Andrea Peloso

Drea Lake

Canada

One of the things that have always made Canadian music unique are many artists’ close relationships with the environment. The inherent intertwining of the beauty of the natural world with the creation of unforgettable lyrics and melodies will always shape our culture, and singer/songwriter Drea Lake is directly connected to that tradition. Splitting her time between Montreal and the rustic town of Elora, Ontario, north of Guelph, Drea is poised to release her third single, “Dreaming Peacefully,” following up her previous offerings, “Bird In Your Window” and “Disappear With Me,” which established her as a dynamic new voice within the Canadian pop/folk music scene over the past two years. “Dreaming Peacefully” is again based around a propulsive, finger-picked acoustic guitar pattern, and paints a hopeful picture of the power of friendship and memory, tied together by Drea’s caressing vocal performance. The song finds Drea reuniting with producer/guitarist Antoine Dufour, regarded by many as one of the top acoustic fingerstyle players in the country. “I am really proud of this recording,” she says. “This song came after an evening with a very old friend who I had not seen in about 20 years. She reminded me of another old friend and told me a tale about him and where his life had taken him. I was shocked by the juxtaposition of his present circumstances and my most recent and vivid memory of him: a peaceful and extremely sweet day at Canada's Wonderland when we were both 17. I felt that if I could share this memory with him, or with anyone going through a hard time it might remind them of themselves.” “Dreaming Peacefully” is the next step in Drea’s longterm plan of releasing a full EP or album in the coming year, but for now she is focused on crafting more material that has been described as running the gamut of human experience. “My influences arise out of my love of pop folk music and poetry,” she says. “I think I have been moving in a direction that helps me further clarify my message when necessary to speak directly to the audience. I am also learning to share a little more of myself and my personality with each recording.” Drea Lake’s “Dreaming Peacefully” is the kind of song that casts a spell, putting Drea in the realm of other artists with that rare ability, such as Joni Mitchell and Bruce Cockburn. The only drawback is that it will leave you clamouring for more. Prepare to be transported.

https://drealake.com

Michel Roy

Les Hay Babies

Canada

Les Hay Babies are three authentic, funny and easygoing Acadian girls, who are first and foremost, great friends. While they often find it difficult to take one another seriously, there is little doubt about how serious Les Hay Babies are about creating infectious, and often thought-provoking, music. The band’s influences may surprise you. Musically, they draw from familiar elements of folk and rock, while also constructing a sonic atmosphere that allows for the embrace of comedy, fashion…and even pizza rolls. Eight years into their career, the girls’ artistic direction is as sharp, and fluid, as ever. Since their formation, Les Hay Babies have carved a unique path that that is always rooted in a deep affection and respect for one another. This adulation is apparent when those three harmonious voices carve out infectious rhythms and lyrics, and the listener is rewarded with an experience they won’t soon forget. Since the release of their 2012 EP Folio, the band has been touring. Life on the road inspired them to write their debut album Mon Homesick Heart (2014), a heartfelt record that embraced indie-folk and country music. The album yielded accolades in the form of awards and nominations, including three nominations at the ADISQ Gala in 2014, the “Francophone Singer-Songwriter of the Year” award at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and “Francophone Album of the Year” at the 2015 East Coast Music Awards. Their heighted notoriety brought invitations to play at Parliament Hill in celebration of Canada Day 2016, and a performance at the Canada Games in 2017. The trio’s sophomore album, the 70s and 80s-inspired La 4e dimension (version longue), gave the band their fourth ADISQ nomination, and took them on an adventure across the globe with their dynamic, and often humorous, live shows. On their third record, Boîte aux lettres, Les Hay Babies are embracing simplicity. With years of touring under their belts, they’ve mastered their instruments and have grown into well-established musicians. Vivianne, Julie and Katrine, the group’s three songwriters, switch among a variety of instruments including guitars, bass and even drums. Additionally, Les Hay Babies are surrounded by talented musicians on stage to present a fully realized concept show, as authentic as it is meticulousness.

http://www.leshaybabies.com/

Marc-André Belliveau

Les Hay Babies

Canada

Les Hay Babies are three authentic, funny and easygoing Acadian girls, who are first and foremost, great friends. While they often find it difficult to take one another seriously, there is little doubt about how serious Les Hay Babies are about creating infectious, and often thought-provoking, music. The band’s influences may surprise you. Musically, they draw from familiar elements of folk and rock, while also constructing a sonic atmosphere that allows for the embrace of comedy, fashion…and even pizza rolls. Eight years into their career, the girls’ artistic direction is as sharp, and fluid, as ever. Since their formation, Les Hay Babies have carved a unique path that that is always rooted in a deep affection and respect for one another. This adulation is apparent when those three harmonious voices carve out infectious rhythms and lyrics, and the listener is rewarded with an experience they won’t soon forget. Since the release of their 2012 EP Folio, the band has been touring. Life on the road inspired them to write their debut album Mon Homesick Heart (2014), a heartfelt record that embraced indie-folk and country music. The album yielded accolades in the form of awards and nominations, including three nominations at the ADISQ Gala in 2014, the “Francophone Singer-Songwriter of the Year” award at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and “Francophone Album of the Year” at the 2015 East Coast Music Awards. Their heighted notoriety brought invitations to play at Parliament Hill in celebration of Canada Day 2016, and a performance at the Canada Games in 2017. The trio’s sophomore album, the 70s and 80s-inspired La 4e dimension (version longue), gave the band their fourth ADISQ nomination, and took them on an adventure across the globe with their dynamic, and often humorous, live shows. On their third record, Boîte aux lettres, Les Hay Babies are embracing simplicity. With years of touring under their belts, they’ve mastered their instruments and have grown into well-established musicians. Vivianne, Julie and Katrine, the group’s three songwriters, switch among a variety of instruments including guitars, bass and even drums. Additionally, Les Hay Babies are surrounded by talented musicians on stage to present a fully realized concept show, as authentic as it is meticulousness.

http://www.leshaybabies.com/

Eric Breton

The McDades

Canada

Nominated for THREE 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards Punching through the walls of tradition, The McDades’ Celtic-rooted music fuses the spontaneity of jazz improvisation and infectious global rhythms. The Juno Award winners’ cutting edge sound is the perfect complement to their fiery performances. At the heart of the group are siblings Shannon, Solon & Jeremiah who grew up playing Canadian folk music alongside their parents and among artists from around the world; a unique upbringing that led to a love and respect for all music. Their ground- breaking compositions and innovative arrangements are characterized by stunning virtuosity and a near-telepathic interaction on stage. With vocal harmonies that can only come from a family, and an obvious love for each other and their music, The McDades’ sound is immersed in the spirit of improvisation. Combining original tunes and unique interpretations of traditional songs, their performances feature both energetic instrumentals and moving vocals performed in English and French. This compelling and dynamic group “finds their groove somewhere between a down-home kitchen party, a jazzy after hours club, and a folk festival.” (London Free Press) The McDades are winners of the Juno Award for Best Roots Album (group) and two Canadian Folk Music Awards (World Group of the year and Instrumental album of the year). Their new album “The Empress” continues to highlight the group’s one-of-a- kind sound and irresistible groove. “This Kicks!” (fRoots) New Album "The Empress” Nominated for THREE 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards • #1 on Earshot National Folk Blues Roots Chart (Canada) • #1 on CKUA Radio • #9 on Folk Alliance International Folk Chart in all of the USA, Canada, and Australia. Juno award-winning band, The McDades, are excited to announce the release of their third album, “The Empress”. In the tarot, The Empress is the third card; she represents the productivity of the subconscious and often brings strong bursts of creative and artistic energy. When deciding on a title for the album, we were drawn to the concept of the Empress and also to the symbolism of the number 3, both having ties to creativity, growth, new ideas and expression. “One of the most versatile and innovative groups in Canada...The by the book musician would find themselves at a loss when confronted with the breadth & depth of The McDades sound.” - Penguin Eggs "Incredibly talented" - Stephen Reineke, New York Pops Conductor "The sound on The Empress is a cauldron of richly defined shards of traditional styles laced with contemporary folk and worldly nuances... The McDades have created a compulsively vital canvas of rustic and cosmopolitan soundbites that caress the ear as much as illuminate the senses" - Living Traditions "The group has a sound that is simultaneously familiar to the listener, yet beyond comparison to much else in their musical sphere. Their Celtic and Roots-inspired music, love for improvisation, and boisterous live performances make for a redefinition of the traditional folk music sound.” - Music Mecca "The Empress is a captivating album with stellar performances, multifaceted melodies and masterful arrangements, demonstrating that The McDades is one of the most exciting bands in the current Canadian roots music scene." - World Music Central "The McDades found their groove somewhere between a down-home kitchen party, a jazzy after-hours club and a folk festival...blazing and soothing." - London Free Press

