= Recipient
While the recipient is listed first, there is no significance to the order of the remaining nominees.
Traditional Album of the Year
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Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira - All It Brings
https://www.jocelynandellen.com/Joining forces in 2018, Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira were already two well-established musicians, who found together a kindred musical spirit. With Jocelyn on fiddle and Ellen on cello, they push boundaries between traditional and contemporary genres to create a powerfully uplifting and soulful performance.
On stage, their instruments weave a rhythmic, textured sound with nuanced fiddle-cello interplay. FolkWorld Magazine calls them “A dazzling duo!”. They have been gracing stages and delighting audiences in North America and the UK with their album, All It Brings. FolkWales Magazine exclaims, “Wonderful, captivating… the most joyous and uplifting album in the entire galaxy.”
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The Bookends with the Stratford Symphony Orchestra - A Celtic Celebration
http://thebookends.caFrom foot-stomping reels to soaring airs, audiences are on a musical adventure with The Bookends. These multi-instrumentalists explore the library of traditional gems and contemporary favourites from the Celtic world and draw on their diverse musical backgrounds to craft a compelling repertoire with distinct arrangements and original compositions.
The band released their first album, Chapter One in April 2020, followed in January 2023 with A Celtic Celebration, recorded live with the Stratford Symphony Orchestra.
In the summer of 2023, The Bookends are joining internationally acclaimed artist, Loreena McKennitt in a series of rare performances at select folk festivals in Ontario. -
Mary Beth Carty - Crossing the Causeway
http://www.marybethcarty.comAccordionist, guitarist, and player of pocket-sized instruments, Mary Beth Carty of Nova Scotia is known for her entertaining live shows and memorable voice. Carty’s second solo album, Crossing the Causeway, fuses traditional pieces, instrumental tunes, and original songs to create a multilingual tour-de-force that reflects the diverse yet unified roots of her region. Carty’s first solo album, Les biens-nommés, was nominated at the East Coast Music Awards in 2018 and led to invitations to perform across Canada, on cruise ships, and around the world (Rwanda, Austria, Italy, etc). She previously performed internationally with acclaimed folk duo Bette & Wallet.
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Meredith Moon - Constellations
https://www.meredithmoon.com/A five-Time Mariposa Folk Festival performer, hiding her lineage with the simple description as a “multi instrumentalist songwriter,” Meredith’s songs are crafted in a true storyteller’s fashion. Growing up in a musical family is not uncommon for many emerging artists, but for Meredith Moon, living in the shadow of her father Gordon Lightfoot’s spotlight, the expectations were onerous. So for the past decade Meredith kept a low profile, taking time to develop her songwriting, practicing and performing her songs in folk clubs and online forums incognito, wherever there was an appreciative audience to be found.
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La Déferlance - Le feu aux poudres
https://www.ladeferlance.comLa Déferlance deliver straight-ahead trad music in a dynamic contemporary style. Alongside imaginative arrangements of lively dance tunes and traditional songs, the band’s repertoire features many original compositions. Since 2018, they have been wowing audiences with energetic performances at concerts and dances throughout Québec. Recently they explored a new musical avenue, joining forces with an orchestra to perform symphonic arrangements of pieces from their first album, Le feu aux poudres. La Déferlance are now playing shows outside Québec and are currently working on their second album.
Contemporary Album of the Year
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William Prince - Stand in the Joy
https://www.williamprincemusic.comGuided by a practical yet profound gratitude, William Prince’s songs convey the power of wonder and humility. Over four albums, from his award-winning debut, Earthly Days, through his latest release, Stand in the Joy, Prince’s discography finds its steadying, timeless appeal in his rich voice and assured restraint.
Prince has also collaborated with many of Canada’s most esteemed artists, including Buffy Sainte-Marie, The Tragically Hip and Serena Ryder. With a career marked by accolades and milestones, from an opening slot for Neil Young to a JUNO Award, Prince has taken his deserved place on the national stage.
