Kelowna's Winter Arts and Music Festival is returning for its 9th year on February 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Fireside Festival will consist of three events hosted over three days and will feature over 30 Canadian-based artists and performers. Designed to bring colour to the grey Okanagan winter, each day is packed with an eclectic mix of performers - and we're hyped to attend. But first, we chat with Founder and Creative Director Aaron DeSilva about the festival, his memorable moments, and some of the artists in this year's lineup.

Please introduce yourself! Who are you and what are you up to alongside the Fireside Festival?

My name’s Aaron DeSilva and I’ve been in Kelowna for about 12 years. I originally moved here to be a part of a Funk Folk Rock band called Wild Son.

I’m also a musician, DJ, photographer and videographer.

Where did the idea for the Fireside Festival come from?

In our first year in Kelowna, we moved into a beautiful home in Upper Mission and came up with the idea to host a Sunday Party at our place. I've been organizing parties since high school, and our plan was to invite all the other local bands that we liked but could never connect with because everyone was always busy gigging. The party turned out to be a great success, and everyone had an amazing time.

The following year, we opened it up and sold some tickets. The year after that, we expanded into BNA Brewing because we wanted to grow it but still maintain the house party feel. Since then, I've gotten more and more creatives involved and grown it into a three-day festival.

Around the 3rd or 4th year, it became our dream to organize a proper outdoor winter festival. It had always been on my mind, but it never came to fruition because there wasn't the right place to do it. When Red Bird opened and constructed their outdoor music venue, it became the perfect place to complement the existing show at BNA.

This will be Fireside Festival's 9th year! Can you tell us about some standout moments from the past 8 years?

Yeah, the team that has been with us since the start and the team that has been added along the way is so much fun. We have a really good time planning, and the actual festival days are the best. They are probably the best three days of the year.

Also, securing names like Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Moontricks, and all these highly favoured BC/Canadian artists to perform at our small house party (that's how I still see it)- a rootsy local event is really memorable. I also think it's cool to witness the collaborations and connections formed between the local artists and the touring artists.

Some of the most notable moments for me are watching the bands that I regularly watch throughout the year locally, coming out with amazing performances or collaborating with other local musicians to create something special. In 2020, Andrew Judah's set was one of those performances where everyone in attendance had their jaws on the floor the entire time. Not a single word was spoken; it was the most captivated audience I've seen.

The same goes for when Leila Neverland played in 2019. It was one of the best sets I’ve ever seen. She had the entire room at BNA swinging back and forth with linked arms. She conducted the whole room of 500 people.

When you have a whole room of people listening, all connected to this one source of entertainment at the same moment, that, to me, is the most successful type of event.

What is your favourite music venue in the Okanagan?

Well, it depends on whether it is indoors or outdoors. Although I wouldn’t call it a music venue, when BNA is a music venue, they are definitely the best indoor spot because of the way that the room is organized, and the sound and vibe in there. It has such good energy to begin with.

Red Bird, is the best for outdoors. I mean, they built their business around live music and you can tell that the intention was there. I’ve attended multiple shows there and the way they pull it off is just so good.

I feel fortunate to have been welcomed into both of these music venues in Kelowna.

Which act in this year's festival most represents the roots of the Fireside Festival? And, which one embodies the growth over the past nine years?

Moontricks is a great example of what Fireside embodies. They're chill, kind of indie, and their music has bass influence, so it really feels like Sunday sunset music to me which was the original concept of the Sunday Day Party. It’s all about good vibes, uplifting tunes, and everyone smiling and feeling good. They totally encompass the Fireside ethos.

Whereas, Snotty Nose Rez Kids represent more of what we're growing into. They bring a more hype party, more urban, and culture-focused vibe. They are the party element, which is the pinnacle of Fireside's Saturday evening. This addition is where we aim to grow while also staying true to our roots.

What are you listening to these days and what was the last concert you went to?

Electronic, hip hop, ambient, lo-fi, reggae, it really depends on my mood. The last show I went to was Stickybuds at Distrikt- he’ll be at Fireside next year (I hope).

There are limited tickets remaining for this year’s Fireside Festival. You can purchase single or three-day passes here. See you there!

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