https://themcdades.com

Evan Pang

Aysanabee

Canada

Aysanabee is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer songwriter currently based in Toronto. He is Oji-Cree, Sucker Clan of the Sandy Lake First Nation a remote fly-in community in the far reaches of Northwestern Ontario. He began creating music under his mother’s maiden name during the pandemic when the stillness allowed him to slow down and create music, he says, more directly represents himself as an artist. Solemn and soaring, backed by a swirling blend of indie, soul and electronic soundscapes, mournful saxophone and pulse-quickening finger-picking, Aysanabee’s striking sound is equal parts hypnotic and melodic which has been compared to Bon Iver, Matt Corby, Don Ross, Kim Churchill, Kings of Leon and Sam Smith. His debut album, Watin (2022) named after his grandfather, includes 10 tracks and nine interludes featuring the voice of his grandfather and is both part music and journalism, artistry and expression. “Watin actually started out as a series of conversations between myself and my grandfather,” says Aysanabee. “We spent the first year of the pandemic talking about things we’ve never spoke about, his life on the trapline on Sandy Lake First Nation, falling in love, his life in residential school and then leaving everything behind..we never spoke of it until now. Even though we were over 1,000 kilometres apart, it was probably the closest we’ve ever been.” In a short amount of time, three singles were released including “Ego Death” (Oct 2022), “Nomads” (Aug 2022) which charted on Billboard Canada and became #1 on CBC Music and finally, “We Were Here” (July 2022), which charted on the Indigenous Music Countdown and featured in an episode of Station 19. In a whirlwind year, Aysanabee performed nearly 100 shows on major stages and festivals and venues across the country and across the ocean including Ottawa Bluesfest, Montreal Jazzfest, Mariposa, Riverfest, Summerfolk, Mission Folk, Alianait, Wake the Giant and many more. The artist has shared the stage with such notable acts including The National, Digging Roots, Amanda Rheaume, Sam Roberts, Our Lady Peace, DJ Shub, Julian Taylor, Jeremy Dutcher, Dan Mangan Mavis Staples, July Talk, Half Moon Run, Tokyo Police Club, Steven Page, Aqua, and more. The album is being released through Ishkode Records, founded by Amanda Rheaume and Shoshona Kish, one of the first Indigenous and women-owned labels in the country.

https://www.aysanabee.com/

Janice Lee

Sing Hey Arts

Canada

Janice Jo Lee is a second generation Korean-Canadian settler artist based in Tkaronto, Ontario. She is a folk-soul-jazz singer songwriter, composer-sound designer, spoken word poet, theatre maker, and arts/anti-oppression facilitator. Lee’s artwork has always been one with her activism. Her songs, poems and plays are immersed in issues of gender empowerment, community, climate change, the environment and antiracism. On stage she performs spoken word pieces and songs built on layers of cascading harmonies. With her guitar, looping pedal, trumpet, Korean janggu drum, disarmingly funny candour and poetically-rich lyrics, Lee commands the stage. She conjures warm energy, asks questions about our times, and leaves audiences rejuvenated and aglow. Born in Toronto to a Korean immigrant family, she grew up riding bikes, singing in choir, and preferred soccer to her piano lessons. After completing her degree in English and Political Science, she was a songwriter performing locally with The Radical Choir. It was in this collective that Lee began her early practice as a folk musician - leading sing-alongs, composing songs inspired by local issues, and performing in community. She spent the first ten years of her career in Kitchener-Waterloo as an artist, producer and activist. From 2015 to 2020 Lee worked on film and theatre projects. She toured the country and screened a full-length documentary called The Legend of Sing Hey (Dir. Becca Redden) at Rainbow Reels Waterloo and Toronto Queer Film Festival. She wrote and performed a critically-acclaimed one-woman musical titled Will You Be My Friend, (Dir. Matt White) a searing satire on cultural assimilation in Canada. From 2020 to 2022, Lee composed original music for three plays: Shaded by Nada Abousaleh, I Don’t Know and the Dora-nominated Suitcase, both by Syrian-Canadian playwright-actor Ahmad Meree. During the lockdown Lee expanded her practice facilitating anti-oppression conversations for universities and nonprofits. Lee’s new album Ancestor Song launches in 2023. Drawing inspiration from her island-dwelling family roots in South Korea, Lee says that “these melodies access a musical spirit deep in my blood memory. Melodies I feel have been passed down to me by my ancestors, who gave me the voice in my chest and my body as instrument.” The songs are folk in tradition, concerned with contemporary issues of the people and land. The melodies are rousingly thematic and supported by expansive jazz harmonies. Many songs depict water as a force of healing, power, drowning and destruction. In the studio, Lee says for the first time she felt safe and supported by her producer, avant-folk-rock artist from Kitchener-Waterloo, JoJo Worthington. “Not only is JoJo an incredible sound engineer and musician with an ear for sonics that’s beyond my frequency, she is a kind person who cares about me and knows my moods. With JoJo in the control room, we were able to actualize my musical dreams without compromise and I couldn’t be more proud of this record. We captured the Janice Jo Lee sound and I’ve been telling everyone it’s the best thing I’ve ever made.”

http://janicejolee.ca

Cat Bird

True North Records

Canada

Cat Bird Biography Since 2019 I have been Director of Business Development at Linus Entertainment. Linus is the home of Canadian outstanding record labels Stony Plain, True North, Children’s Group and Borealis Records. As the Head of the marketing department, I lead a team that publicizes and promotes recordings around the world. As Linus Entertainment also runs the administration of IDLA (Independent Distribution & Licensing Agency), I coordinate an international playlist promotion initiative for established recording artists and independent labels that ensures Canadian music is listened to on streaming platforms in all global markets. I am on the Board of Directors for the TD Niagara Jazz Festival, and am a fundraising specialist on contract with the Canadian Folk Music Awards. I volunteer for a number of non-profit arts and performance organizations including the Memorial Arts Centre in Ancaster, Ontario. As a freelance fundraiser I run Catbird.ca, a fundraising company for artists and organizations, that for 16 years has represented Canadian artists all over the world. Through my work Catbird.ca raised more than $9-million in funds and has supported musicians, filmmakers, dancers, visual artists, game coders, TV producers and the many thousands of individuals who work in the music industry with these artists. I currently teach the Grant-Writing course at the Harris Institute for the Arts. For more than 30 years I have worked in the entertainment industry, from starting Slap Happy Records, an indie record label and publicity company in the 1990’s, 12 years as the sponsorship and trade show coordinator for the NXNE Music Festival, launching the US bookings department of Paquin Entertainment Agency and being Executive Director for the Songwriters Association of Canada. In between were stints with Now Magazine, Jazz Expo and as an independent concert promoter and tour manager. My experience as an advisor and consultant in project management and funding has contributed to the success of thousands of artists, organizations and non-profit organizations.

https://truenorthrecords.com/

Sunchild Deer-Okpik

Twin Flames

Canada

Indie rock, synth rock, and folk-pop are just a few of the ways critics have tried to label the music of Twin Flames. It isn’t an easy task, and really, labels only serve the needs of those who choose to employ them. From the beginning, husband and wife duo Chelsey June and Jaaji have decided to let their music speak for itself. When considered alongside the 4 Canadian Folk Music Awards and 3 Native American Music Awards wins, and over 30 various music awards and nominations they have accumulated over the past seven years as Twin Flames, it’s obvious they have something special going on. Chelsey June, Métis (Algonquin Cree heritage) from Ottawa, and Jaaji, Inuk and Mohawk from Nunavik and Kahnawake, are part of an Indigenous renaissance. Their cultural backgrounds span Canada’s geography and their songs, delivered through a mix of English, French and Inuktitut, have helped them earn a unique place among contemporary music makers from coast to coast. Truthful and compelling storytelling accompanied by their playful humour makes a great combination with the level of musicianship they bring to the stage. Twin Flames’ realness resonates with audiences and they create a genuine human connection everywhere they go. Twin Flames have released three full-length albums since joining together, both professionally and as spouses. They have played more than 2,000 shows throughout Canada, Greenland, the United States, Australia, France and the Cayman Islands. They’ve also had 2 #1 hits on the Indigenous Music Countdown’s Top 40. Their music video for “Broke Down Ski’tuuq” was the first Inuttitut music video to be featured on MuchMusic, and their songs have been featured in movies and television series such as CBC's Tallboyz, Trouble in the Garden, David Suzuki’s The Nature of Things, Trapped in a Human Zoo and the documentary, Okpik’s Dream, to name a few. Their music videos "Taanisi" and "Porchlight" were chosen among the films screened at the 2018 Indianer Inuit: Das Nordamerika Film Festival in Stuttgart, Germany. The duo was selected as artist-in-residence for the 2019 Folk Alliance International conference and partnered with UNESCO to write “Human,” the official song to celebrate 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages. In 2023 they’re as busy as ever with tours across Canada, a live album release, a documentary, and showcase appearances across North America, not to mention working towards their 4th studio album.

https://www.twinflamesmusic.com/

Chelsey Jodoin

Twin Flames

Canada

Indie rock, synth rock, and folk-pop are just a few of the ways critics have tried to label the music of Twin Flames. It isn’t an easy task, and really, labels only serve the needs of those who choose to employ them. From the beginning, husband and wife duo Chelsey June and Jaaji have decided to let their music speak for itself. When considered alongside the 4 Canadian Folk Music Awards and 3 Native American Music Awards wins, and over 30 various music awards and nominations they have accumulated over the past seven years as Twin Flames, it’s obvious they have something special going on. Chelsey June, Métis (Algonquin Cree heritage) from Ottawa, and Jaaji, Inuk and Mohawk from Nunavik and Kahnawake, are part of an Indigenous renaissance. Their cultural backgrounds span Canada’s geography and their songs, delivered through a mix of English, French and Inuktitut, have helped them earn a unique place among contemporary music makers from coast to coast. Truthful and compelling storytelling accompanied by their playful humour makes a great combination with the level of musicianship they bring to the stage. Twin Flames’ realness resonates with audiences and they create a genuine human connection everywhere they go. Twin Flames have released three full-length albums since joining together, both professionally and as spouses. They have played more than 2,000 shows throughout Canada, Greenland, the United States, Australia, France and the Cayman Islands. They’ve also had 2 #1 hits on the Indigenous Music Countdown’s Top 40. Their music video for “Broke Down Ski’tuuq” was the first Inuttitut music video to be featured on MuchMusic, and their songs have been featured in movies and television series such as CBC's Tallboyz, Trouble in the Garden, David Suzuki’s The Nature of Things, Trapped in a Human Zoo and the documentary, Okpik’s Dream, to name a few. Their music videos "Taanisi" and "Porchlight" were chosen among the films screened at the 2018 Indianer Inuit: Das Nordamerika Film Festival in Stuttgart, Germany. The duo was selected as artist-in-residence for the 2019 Folk Alliance International conference and partnered with UNESCO to write “Human,” the official song to celebrate 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages. In 2023 they’re as busy as ever with tours across Canada, a live album release, a documentary, and showcase appearances across North America, not to mention working towards their 4th studio album.

https://www.twinflamesmusic.com/

Tim Posgate

So Long Seven (band)

Canada

Tim Posgate Bio Playing music has always been about friendship and being in a band for Tim Posgate. After 35 years he is still choosing paths in his career that are less traveled and full of new challenges. Soon after being nominated as best jazz guitarist in Canada (National Jazz Awards), the banjo became central to his musical life and he fully embraced folk, world, bluegrass and so many different types of music. Before he knew it, he was recording and touring internationally with So Long Seven and Ronley Teper and the Lipliners. Now, you are likely to hear his fiddle playing or even a mandolin escaping from the windows of his home studio. After studying music at York University and attending the Banff School of the Arts his career as a recording artist, bandleader and touring musician took off with his debut CD Hoser City (1993). Numerous tours across Canada supporting his recordings as a leader led to the eventual culmination of the Tim Posgate Hornband featuring Howard Johnson. Playing with this legendary tuba player (the Band, John Lennon, Taj Mahal..) garnered international music festival invitations that led to tours including Sweden, Finland and the U.S. Including the three recordings by the collective So Long Seven Tim Posgate has produced and released 9 Cds. As a multi-instrumentalist Posgate is always working on improving his musical toolbox on his different instruments. Part of his daily regime includes composition and now with his new "Banjo Quartet" featuring Andrew Downing, Aline Homzy and Kelsley Grant he is busier than ever writing music for that, So Long Seven and other projects. Since raising two kids with his wife at their downtown Toronto home Posgate has become a busy sideman. He can be found playing in many groups with his friends including Rob Clutton’s Cluttertones, the bass/banjo duo he has with Andrew Downing and Collette Savard and the Savants. The five years before the Covid shutdown Posgate was doing regular European touring with Ronley Teper and the Lipliners. He has also performed with the Shuffle Demons, Steve Lacy, Jane Bunnett, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Mike Murley, Kevin Turcotte, Andy Milne, Jerry Douglas and Lee Pui-Ming among others. Posgate is also highly respected as a private music teacher. One of his most loved Cd’s was with Howard Johnson and it was called Banjo Hockey. You can bet if he is not playing the banjo he is probably playing (or watching) hockey.

http://www.solongseven.com/

Julie Elise Aube

Les Hay Babies

Canada

Les Hay Babies are three authentic, funny and easygoing Acadian girls, who are first and foremost, great friends. While they often find it difficult to take one another seriously, there is little doubt about how serious Les Hay Babies are about creating infectious, and often thought-provoking, music. The band’s influences may surprise you. Musically, they draw from familiar elements of folk and rock, while also constructing a sonic atmosphere that allows for the embrace of comedy, fashion…and even pizza rolls. Eight years into their career, the girls’ artistic direction is as sharp, and fluid, as ever. Since their formation, Les Hay Babies have carved a unique path that that is always rooted in a deep affection and respect for one another. This adulation is apparent when those three harmonious voices carve out infectious rhythms and lyrics, and the listener is rewarded with an experience they won’t soon forget. Since the release of their 2012 EP Folio, the band has been touring. Life on the road inspired them to write their debut album Mon Homesick Heart (2014), a heartfelt record that embraced indie-folk and country music. The album yielded accolades in the form of awards and nominations, including three nominations at the ADISQ Gala in 2014, the “Francophone Singer-Songwriter of the Year” award at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and “Francophone Album of the Year” at the 2015 East Coast Music Awards. Their heighted notoriety brought invitations to play at Parliament Hill in celebration of Canada Day 2016, and a performance at the Canada Games in 2017. The trio’s sophomore album, the 70s and 80s-inspired La 4e dimension (version longue), gave the band their fourth ADISQ nomination, and took them on an adventure across the globe with their dynamic, and often humorous, live shows. On their third record, Boîte aux lettres, Les Hay Babies are embracing simplicity. With years of touring under their belts, they’ve mastered their instruments and have grown into well-established musicians. Vivianne, Julie and Katrine, the group’s three songwriters, switch among a variety of instruments including guitars, bass and even drums. Additionally, Les Hay Babies are surrounded by talented musicians on stage to present a fully realized concept show, as authentic as it is meticulousness.