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Terra Spencer & Ben Caplan - Old News
https://terraspencer.ca/Nominated for 2022 Canadian Folk Music Contemporary Singer of the Year, Nova Scotian funeral director-turned-songwriter Terra Spencer has quickly crafted a catalogue of startlingly intimate songs, marrying fingerstyle guitar, gospel piano, and her butterscotch voice with sly humour and ’70s wood-paneled warmth. Terra’s third album, Old News, was created with Ben Caplan and celebrated with cross-Canada and UK tours. She will join David Francey on tour in 2023 for his upcoming album release. In a room of 5 or 500, every show is a knee-to-knee conversation with a natural storyteller. “The real deal.” – Ron Sexsmith
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The East Pointers - House of Dreams
Prince Edward Island’s The East Pointers continue to redefine the ever-evolving genre – indie folk – with Billboard-worthy pop hooks, deep acoustic groove, and trance-like trad breakdowns. Already internationally acknowledged as musical trailblazers, their latest EP House Of Dreams was nominated for a JUNO Award earlier this year, won Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year, Group Recording of the Year, and Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year, and Pop Recording of the Year at the 2023 East Coast Music Awards. Their debut album Secret Victory won the 2017 JUNO Award for Traditional Roots Recording of the Year.
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Lynn Miles - TumbleWeedyWorld
https://lynnmiles.ca/homeLynn has 15 albums to her credit. She won a Juno award (Canadian Grammy)in 2003 for Roots Traditional Album of the year, and went on to be nominated in the same categories in 2011 and 2006. She is also the recipient of 6 Canadian Folk Music Awards including 3 for songwriter of the year. Her 2 most recent awards we given to her duo THE LYNNeS for songwriters of the year, and ensemble of the year at the 2018 Canadian Folk Music Awards. In 2016, She has produced 5 albums for other artists including two critically acclaimed albums by her duo partner Lynne Hanson.
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NQ Arbuckle - Love Songs For The Long Game
https://sixshooterrecords.com/artists/nq-arbuckle/NQ Arbuckle is a Toronto songwriter and namesake of a twice JUNO Award nominated Toronto band. His 2002 Six Shooter cult classic debut “Hanging The Battle-Scarred Pinata” launched a fervent fanbase devoted to shouting his lyrics back at him, an impressive collection of print clippings, and a touring career that brought NQ Arbuckle from Italy to Northern Alberta, Huntsville to Nashville. On his latest release, “Love Songs For The Long Game”, NQ Arbuckle searches for balance between constancy and recklessness, and finds his place writing seafarer songs for drinking on dry land, for our labours of love large and small.
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Tami Neilson - Kingmaker
https://www.tamineilson.comHonours for Tami Neilson include a Contemporary Roots Album of the Year JUNO nomination, winning the APRA Silver Scroll Award, and multiple AMA NZ Music Award wins. Tami’s latest album, Kingmaker, earned a record breaking 7 nominations for the 2023 AMAs. Featuring a duet with Willie Nelson, Kingmaker has earned shining coverage worldwide, including acclaim from The Guardian, MOJO and American Songwriter, No Depression (“The Album of the Year”), Rolling Stone, NPR, +more. The album reached #25 on US Americana Radio, #1 at CKUA Radio, has accumulated more than 2M streams across platforms, and Tami has accrued more than 17M streams across catalogue.
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Jill Barber - Homemaker
https://www.jillbarber.comHaving spent the last 20 years playing nearly every folk/jazz festival in Canada, captivating audiences in Japan, Europe, Australia, Mexico, South America, USA, & the Middle East, & accruing over 150 million streams across platforms, 3 time JUNO nominee Jill Barber, with Homemaker, delivers quietly profound songs about the complexities of motherhood, marriage, & the struggle to feel at home in one’s own identity. Homemaker is a return to Gold Record Certified Barber’s folk roots. While her most recent albums have been bathed in lush string arrangements, Homemaker sees emotions laid bare, reminiscent of acclaimed debut Oh Heart and double JUNO nominated For All Time.
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The Sadies - Colder Streams
http://www.thesadies.netWithout doubt or qualification, The Sadies are one of this continent’s greatest extant rock ’n’ roll bands — just as they have been for the last quarter-century. Versatile and imaginative, they skip from astral psychedelia to shuffling bucolics and leap from puckish pop to righteous garage-rock without losing momentum or mastery. Their albums deliver masterclasses on pointed songwriting, lockstep harmonies, and a devil-may-care attitude to expectations and past successes. With their new album – Colder Streams – out now, check out what Shindig Magazine calls “a stone-cold masterpiece”.
Children’s Album of the Year
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Ginalina - Going Back: Remembered and Remixed Family Folk Songs
http://www.rememberedandremixed.comGinalina is a family-folk singer-songwriter best known for her warm, winsome, and catchy music themed on nature, love, community, and the intersections between them.
From 2015 to 2019 she released four albums that received 3 Juno and 4 Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, and 2 Western Canadian Music Awards. In 2021, her anthem Small But Mighty was one of 25 songs selected for the National Music in the Classroom Challenge.
Ginalina’s latest album celebrates Asian-Canadian heritage and cultural friendship with songs in English, Mandarin, and Taiwanese, and an imaginative medley of instruments including guitar, banjo, Chinese erhu, and 21-string guzheng.
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Darrelle London - Primary
http://www.darrellelondon.comDarrelle’s children’s album, Primary, carries listeners on a journey through a colourful world of curiosity, creativity, and laughter.
After turning down law school to pursue a music career, Darrelle spent a decade making her mark on the college and festival circuit across North America. Highlights include performing at iconic venues such as Hollywood’s Troubadour Club and Nashville’s Bluebird Café, collaborating with her favourite artists such as Chantal Kreviazuk, and being chosen by Sarah McLachlan to perform atLilith Fair.
Primary features recurring themes of art, creativity, awe at the natural world, and a healthy dose of silliness! -
The Relative Minors - Minor Third
http://therelativeminors.caThe Relative Minors is an indie band for kids. In 2011, Kier and Matt Robertshaw—a couple of fun-loving musicians and educators—started writing children’s songs and staging performances in libraries. They offer a fresh take on the children’s music genre by combining eclectic instrumentation, lyrics ranging from the poetic to the absurd, and an enduring respect for their audience. They have been featured on radio programs and podcasts, they have received a CFMA nomination and a song-writing award from Folk Music Ontario. They hope to inspire a love of music and creativity to a new generation of artists.
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Mr Ben - Here Comes the Train
http://www.mrbensmusic.caAfter years of playing horns in Toronto pop bands, an auspicious gig in 2011 opening for Fred Penner set Mr. Ben in his current course as a children’s musician. Since then he has released 6 full-length kids records, the latest of which is called “Here Comes the Train,” and features 12 new songs influenced by nature, the seasons, and his teaching practice, which moved outdoors for more than a year during the pandemic.
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The Swinging Belles - Welcome to the Flea Circus
http://theswingingbelles.caThe Swinging Belles are a CFMA and Juno winning swing band from St John’s, NL who focus on creating music for the young and the young at heart. At the core of the Swinging Belles philosophy is the belief that children are brilliant and beautiful beings that respond to and are inspired by music that celebrates their intelligence, their innate musicality and their expansive imagination. They work hard to create an interactive, high energy show that hopes to inspire these budding creatives to celebrate their individuality and to follow their own passions and interests wherever they may lead.
Traditional Singer of the Year
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Mary Beth Carty - Crossing the Causeway
http://www.marybethcarty.comAccordionist, guitarist, and player of pocket-sized instruments, Mary Beth Carty of Nova Scotia is known for her entertaining live shows and memorable voice. Carty’s second solo album, Crossing the Causeway, fuses traditional pieces, instrumental tunes, and original songs to create a multilingual tour-de-force that reflects the diverse yet unified roots of her region. Carty’s first solo album, Les biens-nommés, was nominated at the East Coast Music Awards in 2018 and led to invitations to perform across Canada, on cruise ships, and around the world (Rwanda, Austria, Italy, etc). She previously performed internationally with acclaimed folk duo Bette & Wallet.
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François-Félix Roy - Peines perdues
https://www.francoisfelixroy.comFrançois-Félix Roy is a new and refreshing face rising in the Québécois traditional music scene. His unique approach combines the liveliness of traditional music with the nuance and subtlety folksingers are known for. From spirited war songs to introspective laments, his skillful guitar playing is empowered by the vibrancy of typical French-Canadian foot percussion. He has performed on stages such as the National Theater of Genoa (Italy) together with Italian virtuoso Beppe Gambetta.
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La Yeni - Yarrow Under the Moon
http://www.yarrowunderthemoon.comLa Yeni was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and grew up in the U.K., Canada, The U.S. and Spain, born to Canadian parents. She studied classical piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music from the age of three, began songwriting when she was 12, and studied with voice guru, Katie Agresta. She wrote, recorded and performed her music during her high school years, and worked with Skip Drinkwater, Phil Nicolo, Eric Bazilian, and others, and performed with Valdy in North Vancouver. La Yeni released her debut album which received Best Debut Album from Folk ‘N Rock.
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Hannah Shira Naiman - The Wheels Won't Go
http://www.hannahshiranaiman.comNamed Traditional Singer of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards for her album “Know the Mountain” (2017), Hannah Shira Naiman is a young Canadian performer with an old Appalachian soul. This multi-instrumentalist/songwriter is celebrated for breathing new life into traditional music. She combines her prowess for songwriting with exquisite musicianship to craft exciting contemporary versions of the songs and stories she was raised on. Whether live in concert, penning a murder ballad, or calling a square dance, Hannah Shira Naiman is uniquely positioned to make an indelible mark on the Canadian music landscape.
