Peterborough-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tristan Konkle is the latest recipient of the annual Emerging Artist of the Year Award from the Peterborough Folk Festival, which was announced at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre in downtown Peterborough last Thursday (March 12).
Best known as part of the synth-pop and alt-rock duo Tapes In Motion along with Colby McAllister, which performed at last year’s Peterborough Folk Festival, Konkle is releasing music under his own name for the first time.
The Emerging Artist of the Year Award, first presented in 2001 to Serena Ryder, recognizes promising local artists and provides meaningful opportunities that help them grow their careers while strengthening the community’s vibrant music scene.
“I’m so excited for Tristan to be a part of an amazing group of emerging artists who over the past 25 years have contributed so much to our community,” says Peterborough Folk Festival artistic director Ryan Kemp in a media release. “I encourage everyone in our community to support artists like Tristan by going to their shows, buying their merch, and sharing their music with others. This award has organically evolved into a family of artists who support one another, which is truly the spirit of the festival.”
Since picking up a guitar at the age of 12, Konkle has built his catalogue of songs through years of songwriting and live performances at hometown venues such as Jethro’s Bar + Stage, Sadleir House, and the Pig’s Ear Tavern.
As well as being a performer, Konkle has also been an active studio collaborator within the Peterborough music community. In 2025, he produced several songs for indie-folk musician Calvin Bakelaar (aka VANCAMP), who was the recipient of the 2024 Emerging Artist Award, and also co-produced a full-length album for Edmonton songwriter Ellie Heath alongside Canadian producer Hawksley Workman, scheduled for release later this year.
VIDEO: “Killing Time” – Tristan Konkle
In his own music, Konkle blends modern indie pop with vintage influences like The Beatles. He released his first self-produced single, “Killing Time,” in January.
The winner of the Emerging Artist Award is selected by a committee who assess applicants on skill, dedication to a musical career, and artistic merit. Award recipients are given showcase performance spots at the festival and receive a trip to the Folk Music Ontario Conference, where they have the opportunity to interact with many people from the music industry including artistic directors, agents, promoters, and other musicians.
Starting in 2025, the Peterborough Musicians Benevolent Association (PMBA) began supplementing the award with the $1,000 PMBA Lynn Morris Memorial Award — named in honour of the passionate local music supporter who gifted $50,000 to the PMBA just before she passed away from cancer last February — and Electric Alchemy Recording Studio began providing the recipient with recording and production of a single.
Here’s the full list of recipients of the Emerging Artist Award (no award was given in 2020 due to the pandemic):
- 2026 – Tristan Konkle
- 2025 – Jeanne Truax
- 2024 – Calvin Bakelaar (aka VANCAMP)
- 2023 – Irish Millie & Nicholas Campbell
- 2022 – Nathan Truax
- 2021 – Lauryn Macfarlane
- 2019 – Paper Shakers
- 2018 – Hillary Dumoulin
- 2017 – Mary-Kate Edwards
- 2016 – Nick Procyshyn
- 2015 – Evangeline Gentle
- 2014 – The Lonely Parade
- 2013 – Dylan Ireland
- 2012 – Jos Fortin
- 2011 – Melissa Payne
- 2010 – Kate LeDeuce
- 2009 – Missy Knott
- 2008 – Sean Conway
- 2007 – Dave Simard & Kelly McMichael
- 2006 – Drea Nasager
- 2005 – Benj Rowland
- 2004 – Beau Dixon
- 2003 – Jill Staveley
- 2002 – James McKenty
- 2001 – Serena Ryder