http://www.leshaybabies.com/

Tania Joy

Canada

Folk-roots musician Tania Joy has been using the last few years to hone her songwriting, releasing her 2013 EP, I’ll Be Around and her 2021 EP I Will Stand, which was produced by Juno Award winner Hill Kourkoutis. Tania’s stories, so far, have been about relationships, in all their complicated forms. However, in 2020, Tania found herself taking on a more complex narrative as the world around her shifted, bringing increased and global attention to Black Lives Matter. With mentorship from Hillside’s Girl with Guitars program, Tania wrote her first protest song, “Planks and Marietta,” which was released on Bandcamp during Black History month with all proceeds from downloads being directed to Black Lives Matter. “I needed to write a song about the difficult relationship between me and racism,” says Tania. “I've always needed to talk about it, but I rarely have. George Floyd brought it all back, and now after a very dark period I am able to start the conversation, even if it's only with myself, in ‘Planks and Marietta,’” she says, the title taken from a racist incident that occurred at the cross streets in Uxbridge. “Planks and Marietta” and “The Drought,” won Tania Joy the Songwriter of The Year Award at the 2021 OMAs. “Planks and Marietta” also received a nomination for Durham Song of the Year. This pure, heartfelt, release has garnered attention across Canada, and overseas with features on CBC, The Bluegrass Situation, American Songwriter, Americana UK, Sirius XM and her first showcase in the US. I Will Stand has since been nominated for Album of the Year at the 2022 OMAs (Oshawa Music Awards), while Hill Kourkoutis won a Juno in 2022 for Recording Engineer of The Year for her work on “The Drought”; she is the first woman in the history of the category to be nominated as an engineer. Tania, who hosted an open mic in Uxbridge for almost a decade, also co-founded a non-profit music festival in 2018 called Springtide, which draws over a thousand people to see over 70 acts in various venues from breweries and bistros to bookstores and clothing shops. “There’s something about this place. It’s got such a tight knit and supportive arts community from sculptors to musicians to theatre, as well as the No. 1 bookstore in Canada. I think we’re all pretty proud to live here,” she says.

http://www.taniajoy.com

Ellen Froese

Managed by Victory Pool

Canada

Ellen Froese is what you'd call a “prolific artist”; committed, too. For someone who only just passed the threshold of their mid-20s, she's amassed a resolutely solid body of work and, with a variety of projects, achieved more than some many years her senior. For Each Flower Growing, Froese's fourth full-length, produced in collaboration with the Sheepdogs' Sam Corbett, is her most accomplished statement to date, drawing on her established sound as a folk & country-based singer/songwriter while incorporating a wider frame of reference in the rich production, supple instrumentation, and overall sonic soundworld. It's much harder to pin down than any simple description can convey, making it all the more worthwhile to check out. The impressive scope of this rich, imaginative amalgam of an album is largely due to the expansive creative vision of Froese herself, who says the album is “based around ideas of 1970s science exploration via Carl Sagan’s series Cosmos, Arthur Russell’s drum machine folk music, finding humour in sadness, and analyzing past relationship choices”. Some of these guiding elements can be attributed simply to the continuing growth of a serious artist, but others lie in less sunny realities. Jill Mack, Froese's original recording engineer and close friend, sadly passed away during the making of For Each Flower Growing, and subsequently the album became, as she puts it, “something different - it is now an homage to her and will always hold memories of my time in the studio with her”. Despite this deep sadness underpinning the album's creation, Froese was lucky to find a wonderful creative foil in Sam Corbett, helping her move past old ideas and reimagine her conception of what “folk music” can be. With the addition of drum machines, synths, and more intricate vocal production techniques, Froese reflects that “folk music can be anything I want it to be; I don’t have to be stuck in an antiquated mindset to hold strong musical ties to the past”. And the results of that mindset are stellar; For Each Flower Growing is exquisitely warm and inviting, foregrounding the singer's lilting, ethereal vocals atop right-in-the-pocket, pillow-y drumming, melodic bass lines, ripples of Hammond organ layers, and – for the headphone listener – a bevvy of expertly-placed sonic details tucked into the margins of this highly accomplished album. The album is an easy listen, immediately inviting and begging for repeat listens. And while it sits nicely alongside contemporary songsmiths such as Angel Olsen, Laura Veirs, Jessica Pratt, and Adrienne Lenker (Big Thief), Froese's sound moves beyond those realms, also recalling the aforementioned Arthur Russell, an iconoclastic songwriter and producer whose songs traded in similar contemplative, horizon-gazing moods, and even the more relaxed moments of Jeff Tweedy and Wilco. In other moments, Froese's roots in the trad-folk world shine through, revealing an affinity for '60s British folk trailblazers such as Fairport Convention and Nick Drake, as well as under the radar gems like Judee Sill and Sybille Baier. Froese recently completed a string of live dates with beloved fellow Saskatchewanians The Deep Dark Woods, and she is gearing up for a residency at the legendary Cameron House in Toronto for the month of November. The album is out now via Victory Pool. Records, and appreciators of fine music would be well-advised to check it out.

https://www.ellenfroese.com/

Jeremiah McDade

The McDades

Canada

Nominated for THREE 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards Punching through the walls of tradition, The McDades’ Celtic-rooted music fuses the spontaneity of jazz improvisation and infectious global rhythms. The Juno Award winners’ cutting edge sound is the perfect complement to their fiery performances. At the heart of the group are siblings Shannon, Solon & Jeremiah who grew up playing Canadian folk music alongside their parents and among artists from around the world; a unique upbringing that led to a love and respect for all music. Their ground- breaking compositions and innovative arrangements are characterized by stunning virtuosity and a near-telepathic interaction on stage. With vocal harmonies that can only come from a family, and an obvious love for each other and their music, The McDades’ sound is immersed in the spirit of improvisation. Combining original tunes and unique interpretations of traditional songs, their performances feature both energetic instrumentals and moving vocals performed in English and French. This compelling and dynamic group “finds their groove somewhere between a down-home kitchen party, a jazzy after hours club, and a folk festival.” (London Free Press) The McDades are winners of the Juno Award for Best Roots Album (group) and two Canadian Folk Music Awards (World Group of the year and Instrumental album of the year). Their new album “The Empress” continues to highlight the group’s one-of-a- kind sound and irresistible groove. “This Kicks!” (fRoots) New Album "The Empress” Nominated for THREE 2023 Canadian Folk Music Awards • #1 on Earshot National Folk Blues Roots Chart (Canada) • #1 on CKUA Radio • #9 on Folk Alliance International Folk Chart in all of the USA, Canada, and Australia. Juno award-winning band, The McDades, are excited to announce the release of their third album, “The Empress”. In the tarot, The Empress is the third card; she represents the productivity of the subconscious and often brings strong bursts of creative and artistic energy. When deciding on a title for the album, we were drawn to the concept of the Empress and also to the symbolism of the number 3, both having ties to creativity, growth, new ideas and expression. “One of the most versatile and innovative groups in Canada...The by the book musician would find themselves at a loss when confronted with the breadth & depth of The McDades sound.” - Penguin Eggs "Incredibly talented" - Stephen Reineke, New York Pops Conductor "The sound on The Empress is a cauldron of richly defined shards of traditional styles laced with contemporary folk and worldly nuances... The McDades have created a compulsively vital canvas of rustic and cosmopolitan soundbites that caress the ear as much as illuminate the senses" - Living Traditions "The group has a sound that is simultaneously familiar to the listener, yet beyond comparison to much else in their musical sphere. Their Celtic and Roots-inspired music, love for improvisation, and boisterous live performances make for a redefinition of the traditional folk music sound.” - Music Mecca "The Empress is a captivating album with stellar performances, multifaceted melodies and masterful arrangements, demonstrating that The McDades is one of the most exciting bands in the current Canadian roots music scene." - World Music Central "The Dizzy Gillespie of the Irish Tin Whistle" - The Washington Post "The McDades found their groove somewhere between a down-home kitchen party, a jazzy after-hours club and a folk festival...blazing and soothing." - London Free Press

