The River and toward his debut album, that balance might prove to be his greatest strength.
Learn more about Ross Fizzard and the rest of the Down By The River lineup here.
Listen to Ross Fizzard’s “I Don’t Know”: