Last year at about this time, Bedouin Soundclash were on the road with the Vans Warped Tour.

For two months, they lived within a "self-contained universe," not knowing what was going on in the outside world.

Not knowing their lives were about to change.

"Our single (When the Night Feels My Song) was picked up while we were on that tour ... and then we found out the BBC picked it up as well," says Bedouin drummer Pat Pengelly.

Now, a year -- and three U.K. tours -- later, the boys are trading in punk for paisley, as they play the Calgary Folk Festival's main stage tomorrow night.

"We've literally been touring for the last year-and-a-half," he says. "And we've made a lot of progress ... it's really satisfying ... it's nice to see there's a purpose behind it."

Though the three guys from Kingston, Ont. -- who sound as if they grew up in Kingston, Jamaica -- are taking their new mainstream success in stride, they are sure to keep the grassroots stronghold.

Returning from a brief tour with one of their heroes, Ben Harper, Pengelly says it was amazing to see a true professional in action.

"He's still around, and at a huge level, and he doesn't need to get mass-media attention. It doesn't have anything to do with how his single is doing ... It's based on his integrity."

Something Soundclash aspires to.

"Just to keep inspiring people like that ... that would be a great career goal," he says.

"As long as there's a fire there ... we just want to get the music out to people."

But it's another hero of Pengelly's that has his anticipation levels reaching critical mass as of late. While in town, the band will prime the stage for songbird Macy Gray, who headlines tomorrow night at Prince's Island Park.

"I can't wait to see her live ... I think she just has an amazing voice," says Pengelly.

It is this "mash up" of artists he and the Bedouin boys love about folk festivals.

From playing with Steve Earle, to heating up an Edmonton stage for Waylon Jennings, the range of talent is always inspiring.

"It brings out such a mixed crowd ... and they are all very open-minded ... these different styles help us grow," says Pengelly.

Though they've been living on the road since their last album dropped -- 2005's Sounding A Mosaic -- the boys have managed to find time to get almost a complete new album's worth of songs recorded.

Top that off with a reggae album backing Vernon Maytone and a track about to drop with Kardinal Offishall, and it's safe to say we'll be seeing a lot more of these soulful sons.