https://themcdades.com

Sophie Lukacs

Sophie Lukacs Music

Canada

Hailing from Montreal by way of Budapest, Hungary, Sophie Lukacs is a kora player and singer songwriter, whose musical journey is anything but ordinary. Introduced to the violin at the age of 4, she grew up in the western classical tradition. After completing her studies at McGill University, a chance trip to Burkina Faso completely changed her musical direction, and her life. It is there she is introduced to Mandingue music and more importantly, the Kora. She is captivated but daunted by the history of the instrument. The kora is traditionally reserved for males of the musical caste (griot) of West Africa and dates back to the 13th century. In the end, love prevails and she begins lessons, soon after traveling to Paris for a master class with kora legend Toumani Diabaté. When he invites her to study with him in Bamako, Mali, it's an easy decision: she packs her bags and never looks back. During her 7 years in Mali, - throughout which she gains fluency in the musical and linguistic vocabulary, as well as performing regularly on the Bamako music scene, - Sophie establishes herself as a kora player and distinguishes herself as songwriter with a unique musical style. She has shared the stage and recorded with renown Malian artists including Habib Koité and Vieux Farka Touré. Sophie is grateful for her years of study with kora masters Toumani Diabaté, Ballake Sissoko's family, and two years with the Ensemble Instrumentale du Mali. Her current project that she presents her music with is a trio, with accompaniment from Michel Medrano Brindis on the percussion, and Laszlo Koos on the cello. Drawing inspiration from her time in Mali, as well as her earlier musical experiences - studies in classical violin, and her roots in Hungarian Jewish folk music - Sophie has forged a unique style in the folk tradition. Her music is rooted in love, empathy, and vulnerability, creating an intimate connection with listeners. This past year, Sophie was an official showcase presenter at Folk Alliance International '22, Folk Music Ontario '22, MAPAS '22, and Ritmo Music Budapest Showcase and Festival '22. Most recently performing at Nuits d'Afrique festival '22, her debut album will be released in early '23, and features 2 tracks with the legendary Habib Koité. Sophie is the recipient of numerous grants (FACTOR JSR, CAC, CALQ, CAM) and prizes (Stingray Rising Star '20, MUZ Vision Diversité '22) and is a devoted kora and violin teacher to her students around the world.

https://www.sophielukacs.com/

Ian Espinet

Breaking Down Racial Barriers

Canada

Breaking Down Racial Barriers was born of the 2020 racial unrest and is widely recognized as a major catalyst in the national conversation on anti-Black and systemic racism in the Canadian music and creative industries. BDRB engages in groundbreaking equity research & data innovation, programming and training resulting in actionable, measurable outcomes making a positive impact on future generations of music and creative industry professionals, globally. Ian Andre Espinet is a Toronto born, serial entrepreneur, creative and lifelong community advocate. A business professional with over 2 1/2 decades of combined expertise in various areas of business, he is a proficient marketer, graphic designer & creative director, social media specialist, entertainment impresario, public speaker and community servant. He is the owner of Black Star Graphic Design & Communications, Iconic Arts & Entertainment, Emancipation Consciouswear, and co-founder of the Breaking Down Racial Barriers. He is also founder of 20 Winterbrook, a charitable project which assists those in need in the Scarborough catchment of Toronto. Ian frequently volunteers and speaks to children/youth on entrepreneurship; is currently a member of the Ontario Creates Industry Advisory Committee (IAC), member of programming and former Chair (2020-2022) of the Advocacy committee of ADVANCE (Canada’s Black Music Business Collective), a FACTOR Hip Hop and R&B Juror for the last 5 sessions, a 2021 CARAS Juno Awards Judge, and member of the 2022 Creative BC Grant Evaluation Panel. He has served on the board of CHRY/VIBE 105.5fm (4 years) and is the recipient of the University of Toronto / Government of Canada's "150 Neighbours" CityBuilder Award (for service to Scarborough), The City of Toronto Volunteer & Community Service Award and Shifter Magazine’s Outstanding Black Men in Canada for 2022. He supports a variety of charitable organizations through his 20 Winterbrook Initiative which raised over 75k in 2020 in support of Tropicana Community Services and the Agincourt Community Services Association. www.bdrb.ca | www.linkedin.com/in/respectthename/

http://www.BDRB.ca

Joni NehRita

LuvSum Music

Canada

Socially-charged Afro-Latin + Caribbean soul flirts with jazz. Folk Heart. Joni NehRita invites listeners to feel, move and think more with her gift for writing catchy melodies dressed in jazzy chord ready to hit the beach- south of the border, of course! This knack for sun-drenched melodies and infectious grooves help her message of equity, social change and the cultivation of compassion to be received like a cool drink on a sweltering day. She leans in toward fearless self-expression and the complexities of what it is to be a human striving to be better. The path isn’t easy or linear, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be joyful along the way. The Jamaican-Canadian artist is a seasoned performer- fortunate enough to have played on stages around the globe including, North America, Australia, Europe and The Middle East. As Raji Sohal of the CBC said, “I can attest that in live performance her voice and stage presence are stellar and come off as endearingly natural.” NehRita studied jazz vocals and arranging at Humber College and it continues to enrich her composition & improvisational skills. She is also quite passionate about Circle Music which is a form of group music-making that is based around play, improvisational singing and body percussion. In January 2023 she travelled to Brazil to complete her circle music facilitation training with Música do Círculo. Notable career highlights include playing lead roles in professional musical theatre (Obeah Opera in Toronto and Hair in London ON), playing her original music live on national tv three times on Canada AM as well as being the featured vocalist twice with the KW Symphony and once with the Hamilton Philharmonic. As an educator/facilitator, NehRita has guest lectured at Seneca at York, The University of Guelph and Wilfrid Laurier University. She is also a TEDxED speaker in addition to being a seasoned panelist and moderator. In fall 2023 she releases a new project: Songs For Community- an album, songbook and contemporary choral charts. Age of Majority Singers, will be the first choir to perform repertoire from this album at their spring concert in April 2023.

https://joninehrita.com

Katrine Noel

Les Hay Babies

Canada

Les Hay Babies are three authentic, funny and easygoing Acadian girls, who are first and foremost, great friends. While they often find it difficult to take one another seriously, there is little doubt about how serious Les Hay Babies are about creating infectious, and often thought-provoking, music. The band’s influences may surprise you. Musically, they draw from familiar elements of folk and rock, while also constructing a sonic atmosphere that allows for the embrace of comedy, fashion…and even pizza rolls. Eight years into their career, the girls’ artistic direction is as sharp, and fluid, as ever. Since their formation, Les Hay Babies have carved a unique path that that is always rooted in a deep affection and respect for one another. This adulation is apparent when those three harmonious voices carve out infectious rhythms and lyrics, and the listener is rewarded with an experience they won’t soon forget. Since the release of their 2012 EP Folio, the band has been touring. Life on the road inspired them to write their debut album Mon Homesick Heart (2014), a heartfelt record that embraced indie-folk and country music. The album yielded accolades in the form of awards and nominations, including three nominations at the ADISQ Gala in 2014, the “Francophone Singer-Songwriter of the Year” award at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and “Francophone Album of the Year” at the 2015 East Coast Music Awards. Their heighted notoriety brought invitations to play at Parliament Hill in celebration of Canada Day 2016, and a performance at the Canada Games in 2017. The trio’s sophomore album, the 70s and 80s-inspired La 4e dimension (version longue), gave the band their fourth ADISQ nomination, and took them on an adventure across the globe with their dynamic, and often humorous, live shows. On their third record, Boîte aux lettres, Les Hay Babies are embracing simplicity. With years of touring under their belts, they’ve mastered their instruments and have grown into well-established musicians. Vivianne, Julie and Katrine, the group’s three songwriters, switch among a variety of instruments including guitars, bass and even drums. Additionally, Les Hay Babies are surrounded by talented musicians on stage to present a fully realized concept show, as authentic as it is meticulousness.

