Friday Night Sessions
Spring Songwriter Series — First Round
Friday, March 27 | 8:00 PM
Doors open at 7:00 PM
Pay What You Can (suggested $15)
The Bunker Performance Lounge & Cafe
104 Wellington Street, Stratford
The Spring Songwriter Series begins with the first of three intimate Friday Night Sessions celebrating original music and the stories behind it. In true songwriter-in-the-round style, three artists will share the stage, taking turns performing and offering insight into their craft in The Bunker’s listening-room setting.
Opening the series is Max Smith, one of Canada’s most exciting new country artists — a natural storyteller with a gritty, soulful voice and a deep connection to the music he creates. Drawing inspiration from modern stars such as Luke Combs, Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, and Uncle Lucius, Max brings a grounded, emotionally honest sound to both his writing and performances. His musical influences run wide, mixing country roots with the raw intensity of rock bands like AC/DC and Limp Bizkit, giving him a distinct tone that resonates with a broad audience. In 2025, Max’s talent was recognized on a major stage when he earned Runner-Up in the Emerging Artist Showcase at Lucknow’s Music in the Fields, one of Canada’s premier country music events. He has also shared the stage with major Canadian acts, including Jade Eagleson, Washboard Union, and Stephen Lee Olsen, showcasing his ability to hold his own among the industry’s best.
Joining him is Rachael Frankruyter, a folk singer-songwriter from Stratford, Ontario, Canada. Frankruyter pairs her soft and sweet vocals with honest storytelling. She has just released her FACTOR funded EP ‘Time Will Tell’, which features Rachael’s evocative lyricism with warm instrumentation. Having performed across Canada as part of her duo project York Street Thought Process, including the highly esteemed Mariposa Folk Festival and Winnipeg Folk Festival, Rachael also performs as the keys player in Chasing Records.
Rounding out the evening is Mark Martyre, a Canadian writer and musician who released six full-length studio albums between 2012 and 2019. Touring across Canada and into Europe, his work has earned national and international attention, along with “Best Songwriter” and “Album of the Year” nominations. In addition to his recording career, Mark composed and performed music for the 2018 play That Moment When, and his poetry has appeared in various journals and magazines—reflecting a creative voice that extends beyond the stage.
Together, these three songwriters launch the Spring Series with an evening focused on strong writing, shared stories, and the kind of attentive atmosphere The Bunker is known for.
We encourage guests to reserve their seats in advance using the Seat Reservation link to guarantee a spot. Admission remains Pay What You Can (suggested $15), with contributions collected in the lounge on the night of the show.
At The Bunker, we’re proud that the majority of ticket revenue goes directly to the artists. To support our mission and keep the music going, a minimum $10 purchase per person from our menu is required during ticketed shows.
With limited seating, we kindly ask all ticket holders to arrive no later than 15 minutes before showtime to ensure your spot. Reserved seating may be released 15 minutes after the show begins. If seats are no longer available, refunds may be issued in person. Please note: no refunds are issued for no-shows.
