HeSA国际影视传媒檚 already a rising star in YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 music community, and now heSA国际影视传媒檚 about to make a splash at the citySA国际影视传媒檚 premiere music festival.

Munya Mataruse will be performing on the main stage at Folk on the Rocks (FOTR) on the last day of festivities: Sunday, July 17.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a big leap from the more intimate shows heSA国际影视传媒檚 been playing since arriving in Canada.

SA国际影视传媒淚 would say this is one of the biggest events ISA国际影视传媒檓 going to play,SA国际影视传媒� he says.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Mataruse moved to Yellowknife in 2020 to find work amid the economic downturn of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the music scene was dormant at the time, once he was able to perform again, his popularity in the community quickly took off.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was really, really surprised, to see how people were responding to my music,SA国际影视传媒� he says.

Musically, Mataruse creates a fusion of traditional and contemporary, African and Western. Rooted in Shangara and other styles from his native Zimbabwe, his music incorporates elements of jazz and other Western influences into a unique style. His music features the mbira, a traditional handheld Zimbabwean instrument featuring metal tines that are plucked with the fingers. Because this instrument is limited to only a couple of keys, Mataruse also uses the guitar to expand his horizons.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 just trying to focus and target a bigger audience,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 want it to be 100 per cent African; I donSA国际影视传媒檛 want it to be 100 per cent Western. I want it to be in between so that I can cater to a big market.SA国际影视传媒�

Mataruse got his shot at the main stage when he performed at the Folk on the Rocks Main Stage Showdown in June. Despite the fierce competition, the panel of judges was swayed by his performance and his interaction with the crowd.

SA国际影视传媒淭he competition was really tough. There were some good musicians,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淎nd I was like, SA国际影视传媒極h, weSA国际影视传媒檒l just see whatSA国际影视传媒檚 gonna happen.SA国际影视传媒� But I wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 expecting to win. And I won.SA国际影视传媒�

For his main stage performance, Mataruse says heSA国际影视传媒檒l be making use of his trademark audience interaction.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not the kind of musician who goes on stage and when they do their performance, they donSA国际影视传媒檛 even communicate with the crowd,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淢y kind of style is I engage the crowd. And I know several people that have been buying tickets, because they really want my style, so theySA国际影视传媒檙e expecting it. So ISA国际影视传媒檓 going to continue doing the same style. I think this is kind of my niche.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is actually a perfect opportunity for me to market myself out there, so ISA国际影视传媒檓 really happy.SA国际影视传媒�

Tickets and a complete setlist are available on the FOTR website at www.folkontherocks.com.