Kalos and Whiskey Jack

Kalos Live in the Green Sanderson Hall at Hugh's Room, 296 Broadview Avenue
Show at 8pm, Doors at 7pm
$35+ in advance, $42+at the door

Kalos is drawn to water. Every performance is like stepping into a river—they never play a song the same way twice. They make music inspired by the maritime traditions of Scotland, Ireland, Scandinavia and North America. Their album titles—Harbour and Headland—honor the meeting point between the land and sea and they sing songs about shorelines, seafarers and drownings. They revel in the driving danceability of Irish tunes, but also take inspiration from the pastoral melodies and naturalistic metaphors of Scottish music. But while the music they write is forged in tradition, it is nonetheless cast and tempered in new and unexpected ways.

 The trio spans three generations, three cities and two countries. Ryan McKasson (violin, viola, voice), Eric McDonald (guitar, mandolin, voice) and Jeremiah McLane (accordion, piano, voice) met over the years at highland games, contra dances and fiddle camps across North America. They made their first recording in 2016 and have been touring together since 2019. Kalos prizes the magic of live performance—breathing, dancing and weaving together like high-wire acrobats. They are as generous as they are virtuosic. Like nature itself, their music is full of chaos and chance yet always feels spacious and balanced. Their concerts are more an exposé than a performance—they are immersive, trance-inducing experiences.

Whiskey Jack

For 48 years, Whiskey Jack has been showcasing their Canadian music and humour, first on their “Ol’ Back Porch” comedy segment on the CBC’s Tommy Hunter Show, followed by decades performing and recording with Captain Canada himself, Stompin’ Tom Connors.
Their many albums, videos and TV appearances have featured hit songs, the most recent being a 2025 Douglas John Cameron original, “O-L-D”, a crowd pleaser that speaks directly to the Hugh’s Room Live audience.

As long time disciples of the Stompin’ Tom Connors catalogue of patriotic songs, they’ve taken up the mantle of Canadian sovereignty to loudly and proudly sing the first song they recorded with Stompin’ Tom in 1992, “Believe In Your Country”.
Band leader Duncan Fremlin remembers that day in the studio, banjo in hand, hearing that famous line for the first time…”if you don’t believe your country should come before yourself, you can better serve your country by living somewhere else”. Says Duncan, that line will guide us until the threat of Canada’s very existence is behind us.”

The one constant that has fuelled their success is what brings the crowds to their feet each night - a polished show exuding playfulness, professionalism and humour. Since day 1, band leader Duncan Fremlin has been welcoming elite members of the Canadian music community to the Whiskey Jack family.
He’s joined by Douglas John Cameron, a name recognized across Canada for his two Juno nominations, one for the 1985 hit, Mona With The Children (True North Records) and one for Ants in Your Pants (Treehouse TV). His theatrical and dynamic approach to performing, coupled with his talents on many instruments, bring an endless supply of energy to this already dynamic band.

Whiskey Jack in 2025 continues to write, record and tour across the country. Their new album, Do It Again, is now available on all platforms.
Whiskey Jack shows begin on time and they are never too loud.

 296 Broadview is not yet a fully wheelchair accessible venue, with stairs between all levels. Our goal is to fix that, and we need your support to do so - please consider making a donation towards our goals to make HRL the best listening room in Toronto!