Geneviève Heistek

Classically trained violist Geneviève Heistek has been an active contributor to Montreal’s independent music community for over 25 years, working across rock, jazz, and experimental genres.

Heistek is best known for her work in Hanged Up, an avant-folk-metal duo formed with drummer Eric Craven. The project released three albums on Constellation Records, including Transit of Venus (2012)—a collaboration with minimalist pioneer Tony Conrad that was named one of SPIN Magazine’s top 10 avant-garde records of that year.

Her collaborative history includes co-founding the post-folk group Sackville, the Mile End Ladies’ String Auxiliary (MELSA), and the ambient post-rock collective Set Fire to Flames. She has performed alongside artists such as violinist Warren Ellis and Patti Smith, and contributed improvisational work to the soundtrack of the Oscar-nominated NFB film Madame Tutli-Putli. She has toured extensively, and performed at international festivals including Roskilde, All Tomorrow’s Parties, and the Festival International de Musique Actuelle de Victoriaville. 

Currently, Heistek is a long-standing member of Sam Shalabi’s avant-Egyptian big band, Land of Kush, appearing on multiple releases including The Big Mango and Sand Enigma. Recent projects include performing alongside Shalabi and composer Isak Goldsneider in Shaista Latif’s multi-media production Like an Eagle. She debuted a section of her new solo project for viola, voice and live loops at Drone Fest 2026.

Jesse Eckerlin

Jesse Eckerlin is a guitar player and writer based in so-called Montreal. He released his debut album Promissory Note in winter 2026. Upon release, it was a Bandcamp bestseller in acoustic, instrumental, fingerstyle, and American Primitive guitar for several months. He curates concerts and releases zines and cassettes with Negative Capabilities.