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Tianna Lefebvre (of Jackson Hollow) - Roses
http://jacksonhollowmusic.comSince signing with Virginia-based Mountain Fever Records and showcasing at 2021 IBMA World of Bluegrass, BC-based Jackson Hollow has enjoyed significant momentum leading into its 2023 debut album, “Roses”.
Their first single, “Travelin’ Heart”, reached #10 on US Bluegrass Today Charts as September’s 2nd most played song on Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction. Next, “Shallow Rivers” reached #6 on the Roots Music Report, #12 on Bluegrass Today, and #3 among Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction’s most-played monthly singles, receiving a 2022 Josie Award nomination.
Through its timeless, authentic sound, BC-based Jackson Hollow continues to connect with people across generations and borders.
Contemporary Singer of the Year
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Suzie Vinnick - Fall Back home
http://www.suzievinnick.comA Saskatoon native transplanted to the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada, Suzie Vinnick is the proud owner of a gorgeous voice, impressive guitar and bass chops and an engagingly candid performance style. Suzie has won 11 Maple Blues Awards, 1 Canadian Folk Music Award and is a 3X Juno Nominee. She has also twice won the International Songwriting Competition – Blues Category. She released her seventh solo album entitled “Fall Back Home” in September 2022.
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Julian Taylor - Beyond The Reservoir
https://juliantaylormusic.ca/With a soulful voice and captivating stage presence, Julian Taylor is a unique and important voice on the Canadian roots-and-folk scene. His unique blend of blues, roots, country, and folk music has earned him a growing fanbase and critical acclaim.
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Terra Spencer (of Terra Spencer & Ben Caplan) - Old News
https://terraspencer.ca/Nominated for 2022 Canadian Folk Music Contemporary Singer of the Year, Nova Scotian funeral director-turned-songwriter Terra Spencer has quickly crafted a catalogue of startlingly intimate songs, marrying fingerstyle guitar, gospel piano, and her butterscotch voice with sly humour and ’70s wood-paneled warmth. Terra’s third album, Old News, was created with Ben Caplan and celebrated with cross-Canada and UK tours. She will join David Francey on tour in 2023 for his upcoming album release. In a room of 5 or 500, every show is a knee-to-knee conversation with a natural storyteller. “The real deal.” – Ron Sexsmith
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Kaeley Jade - Turpentine
https://kaeleyjade.comKaeley Jade is a Métis singer/songwriter, actor, and multidisciplinary artist based in Edmonton, Alberta (amiskwaciwâskahikan). Blending lush imagery and hooky melodic lines to create her own brand of pop-forward indie folk music, Kaeley Jade has performed at venues and festivals across Canada. Past performances include JUNOfest, BreakOut West, and NXNE, and she has shared the stage with Digging Roots, Delhi 2 Dublin, and Grammy-winner Bill “Birdsong” Miller. Kaeley moves between ballads and bops with ease, and she brings an electricity to the stage whether she is playing an intimate acoustic set or playing alongside her full five-piece band.
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Joe Nolan - Lost Verses
https://www.joenolanmusic.comJoe Nolan has been building on his reputation as a formidable Americana singer-songwriter since his first solo release, Goodbye Cinderella, more than a decade ago. He has accumulated accolades along his journey. From working with stand-out producer Colin Linden to having senator Tommy Banks play piano on Cry Baby, he’s charted across Canada’s !earshot charts, and was nominated for a 2021 CFMA, after winning a couple of Cobalt songwriting prizes. With 2022’s Lost Verses, his ascension continues with a raw, self-produced set of songs that bring us into his most personal recording yet.
Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year
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Aaron Collis - Before Daylight in the Morning
http://aaroncollis.comA multi-instrumentalist and singer from Appleton, Newfoundland, Aaron Collis is best known as one of the finest exponents of the island’s rich tradition of button accordion playing. His virtuosity, as well as his vast repertoire of music collected in the outport communities of Newfoundland, have quickly garnered him a reputation as one of the province’s outstanding interpreters of traditional music. Aaron has brought the music of his home province to stages throughout North America, the U.K, Ireland, Australia, and the Caribbean as a member of The Dardanelles and 2021 Juno Award Nominees Rum Ragged.
