Decimate Metalfest Q&A: Famous Strangers

1 day ago
9 min read

For two days in late June, the Millet Agriplex Arena transformed into a full-scale haven for heavy music fans. But on Saturday night, all eyes locked in on one of Alberta’s rising acts: Famous Strangers.

Taking the stage on June 27 just south of Edmonton, the Sherwood Park-based band delivered a performance that stood out in a weekend already packed with intensity. Famous Strangers carved out space with a darker, more melodic approach.

Famous Strangers is a heavy metal band from Sherwood Park, Alberta.

Rooted in the classics of the genre while still bringing music for the modern ear. Together, the band brings together four veterans of the Alberta music scene with over 20 years of collective experience.

Black-and-white graphic with FAMOUS STRANGERS text and an abstract smoky figure in the lower right on a white background.

Decimate Metalfest Q&A: Famous Strangers

Below is an interview with Switching Styles and Famous Strangers, Amanda Kiernan (lead vocals) and Jeff Kittlitz (guitar), discussing their band, music, and the Canadian Decimate Metalfest hosted in July 2026. The band consists of Amanda Kiernan (lead vocals), Jeff Kittlitz (guitar/backing vocals), Braden Sustrik (bass), and Brian "Beej" Jolly (drums/backing vocals).

How would you describe Decimate Festival to someone who's never heard of it?

It's held in Millet, Alberta, at the Agriplex arena, and it's a small town, big energy kind of event. Decimate is a festival that welcomes all ages, all genders, all types of humans. It's run by Sloan Voxx, who is a truly incredible person, never mind singer, musician, festival promoter, scene supporter, all of the above. Her band is Syryn.

There's a type of metal and music for everybody here. It's a hard rock and metal festival, not country or EDM, so if you like the mosh pit and that sort of thing, this is the festival for you. And there's lots to do. Good food, face painting, massage therapists, cool vendors. There's something for everyone. Even if you arrive not into metal, I guarantee you will find something you love about this festival.

What does it mean for the festival to remain all-ages in today's metal scene?

It's the most important thing. We have to keep the next generation in the know. That's how new bands start, that's how kids get inspired to want to be in bands. You can already see it, all-ages shows producing all these new young bands who are just killing it, kicking ass. These festivals are really important so that those young bands can play, or even just attend and get inspired.

What role do community and local partnerships play in bringing Decimate to life each year?

It's everything. When people wake up after the first night and go looking for a coffee, a good breakfast, a sandwich, the community supports that. There are great places that welcome everyone. I think when everybody works together, it's a win for everybody. The town has been really open and understanding of what Sloan and Decimate are doing, and fully supportive of it. Unity is always stronger than separation.

And it's word of mouth too, because people from the town get to enjoy the festival as well. That's what makes these small town festivals so special. Just look at Loud as Hell in Drumheller, or Armstrong, BC, these events bring people in, they bring tourism and money into the community. The towns would be silly not to support it.

What value do festivals provide that streaming music and social media can't?

Everything. Social media helps, absolutely, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears from everybody, not just the bands but the promoters, the venues, the fans, goes into building that online presence. But that's the whole point of a concert: you go out to a show ,and you experience it. Everybody in one space, one love, one energy. The value of that is unmatchable to anything.

Like, you're not watching something on your phone or your TV. Nowadays everybody still has their phone out recording the show, sure, but you're in it. There's something about live energy that no technology will ever replace. We're fortunate that it helps us in some ways, but it will never replace that live feeling, that love, that unity that happens in a room full of people who came for the same reason. You never come home from a show saying, that was awful." You always come home glad you did it.

What makes a festival performance unique compared to a standalone show?

Festivals are my favorite, because it's the only time that you, as a musician, actually get to see all the other bands. People you've played with, people you know about, friends in other bands. It's the one place where everyone comes together and actually hangs out, because most of the time schedules are different and you don't get to tour with a lot of your friends. Even if you do, it's usually a one-off show.

At a festival, not just the fans but the bands all come together. You get to hang out with each other, watch each other up on stage, party together all night, and meet your people, and I don't like to call them fans, I call them friends, and party with them all fucking weekend. A one-off show is great for connecting, but it happens so fast, and then everybody goes home.

At a festival , you're in it. You build great memories, lifelong friends. It's like being on the road with somebody. The relationship that develops is like nothing else. It's really special.

How do festivals help build a sense of community among metal fans?

When you go to a festival, especially these smaller ones, the small town ones, the fans actually get to hang out with the bands. Like, hang out with all the bands. Of course there are VIP areas sometimes, but usually most bands are out in the field with everybody. It's a really cool opportunity to meet up with your favorite band, spend some real time with them. It brings people together, and it grows the metal family.

The metal community is massive, and it's worldwide. These festivals help with exposure, for the bands and the fans and the friendships. It's a scene that takes care of itself when you give it the right space to do that.