http://www.leshaybabies.com/

Mike Biggar

Canada

By any measure, Contemporary Roots & Blues artist Mike Biggar is a natural live performer. With a musical history baptized in a gospel music upbringing, and soulful vocals that testify still to the deep imprint of those early musical days, he is a picture of a lifetime spent in performance. Onstage his style is equal parts gutsy and joyful; a warm, bourbon-esque cocktail of soulful, modern roots & blues, a tonic to any listener thirsty for song writing authenticity and raw, honest performance. His noted emotional delivery punctuates his acclaimed songs with a throughline of genuineness that is distinct, effective, and maybe even a bit spiritual. From acoustic duo house concerts to full band festival and theatre stages, his rollicking, high energy vocals steam down the line like a roots-inspired freight train, perfectly paired with infectious melodies and mingled with his warm, disarming humour. Biggar has been honoured with numerous regional awards in his 10-plus years career from both the East Coast Music Association and Music New Brunswick, including ‘Blues Album of the Year’, ‘Inspirational Album of the Year’ and more. In Fall 2022, Biggar confirmed new music plans for 2023, with new singles in development and the award-winning Chris Kirby (Matt Andersen, Quote the Raven) of Halifax Nova Scotia at the producer’s helm. Kirby and Biggar have seized on a strong vision and called into action a true A-list of Canadian studio talent, with a keen focus on their shared conviction to deliver Biggar’s most soulful, authentic recordings to date, including co-writes with Canadian blues gems such as Maple Blues Award winners Suzie Vinnick and Charlie A’Court. Biggar tours regularly and has been a featured performer on major East Coast festival stages such as the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Cavendish Beach Music Festival, Kempt Shore Acoustic Festival and Larlee Creek Hullabaloo. He has been an official showcase artist at East Coast Music Week, Folk Music Ontario, Folk Alliance International and more. He has shared the stage with artists such as Steve Earle, Matt Andersen, Stephen Fearing, Matt Minglewood, Lynn Miles, Dave Gunning, Ron Hynes, Lukas Nelson, Del Barber, Joey Landreth, and more. 2023-24-25 will see Biggar sharing his compelling live performance brand more broadly than ever in markets across Canada, the United Kingdom, the USA and more.

http://www.mikebiggar.com

Ryan McMahon

Canada

The singer songwriter has enough wit and charm to get through any situation and his songwriting fits every emotion into his live performance. A blend of folk, americana and rock following the lead of his peers Jason Isbell, Nathaniel Rateliff & Warren Zevon. Ryan McMahon’s music is engaging and honest and is written from the heart and sung from the soul. It is as rock as folk can get before it starts to roll. Born on the coast of British Columbia in a small seaside hamlet on Vancouver Island, Ryan’s first experiences performing were for family members laughing at his reiterations of comedians he loved. As he expelled versions of Eddie Murphy and Billy Connolly, McMahon fed off the energy from his audiences at such a young age and continued to dive into the music influences of his parents, which included a mix of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, The Everly Brothers and BB King. He picked up a guitar in high school and became known for playing the Battle of the Bands and sneaking into the clubs in nearby cities as an under-aged performer. After graduating, he moved across the pond into the Vancouver scene to join a group of musicians exploring the music and nightlife of the bigger arena. He spent a decade playing small clubs, hosting open mics, writing, and recording. The songwriting and recording became his outlet for understanding the human experience and his ability to connect to audiences grew with each story he told. During his time in Vancouver, he penned the album, Weeks Months Years, produced by Mike Rogerson at Bakerstreet in North Vancouver. The muse of life brought him back to Vancouver Island in 2008 and as a solo artist, McMahon won a record three Vancouver Island Music Awards for Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year in 2012 for his album ALL GOOD STORIES. After touring in support of the album, he joined forces with Cory Woodward and Christopher Arruda to create Lion Bear Fox: a folk-rock trio that showcased and toured Canada, the U.S. and in Europe until 2019. McMahon’s contributions to the band resulted in some of their most well-known songs, like “Shine,” “Freedom” and “Going, Going, Gone.” Over the years, Ryan has opened for many iconic bands and artists from Buffy Ste. Marie and Lisa Loeb to Canadian artists Nickelback, Burton Cummings, Brett Kissell. His talent, persona and musicality opened many doors to the range of genres encompassed in his songs. In 2019, as Ryan returned from Tonder Festival in Denmark, the opportunity to play with and meet Canadian Country Music singer Aaron Pritchett marked the embarking on a new chapter of his music. Following the Covid-19 Pandemic, Ryan released “One More Fire” in April 2022. The track is a barn-burning country/Americana anthem that speaks to the post-lockdown world and is the first single from his upcoming album LIVE NOW. The new single, “Lost & Found,” is a love song to his wife, Cathleen. "Of course, songs and art are subjective things, but to me this tune represents the rollercoaster of love and marriage,” says Ryan. “To navigate all the changes within a relationship takes dedication. You endure peaks and valleys; wins and losses. Sometimes love gets lost, but when you have a connection like we do, we have the belief that it deserves to be found again.”

https://www.ryanmcmahon.com

Geneviève Racette

Canada

Nationally renowned, Québécois folk-pop musician, Geneviève Racette, has captivated listeners with her gentle, yet compelling, emotional resonance, and garnered impressive industry support for her folk-pop tracks ever since her first EP in 2014. Through her vulnerable lyricism and ethereal vocals, Geneviève has emerged as a rising star in both French and English-speaking Canadian music scenes. Satellite, Geneviève's third full-length record (March 2022), is a 9-song collection delivering honest stories of self-discovery and reflection through the cycle of love. The album filled with intimate vocals, lush instruments and expressive harmonies, evokes moments of love, heartbreak, healing, forgiveness and ultimately falling in love again. Like a body orbiting a star in the silence and emptiness of the universe, a satellite depends on the other to maintain its orbit, a fragile, solitary and uncertain love. Each of us will find ourselves in this cycle of love, in this eternal period of beginnings and endings. The recognition Satellite received upon its release has been even greater than Geneviève has experienced in the past. With glowing critique from major outlets, including Rolling Stone, Exclaim!, CBC, Women of Americana, Americana Music Association, Sirius XM and countless other publications and radio stations, this has undoubtedly been her most successful release to date. The trajectory for Racette's career has been on a tremendous incline since her previous album, No Water, No Flowers, which catapulted Geneviève from Quebec recognition to national praise, including a Canadian Folk Music Award, performing on stage with City and Colour at Osheaga, rave reviews from media, music publications and blogs, and tracking on multiple radio stations right across Canada. As a woman in music, it is essential to Geneviève that she surrounds herself with like-minded females in the industry. She is proud that over half her team involved in the creation of Satellite are female musicians and members of the industry. Through fine-tuning her artistic vision and developing a profound network of professionals, Geneviève approached the release of this latest record with a newfound creative state of mind and a vision to export her music across North America and beyond. A feat she unwaveringly conquered.

