Whitehorse-based funk-pop band Major Funk say they’ll bring a “groove-heavy good time” back to Folk on the Rocks, with one band member also performing solo as Hendrika.
Major Funk, whose music has been described as a unique brand of “Yukon funk,” last played at Folk on the Rocks in 2018 and says they’ve been wanting to come back ever since.
The band’s members come from backgrounds that range from heavy metal to jazz, which they say has helped them to arrive at a specific sound that isn’t matched elsewhere.
Selina Heyligers-Hare, a folk-fusion artist from Whitehorse and member of Major Funk, will also perform solo as Hendrika at Folk.
“My music creates a safe space for people to feel their feelings and feel held and process, as well as have a good time,” Heyligers-Hare told Cabin Radio.
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Hendrika released an EP in the fall of 2024 titled I Can’t Remember. She describes her musical style as heavily influence by a love of classic rock.
“Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, folks like Janis Joplin, but also more 90s – Jeff Buckley is a big influence for me. Musically and vocally, I learned a lot from listening to him,” she said.
Heyligers-Hare grew up in Whitehorse, playing with several bands before joining Major Funk and eventually creating her solo music. Her parents were musicians, too.
“I got to jam with all of these adults that knew what they were doing and taught me everything they knew in their respective genres,” she said.
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“I played in many bands growing up, and had the chance to play pretty big stages as a youth, and had a lot of mentors.
“I was in a dance band throughout high school, and a high school rock band from age 13 onwards. Post high school, I went to music school and then joined the band Major Funk.”
Hendrika will play songs from her EP and some new tunes at this year’s festival.
“I’m trying to get a lot of creative time in right now and do some writing so I can get some more recordings out there. So we’ll be pushing some new tunes as well,” she said.
Elke Sorensen contributed reporting.