What opportunities does the festival create for artists beyond performing?

It's great exposure, first of all. You never know who's going to show up to that festival who's never seen you before. You get new fans, new experiences. A festival experience as a performer is much different than a one-off bar show. There's a certain energy and a certain level of musicianship that comes with it.

You get to know your own band better. You get to know other bands better. You get to engage with fans, sell merch, check out vendors. There's always a band or a vendor you've never heard of that you'll discover at a festival. Beyond just playing, it creates so much more opportunity. It's pretty neat.

What are some of the biggest challenges facing independent music festivals today?

Keeping in budget and selling tickets at a price people will actually show up for, while still not losing money. Everything is just so challenging right now. The market value of anything in entertainment, especially for smaller and newer festivals, is brutal. I've heard people say, and read it in multiple places, that most festivals lose money in their first three to five years. It takes that long to build. And I don't doubt it, seeing all the work that goes into it and knowing what production actually costs. It ain't easy. The fact that they can do it at all is something.

And another challenge worth adding is finding dependable bands, and knowing what to do when bands drop off. Travel issues, personal issues, anything can happen. You need to have a Plan A, B, and C for all of it. Keeping people fed and watered and safe, providing real security, creating a safe space for everyone, that's another layer that people don't think about. It's a lot. People don't realize what it actually takes to put on a festival.

What changes have you seen in the festival scene in general since the pandemic?

I feel like a lot of people don't want to leave their house anymore, which is understandable. So even getting people out to a hometown show is like pulling teeth now. And on top of that, everything's so expensive. Everything. The world just isn't the same. It's almost like we hopped into a different dimension after the pandemic. Getting people together and getting them to come out is hard.

But one of the good things is that we appreciate it more. I'll never forget Loud as Hell when festivals opened back up. That first year back, everybody was on a tear. I think we almost felt like it was the end of the world before that, so when it came back, it was like a release. Everybody was trauma bonding and partying like it was the last night on earth. It was a wild, wild time. But that's what it does. It makes you live in the moment. And we're pushing through. We're still here.

What misconceptions do people sometimes have about music festivals?

I think logistics can throw people off. Set times, who's playing when, where to go for drink tickets versus what wristband you need for which area. That stuff can get confusing, and it's hard to communicate all of it to everyone at once. That's the question I get asked most: what time are they on? So I think making sure people know where to find that information would go a long way.

And on the experience side, you definitely have to make your own fun, because weather gets in the way and you can't predict anything. Be prepared because a big windstorm, rain, snow, whatever, it can happen. Going from a hot afternoon to a freezing cold night is real. On social media it all looks fabulous, and it is fabulous, it's worth every bit of it. But when I went to Shambhala, we slept overnight in the lineup in the heat and the cold. It's not luxurious. It's kind of like a travel day when you're traveling: challenging in the moment, but you're always glad you did it.

What do you hope attendees take away from this year's festival?

I hope Decimate keeps going, because they have worked their asses off each year to make this happen. I hope it grows the way I've watched other festivals grow from small beginnings into something bigger and bigger each year. I hope attendees bring all their friends and talk about how much fun they had.

I have a good friend coming to their very first festival ever, and I'm so excited for them. You never know quite what to expect your first time, but I hope everyone leaves with their cup overflowing. That's what music is supposed to do. I hope it hypes them up, gets them ready for the next one, and makes them book more trips and attend more festivals. I just hope it does all the good.

What does success look like for you for Decimate Metalfest in 2026?

We're just happy to play. We're happy to be there. The fact that we get to play direct support on the Saturday night, right before Riot City, is an honor. I love those guys. That slot means something. It makes me really proud of what we've done and where we're going. Just wait, 2026 has a lot of great things coming for Famous Strangers.

And success for me is simple: if I can make one person smile out in that crowd, that's everything. We just want to spread love. If one person comes up after and says, that was amazing, you made me feel good, that's all we ever want to do.

Is there something you wanted to share that I didn't ask?

To everyone out there: look around and find as many festivals as you can, however small or big they might be. The smaller ones are often more intimate and special. The big ones are epic, of course. But support your local bands, support your local festivals. It's always a good time.

I know it can sound scary, especially now with social anxiety being so real for a lot of people, but find your nook. If you need to take a break, go to your tent and reset. Go for a little nature walk. You're not stuck on the grounds. Find your local festivals, or go on a trip and find them. Big or small, go attend them. Support the bands, support the vendors, because there was a lot of time, money, and planning that went into every single one of these events. The only way they continue to grow is yby ou showing up.

Get out there this summer, even just for a day pass. Explore and see what happens. It doesn't have to be a metal festival. There's so much cool stuff out there to experience. If you actually look up what's going on around you, or even outside your city, or outside the country, the world opens up. Get out of the house. Get into the fucking nature with your people, or even go alone if you have to. Festivals are a great place to connect and feel the energy. That's where life is.