http://genevieveracette.com

Solon McDade

The McDades/Sussex

Canada

Solon McDade Biography Juno Award winning bassist and composer Solon McDade grew up surrounded by music and musicians. He began playing the washtub bass as soon as he was big enough to pick it up, and later moved on to the larger upright bass. He and his siblings were trained as musicians from a young age and exposed to their parents’ extensive and eclectic record collection. They were soon playing alongside their parents in the McDade Family Band, a group that toured Canada with their own brand of Canadiana folk music at festivals and theatres throughout the 1980s and 1990s. These gigs and particularly the late-night jam sessions at folk festivals left a lasting impression on Solon. From these experiences he retained a love of music, an openness to new sounds and a vision for musical possibilities which contribute to his versatility as a performer in a variety of musical genres. His distinctive melodic and powerful bass playing provides the foundation upon which numerous recordings have been built. Recordings that feature Solon on bass have been have won two Juno awards (nominated for five). His group, The McDades, won a 2007 Juno Award and two Canadian Folk Music Awards for their album “Bloom” and his recording discography features over twenty nominations for various other awards. Solon has been a part of multiple tours of Canada, the United States, Mexico, Europe and China. He has performed with a varied cast of artists such as blues musicians Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson, Billy Boy Arnold, Major Handy, Wild Child Butler, Michael Coleman, Harp Dog Brown; songwriters John Allen Cameron, James Keelaghan, Bill Bourne, Alejandra Ribera, Maria Dunn, David Wilkie, Rob Lutes and Thomas Hellman; jazz musicians such as the Susie Arioli, Jordan Officer, Jim Doxas, Jan Jarczyk, Christine Jensen, Joel Miller, Mike Rud, Ralph Sutton, Kent Sangster and Bluegrass bands Guy Donis Trio and Notre Dame de Grass. His most recent recordings include work with Nikki Yanofsky, Niiki By Starlight (2022), James Keelaghan, Second Hand (2023 CFMA nominee), Rob Lutes, Come Around (2022 CFMA Winner), Maria Dunn, Joyful Banners Blazing (2022 Juno Award Winner) and his brother Jeremiah McDades’ jazz debut (2023). Along with the five Juno nominations recordings he has performed on have also been nominated for eleven Canadian Folk Music Awards (won three), five Independent Music Awards (won three), three Western Canadian Music Awards, seven ARIAs and a Canadian Maple Blues Award. He was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award from MacEwan University in 2014. Solon released Murals his debut recording as a leader in 2018 and most recently released a new album by The McDades entitled The Empress (2021) which has been nominated for three Canadian Folk Music Awards. Not content with simply being part of the rhythm section, Solon moves freely between being the lead melodic instrument and providing rock-steady bass lines. On stage, Solon's playful nature, ease and mischievous spirit contribute to intense and unforgettable performances.

https://www.solonmcdade.com

Teagan Johnston

Canada

Formerly known as Little Coyote, Teagan Johnston, is a singer-songwriter who drives the genre beyond its current borders, bringing a radical rawness to her work that hits you in your heart. Born in the Yukon, raised between South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the West Coast of Canada, Teagan brings a vast and ever layered perspective to her work. Teagan Johnston’s music is strong and powerful while also holding space for softness and vulnerability. Combining her delicately detailed piano playing with lyrics full of love and longing, Teagan seeks to explore human darkness and the fabric of our dreams. She weaves intricately dynamic songs that are sure to haunt you in a way that soothes your soul, and provokes warm memories of long lost romances. Compared to the likes of Fiona Apple, Regina Spektor, and Nick Cave, Tegan’s debut ‘The Trouble with Teeth’ was released in October 2017 with the enthusiastic support of EggHunt Records. Her following 2019 EP, Stay Gold, received many accolades and acclaims from various media outlets, such as VICE’s Noisey, PopMatters & more. A seasoned and experienced live performer, at home playing solo or backed by a band, Teagan has toured North America and Europe, including performing a special set at David Lynch’s prestigious private Paris nightclub Silencio. Teagan partakes in several art forms outside of music as a means of communication and creative expression. She has modelled for Canadian fashion designers such as Evan Biddell, and written OP ED articles for The Toronto Star and She Does The City and acted in Canadian Indie Horror movie The Strings. In addition to acting the lead role in The Strings, Teagan also composed original music for the film. Outlets such as The New York Times, The A.V. Club , Bloody Disgusting and more have called Johnston’s performance and music in The Strings “commanding” and “magnetic.” Teagan’s debut full length record under her given name Teagan Johnston was be released in April of 2022. The album titled Sentimental Ballad is a raw expression of heart ache through minimalistic piano and lyrically driven songs. The album has been met with critical acclaim from outlets such as Earmilk who called the record “a deeply personal slice of dark-pop detailing the heart-wrenching events culminating in a breakup.”

https://www.teaganjohnston.com/

Sandra Sutter

Sandra Sutter Music

Canada

Sandra Sutter is an award winning Cree Métis recording artist, songwriter, musician. poet and filmmaker who writes, records and performs in multiple genres encompassing roots music; including Native Americana, folk, country, pop, jazz, blues and rock. Performances are customized for the audience and range from intimate singer-songwriter shows to full band performances to shows with the Calgary Civic Symphony. Raised in a loving non-Indigenous family, Sandra affirmed and embraced her ancestral and cultural roots later in life. Like many displaced Indigenous people, honouring her proud cultural roots is important to a woman whose birth heritage was lost through time and circumstance. Sandra’s culture influences her every step through life and she has grown into an active and passionate advocate for Indigenous traditions and rights. Her life journey in both the non-Indigenous and Indigenous worlds has given her a unique perspective and opportunity to bring people together through her songs of reconciliation. 2022 saw a return to live performances concurrently with Ms. Sutter’s debut as a Film Producer with her short film about women’s empowerment, A Woman’s Voice. A Woman’s Voice is currently touring Film Festivals and has garnered 40 nominations and 27 awards so far. Sutter also released her new single, Midnight Serenade, featured in the short film, in June. 2021’s efforts included a collaboration with Vince Fontaine and the release of ‘Storyteller’ on the Indian City Code Red album released in November as well as the release of the collaborative Cluster Stars Song Book. Sandra’s 2020 Christmas Release, Aurora 12 Songs for the Season, expanded on the theme of her truth and reconciliation focused 2017 release, Cluster Stars; sharing stories about the culture, history, challenges, strength, beauty and resilience of Indigenous Peoples. Aurora 12 is a mix of 8 original songs along with 4 traditional Christmas songs presented in a way that only the award-winning singer-song writer can deliver. 21 Industry nominations in the last three years include wins for two 2022 ISSMA’s (Best Folk and Best Spiritual), a 2021 SSIMA (Best Métis Artist/Group of the Year), a 2018 NAMA (Best Americana) and 2019 IMA (Best Producer/Engineer). Ms. Sutter also received an Esquao Award (Arts) from the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, an Aboriginal Role Model of Alberta (Arts) Award and a WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada Award. One of the songs from Cluster Stars, Song of Heaven, is featured in a short film by Tito Gomez and Barb Briggs called ‘The Healing’ that Sandra debuted as an actor in. Indian in the Child, another Cluster Stars piece, is featured in a theatre production, ‘New Blood, the Dance Show’. One of Ms. Sutter’s reconciliation focused poems, She Is, is published in Sheri-D Wilson’s 2020 legacy Poetry book, YYC Pop. Sandra is the Aboriginal Partnerships Manager for PTW Energy and sits on several Indigenous serving boards and committees across Canada. She lives and breathes the concepts that she thinks, speaks and sings about every day.

https://sandrasutter.com

Lynne Hanson

Panda Cave Records

Canada

"Somewhere in the heartlands, in a town called 'Americana USA,' nestles a particular variety of singer songwriter. Someone who views a melodic sensibility through the bottom of a whiskey glass. Canadian songstress Lynne Hanson could run for mayor of that town." R2 Magazine - 5 stars? Too tough for folk and too blues-influenced for country, Lynne Hanson’s brand of porch music with a little red dirt can turn on a dime from a sunshine, blue sky ballad to a full on thunderstorm of gritty Americana swamp from one song to the next. Her hard living music has garnered her the nickname “Canada’s Own Queen of Americana.” And while her deep, bluesy croon has drawn comparisons to Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch, it’s the poetry of her lyrics that really sets her apart. ?“A contemporary blend of both mainstream hip & retro musicality … Her voice potentiates popular music with modern sensitivity that’s effective & assertive … Lynne Hanson is that good an artist.” - Americana Highways Hanson is known for her high energy, roots guitar driven live performances, whether playing solo or with her band the Good Intentions. She has an uncanny way of connecting with her audience with an authenticity that is as entertaining as it is disarming. ?“On stage Hanson has a wonderful charm and disarming sense of humour … a spontaneity and honesty that enchants.” - Americana UK The prolific songwriter has released eight studio albums along with two books of poetry over her 16 year solo career. She’s toured extensively across North America, Europe and the UK, and appeared at leading international festivals including Take Root (Netherlands), Glasgow Americana (Scotland), Maverick Festival (UK), Kerrville Folk Festival (US), and Winnipeg Folk Festival (Canada). She has also toured as support for Grammy-nominated artists like Gretchen Peters, Steve Forbert and Albert Lee. ?“That performance from Lynne Hanson was worth waiting for. It was different, yet mightily satisfying for those hooked in the magnetic appeal of songwriters sharing their valued craft. It underlined the versatility of this Canadian who you feel could grace any arena in a folk, country and rock scene.” - Three Chords And The Truth (UK) Lynne Hanson released her ninth album Ice Cream In November in April 2022. ?

