Born and raised in Halifax, the Juno-award-winning indie band Wintersleep comes home this long-weekend to thank local fans with a free concert as part of Alexander Keith’s Natal Day Festival.

Touring with their latest album Hello Hum, drummer Loel Campbell is excited about the Saturday show.

“Being able to come home is awesome — it’s so great,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming now so we’ll have lots of friends and family around.”

Together since 2001, Wintersleep continues to take it all in.

Throughout their 11-year career, the boys have not only learned from each other but have also collaborated with a number of skilled teachers.

Campbell has worked with the likes of local band Contrived, Mexican rockers Chikita Violenta, and Quebecers Land of Talk.

“None of us went to school for music so individually we focus on getting better and picking up things as we go along,” said Campbell.

Now five albums in, he’s pleased to play for a local crowd with Hello Hum, co-produced by Dave Fridmann.

“We’ve been trying to work with him for five years,” Campbell said.

“He’s worked with other bands we really like such as Flaming Lips and Weezer, and he’s been at the helm for a number of records that we’ve loved.”

From Tarbox Studios in Cassadaga, New York, Wintersleep brings Hello Hum to Halifax Saturday as one of the many local musicians celebrating this city’s 117th Natal Day.

Wintersleep is scheduled to hit the stage at 8:30 p.m. in a show that also includes Alert The Medic and Rich Aucoin.

“We’re really happy to get back and play for the people back home,” said Campbell.

The lineup for Saturday’s Natal Day show at Alderney Landing:

•    Stogies — 5:30 p.m.
•    Gloryhound — 6:15 p.m.
•    Long Distance Runners — 7 p.m.
•    Wintersleep — 8 p.m.
•    Fireworks — 10 p.m.
•    Rich Aucoin — 10:15 p.m.
•    Alert The Medic — 11:30 p.m.