Artists

  • Artists,  Manitoba

    Artist Spotlight: Kelly Bado

    With influences from her African heritage, la chanson française and American gospel, Kelly’s music crosses cultural barriers to bring people together in joy and hope. Striking vocals and uplifting melodies make for a performance that stays with the audience long after the show is over. Kelly has created a sound and message that is an intoxicating blend of Soul/World/Pop.  In a very short time she has transitioned from local prominence to National exposure. Her debut French language recording entitled “Entre Deux”, produced by award winning writer/producers Norman Dugas, Daniel Roa and Chris Burke-Gaffney has been rewarded with an unprecedented amount of coveted awards. The latest and not the least being…

  • Artists,  British Columbia

    Artist Spotlight: Ursidae

    If folk music is “all the music that fits between the cracks”, then ursidae springs forth from the lush, dark soil that lives between rocks and sidewalk squares. This alt-folk offering is the solo project of Vancouver-based musician Caro Deady. Tapped into tradition, and stirred by the indie folk stylings of Daughter, Bon Iver, and Sharon van Etten, ursidae gives voice to her own stories in her newest release, almost//closer: an EP steeped in dusky blues and the salty waters of lonely love. Tender and whimsical, honest and fierce, ursidae takes listeners on a journey through dreamscapes and back alleys—all the while reminding us that there’s beauty in sadness, that…

  • Luna-Li
    Artists,  Ontario

    Artist Spotlight: Luna Li

    There was never really another option for Toronto’s fiercely feminist rock n’ roll moon fairy Luna Li. “I always knew that I was going to go into music,” she says. Listening to Luna Li is the moment you hang suspended between dream and a haziness, or when you’re dancing through a slight tipsiness. You feel beautiful, confident, happy. This is Luna Li and she’s here to help you love. Luna Li is making changes to create an inclusive and safe music scene for all people. Her shows aim to create a supportive environment where everyone and anyone can feel welcome. This oracular skill of Luna Li has brightened Toronto’s uniform…

  • Les Petites Nouveax
    Artists,  Ontario

    Artist Spotlight: Les Petites Nouveax

    Les Petits Nouveaux is a jazz ensemble who’s music is inspired by the legendary guitarist, Django Reinhardt. While many artists have taken to interpreting the classics of this genre known as Jazz Manouche, Les Petits Nouveaux’s goal is to incorporate modern influences and to bring a fresh sound to a genre that is often approached with traditionalism. Les Petits Nouveaux’s humble beginnings can be traced to the halls of Humber College, where many students discovering their love of Django Reinhardt formed an ensemble to perform his music. Many years have since past, and the spirit of the ensemble now lives on beyond the confines of the institution. ​Now Les Petits…

  • Eekwol and T-Rhyme
    Artists,  Saskatchewan

    Artist Spotlight: Eekwol and T-Rhyme

    For Women By Women (FWBW) is the debut of veteran rappers Eekwol and T-Rhyme, who team up to relay powerful messages about hip hop, Indigenous experience and being women in a new project which is aptly titled. Thanks to a Canada Council for the Arts, they spare no expense in delivering high quality content. They have built up hype around this album and have been invited to perform at festivals and events, such as Show and Prove in Los Angeles, CA, Regina Folk Festival and Sask Music Awards. Being an Indigenous musician is a political act. There is no exception for being women in the hip hop industry. Eekwol has…

  • MONOWHALES
    Artists,  Ontario

    Artist Spotlight: MONOWHALES

    Fueled by a passionate desire to create a sound as unapologetic and powerful as the personalities within the band, MONOWHALES have taken the experiences gained fighting their way up the ranks of Toronto’s music scene and barrelled headlong into the creation of their new EP Control Freak. Exploding onto the scene with a DIY ethos and an unforgettable live show, MONOWHALES first made waves with their breakout single Home in August 2016. The band would go on to share stages with Dear Rouge, K.Flay, Matt and Kim, Coleman Hell, and many more. The band’s new EP Control Freak, released in June 2018, was produced by AL-P (MSTRKRFT, Death From Above…

  • kimmortal
    Artists,  British Columbia

    Artist Spotlight: Kimmortal

    Kimmortal is a queer filipinx second generation settler based on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples: the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, and Musqueam nations. Recognized as “a voice to be heard” by Exclaim magazine, Kimmortal has been making waves with their multifaceted approach to music. Incorporating song, visual art, rap, and frequently collaborating with poets and dancers, Kimmortal strives to make an impact with their live performances. Their new album “X marks the Swirl” was a two year long process of creation that was ranked 1 of 40 in the Polaris 2019 longlist. Kimmortal’s music and art have been featured on CBC’s show “Exhibitionists”, the Queer Women of Colour festival…

  • SF ARTIST DATABASE
    Artists

    A longish list of cis and trans women, trans men, and non binary artists and bands

    When we talk about the idea of gender representation at festivals, bookers often say they “just can’t find” bands or artists, that “there aren’t enough women/trans/non-binary artists,” that they’ve “tried but it’s reeeeeeally hard.” These comments make those bookers look out-of-touch and bad at their job, but we figure that having a database of artists or bands made up of trans and cis women, trans men, and non-binary artists might be helpful, especially to bookers who are looking to improve their lineups and aren’t looking for excuses. So it took us a while, but finally it’s here! Secret Frequency Database of Cis and Trans Women, Trans Men, and Non-Binary artists…

  • PIQSIQ
    Artists,  Northwest Territories,  Nunavut

    Artist Spotlight: PIQSIQ

    With a style perpetually galvanized by darkness and haunting northern beauty, sisters, Tiffany Kuliktana Ayalik and Kayley Inuksuk Mackay, come together to create Inuit style throat singing duo, PIQSIQ.  Performing ancient traditional songs and eerie new compositions, they leave their listeners enthralled with the infinity of possible answers to the question “what is the meaning of life.”  With roots in Nunavut’s Kitikmeot and Kivalliq Regions, the sisters grew up in Yellowknife, NWT, where endless sunlight shines for two short summer months and deep, wintery darkness consumes the rest of the year.  These environmental extremes had a huge impact on Tiffany and Kayley’s overall aesthetic and the pair have always engrossed…

  • Laila Biali
    Artists,  Ontario

    Artist Spotlight: Laila Biali

    Multi award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist Laila Biali has toured with Chris Botti, Paula Cole, Suzanne Vega and Sting. She has headlined festivals and venues spanning five continents including Carnegie Hall. Her accolades include a 2019 JUNO Award for “Vocal Jazz Album of the Year”, “SOCAN Composer of the Year” and “Keyboardist of the Year” at Canada’s National Jazz Awards, a JUNO nomination for her studio recording Tracing Light, and a spot on DownBeat Magazine’s “Best Albums of the Year” list for her follow-up Live in Concert. In 2015, Laila released her first album of entirely original music, House of Many Rooms – an indie-pop project featuring a star-studded lineup…