http://www.lynnehanson.com

Vivianne Roy

Les Hay Babies

Canada

Les Hay Babies are three authentic, funny and easygoing Acadian girls, who are first and foremost, great friends. While they often find it difficult to take one another seriously, there is little doubt about how serious Les Hay Babies are about creating infectious, and often thought-provoking, music. The band’s influences may surprise you. Musically, they draw from familiar elements of folk and rock, while also constructing a sonic atmosphere that allows for the embrace of comedy, fashion…and even pizza rolls. Eight years into their career, the girls’ artistic direction is as sharp, and fluid, as ever. Since their formation, Les Hay Babies have carved a unique path that that is always rooted in a deep affection and respect for one another. This adulation is apparent when those three harmonious voices carve out infectious rhythms and lyrics, and the listener is rewarded with an experience they won’t soon forget. Since the release of their 2012 EP Folio, the band has been touring. Life on the road inspired them to write their debut album Mon Homesick Heart (2014), a heartfelt record that embraced indie-folk and country music. The album yielded accolades in the form of awards and nominations, including three nominations at the ADISQ Gala in 2014, the “Francophone Singer-Songwriter of the Year” award at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and “Francophone Album of the Year” at the 2015 East Coast Music Awards. Their heighted notoriety brought invitations to play at Parliament Hill in celebration of Canada Day 2016, and a performance at the Canada Games in 2017. The trio’s sophomore album, the 70s and 80s-inspired La 4e dimension (version longue), gave the band their fourth ADISQ nomination, and took them on an adventure across the globe with their dynamic, and often humorous, live shows. On their third record, Boîte aux lettres, Les Hay Babies are embracing simplicity. With years of touring under their belts, they’ve mastered their instruments and have grown into well-established musicians. Vivianne, Julie and Katrine, the group’s three songwriters, switch among a variety of instruments including guitars, bass and even drums. Additionally, Les Hay Babies are surrounded by talented musicians on stage to present a fully realized concept show, as authentic as it is meticulousness.

http://www.leshaybabies.com/

Ben Sures

Canada

Bio: Ben Sures is a guitar player who tells great stories in song. A natural performer with an instinct for humour and storytelling. Ben Sures writes songs about everything from imaginary rayguns to sandwiches prepared for him by his father when he was a child visiting on weekends. Sures is immersed in the history of roots music, the old traditions informing this contemporary songwriter’s music. His most recent album ‘The Story That Lived Here’ was number one for consecutive weeks on the CKUA radio chart and was in the top ten of the national college charts in Canada. Sures is a winner of numerous international songwriting contests. He has performed across Canada, in Beirut, Lebanon and Puerto Vallarta Mexico. Ben Sures is also the author of the children’s book ‘The Boy Who Walked Backwards published by The Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre. some quotes: Ben Sures’s latest release is satisfyingly polished and thought provoking, making a pretence of asking “what’s the point of it all” whilst obliquely pointing out exactly what it’s all about. Life, it’s a series of different relationships – and then an end. So make the most of the bit of time you have. Jonathan Aird, Americana UK 2022 …..Sures is a troubadour of the old-stripe, the Tom Paxton, Tom Rush, Eric Andersen, storytelling singer who can always turn a simple part of life into an entire song. Rich in characters, personality & detail his songs faithfully utilize colourful lyrics many songwriters don’t have in their vocabulary. …….it’s his poignancy, sincerity & “everyman voice” that has the charm. Evident on the title track. Ben mines a vein of songs seldom covered by anyone. This is why his showcase is worthy of attention. Especially since we have lost some great ones like Cohen & Prine. Everyone likes to reminisce. But strong tunes like “No One Will Remember You,” hits hard with the truth. People, in general, have short attention spans & memories. Is it harsh? Yeah. But it’s true & in this song Sures’ vocal sparkles….It’s been a long, strange trip but people like Ben Sures keep the stories alive – to remind us. John Apice Americana Highways 2022

William Lamoureux

So Long Seven

Canada

William Lamoureux is a composer, arranger, producer and musician based in Toronto, Ontario. William specializes in music for film and television, music for online media, contemporary dance music and live music. His compositions combine orchestral, acoustic, electronic and ambient elements, which create immersive and impactful atmospheres that blend perfectly with the narratives presented. In film and television, he composed the music for the critically acclaimed documentary film, Far Far Est, by adventure filmmaker Zacharie Turgeon. The film premiered at the 2020 Banff Mountain Film Festival. He also worked as an arranger and solo violinist for the New Babyl Orchestra, performing for the Hulu streaming platform's original television series, Utopia Falls, with supervisor musical David Hayman, composer Nikhil Seetharam and producer Boi-1da. He also writes jingles for the CBC television/podcast program, Because News, hosted by Gavin Crawford. He also composed the theme music for Gavin Crawford's new podcast, which is scheduled for release in the spring of 2023. In addition to his work in film and television, William's writing can also be heard in commercials commissioned by Sleep Country, The Hudson's Bay Company, Quebec housing company Sinistar, and Gatineau microbrewery Les Brasseurs du Temps, among others. He has been a freelance composer for Vapor Music and Boombox Sound for the past four years. William, in collaboration with Jasper Gahunia, wrote the original soundtrack for the contemporary dance group RUBBERBAND's production, Ever So Slightly. Since its debut in 2018, the show has been very well received across Canada, the United States and Europe. The film ???????? ???? ??????????????? ???????????????/???????????????? ?????????????????? - ????? ??????????, featuring the music of William and Jasper was awarded the “Best Original Music” Prize at the South Film and Arts Academy Festival in Chile. Still with Jasper Gahunia and Stephen Krecklo, he also wrote a musical piece for the Ballets Jazz Montréal’s production Essence entitled We can't forget about what's his name, which premiered in August 2022. As a songwriter, his original compositions for world music quartet So Long Seven contributed to their nomination as Instrumental Group of the Year at the 2019 Folk Music Awards. For So Long Seven's most recent album titled only elephants know her name, released in September 2022, he combines the roles of performer, composer and director. His songs for the Quebec rock group Billy Love Band led to national recognition in the French-Canadian music industry, being chosen to participate in the two most important singer-songwriter showcases, Les Francouvertes and the Festival International of the Chanson de Granby. He won the public choice award at both festivals with his songs. His most recent project, entitled ceryyse, in collaboration with Benaias Lemma, the album je sais qu’au fond de mon âme se trouve un jardin, was very well received in the industry and led to a two-year agreement with the Québec firm Ray-on for image synchronization. Originally from Gatineau, Québec, William Lamoureux studied classical violin at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec in Gatineau under Christian Vachon and Alexandre Da Costa from 2004 to 2013. In September 2013 he moved to Toronto to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Performance violin at Humber College, where he studied violin with Drew Jurecka, improvisation with Alastair Kay, Ted Quinlan, Kirk McDonald & Pat La Barbera, and voice with Denzal Sinclaire & Elaine Overholt. Since making his home in Toronto, he has had the opportunity to work with such acclaimed composers and arrangers as the legendary Nelly Furtado; Grammy Award-nominated/winner producers T-Minus, Gray Hawken, Ido Zmishlany, and Maneesh; artists Wild Rivers, Alessia Cara, Tobias Dray, Hugh Marsh, Kevin Breit and Jasper Gahunia, among others. In addition to a busy schedule of freelance work, William also makes teaching the violin a priority, specializing with young people aged 5 to 12.

https://www.williamlamoureux.com/

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