Yellowknife (Jul 07/06) - Like a rising fever, Folk on the Rocks is creeping up on us.

The first real symptom? Rock the Folks posters plastered about the city, advertising a diverse and eclectic list of young bands. On Thursday, July 13, each will vie for a shot at the Sunday stage of one of the North's biggest music festivals.

This year's lineup includes Couch of Thieves, My First Kill, Kimberlite Pipes, Drowning Julie, Pandora's Bliss, Westervert, Floppy Disk Drive and last year's winners, The Greasy Twigs.

Co-organizer Rachel MacNeill said she was excited about the range of sounds on display this year - from blues to metal to punk - as well as an increase in women playing fronting bands such as Pandora's Bliss and Kimberlite Pipes. "It's diversifying," she said.

"That's what we're going for, being open to kids of all talents."

"It's good to see some diversity in the local scene," said bassist Les Girrior, from metal band Floppy Disk Drive.

Entering his second Rock the Folks competition, he said he was excited to see both Kimberlite Pipes and Pandora's Bliss.

"Her vocals were amazing," he said of the Julie Hintz's (Pandora's Bliss) singing during the June auditions.

Kimberlite Pipes member/vocalist Carmen Braden is a newcomer this year. At 20, she estimates she has been to 18 Folk on the Rocks Festivals, and has volunteered for the last six or seven years.

Braden's instrument of choice is the Chapman stick, a 10-string "piano, guitar and bass mashed together." With bassist Dennis Sienens and drummer Caleb Harrison, she said the band plays "funkified folk-fusion."

The instrument was given to her by her uncle, local bass mainstay Pat Braden.

A piano student at Acadia University in Nova Scotia, Carmen said her take on the instrument differs from her uncle's.

"I'm starting to hear a lot more piano playing in mine. It's pretty natural."

Carmen was clearly excited about the chance to take the stage at the FOTR grounds, though with an edge of realism.

"(If we don't win) we'll have had a chance to play with a lot of young bands in Yellowknife - which is rare - and we get to try again next year."

MacNeill emphasized the show would have a little something for audience members of all ages.

"It's a high level of skill that's being displayed here," she said. "It's going to be a really good show for any kind of musical taste."

Rock the Folks kicks off Thursday, July 13 at 8 p.m. at the FOTR grounds (with Northern United Place as a bad-weather backup).

The 26th annual Folk on the Rocks Music Festival runs from July 14-16 this year, beginning with Warm the Rocks, taking place at venues around the city and closing out two full days of music at the FOTR grounds.