VANCAMP is the musical project of Calvin Bakelaar, a Peterborough-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose raw, heartfelt style has earned him the 2024 Peterborough Folk Festival Emerging Artist Award. His music—rooted in indie folk with a dash of modern country—often comes to life in the quiet spaces of small-town life. Many of Calvin’s songs find their start on his worn guitar in his home studio or during reflective moments on the road. His debut album, Diner Coffee is an exploration of the complex beauty and grit of rural Ontario, building on the sounds of his 2023 EP Camper Van and 2022 EP 523.

Over the years, VANCAMP has crafted songs that connect—like “November,” an award-winning track capturing the ache of heartbreak in friendship, and “This Old Town”, a nostalgic anthem that reflects on the personal struggles of growing up in a small town. With his authentic, lived-in sound, VANCAMP has connected with audiences through live shows and heartfelt storytelling, creating spaces for listeners to reflect and connect with music that feels as genuine as it is introspective while supporting artists like Wild Rivers and Mariel Buckley.