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Paul Pike - Echoes Of Our Ancestors
http://paulpike.hearnow.comPaul is a Mi’kmaw artist who has toured and performed professionally for over 30 years and has created a unique flavor of Contemporary Indigenous Music. As the composer and vocalist for the Canyon Records award winning group Medicine Dream and as a solo artist. Paul plays a variety of instruments, and while he is most known for his guitar playing and singing, he also plays the traditional drum and the Pipukwaqn (Mi’kmaw flute). Discography, 4 recordings- Medicine Dream recordings (Mawio’mi, Tomegan Gospem, and Learning to Fly), and his most recent self titled release; “Echoes of our Ancestors”.
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Steve Dawson - Phantom Threshold
http://www.stevedawson.caAward-winning guitarist, engineer and producer Steve Dawson released 3 albums over the last year. The second of these, “Phantom Threshold” is a moody and unique instrumental exploration of the pedal steel guitar – a very difficult, yet expressive instrument to play. The compositions are lyrical and captivating, and the interplay between the creative musicians hand-picked for the project is remarkable. The performances are loose, funky and improvisational. Jay Bellerose on drums, Chris Gestrin on keyboards, and Jeremy Holmes on bass make up The Telescope 3, and together they have created some of the most intriguing instrumental music of the year.
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Don Ross - Water
http://donrossonline.comDon Ross is originally from Montreal and started playing guitar at the age of eight. He received his BFA in Music from York University and then embarked on a career as a composer, recording artist and touring musician that now spans over three decades. During the pandemic, he studied online and received an MA in Orchestration from the University of Chichester (UK). Since 1989 he has released 17 solo albums and numerous collaborative albums. in 2021 he won the Walter Carson Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts, administered by the Canada Council for the Arts.
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Troy McLaggan - Wood, Steel & Bones
http://troymclaggan.caIt’s been a long time coming. Troy McLaggan is about to share his genius as a composer of solo acoustic instrumentals with his album Wood, Steel and Bones. All ten tracks are anchored by memorable melodies and spectacular technique.
Troy’s heart has always been in acoustic guitar and as the legendary guitarist/composer Don Ross, who plays Dobro on one track, says: “It’s great to see and hear Troy getting out there and sharing his music with the world. He’s a fine guitarist, and a talented composer. … Big congrats to him, and lucky us.” -
Joy Lapps - Girl In The Yard
https://www.joylapps.com/Internationally lauded artist and composer Joy Lapps activates spaces for community building and creative expression. The award-winning instrumentalist of Antiguan and Barbudan descent treats the steelpan as a tool for engagement, anchoring her artistry in a profound, community-centered folk musical tradition.
As a leader, Joy has appeared at music festivals across Canada including Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Victoria, Edmonton, and Halifax Jazz Festivals and the Muthadi International Drumming Festival.Her repertoire teems with Afro-Caribbean- and Afro-Brazilian-inspired rhythmic and harmonic patterns, garlands of melody and plenty of space for spontaneity.
Instrumental Group of the Year
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Queen Kong - Fray
http://www.queenkongtoronto.comLed by Toronto drummer, composer, Lorie Wolf, Queen Kong seamlessly blends Ashkenazi Jewish idiom with jazz, funk and rock to explore new sounds and ideas. They have been featured at the Toronto Jazz Festival, Ashkenaz Festival, BLOK Festival of Slavic Music, Parry Sound Festival and Jewish Music Week, and will be touring Western Canada in Fall of 2023.
“…an elegant statement on joining together two disparate traditions into something organic, upholding the essence of both. With Fray, the melancholy joy of Eastern European Jewish music takes on the fluid rhythms and improvisational direction of jazz…” David Luhrssen – Shepherd Express -
Vinta - Beacons
http://www.vintamusic.comVinta is Nathan Smith, Emilyn Stam, John David Williams, and Robert Alan Mackie, four brilliant performers and close friends at the cutting edge of European traditional music in Canada. Nearly a decade of these four musicians hanging out at fiddle jams around Toronto has culminated in this quartet, bringing new intensity to old tunes, and growing new tunes from old sources. A band of multi-instrumentalists and genuine scholars, Vinta is making music that is powerful, profound, and fiercely danceable.
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So Long Seven - only elephants know her name
http://www.solongseven.comSo Long Seven, a delicious mix of jazz, classical, blues, folk, and music from around the world, is both a funky, relentless force and an atmospheric cornucopia of sound. Nestled in the rhythmic drive of tabla player Ravi Naimpally, Neil Hendry (guitar), William Lamoureux (violin), and Tim Posgate (banjo) create an aural space beyond boundaries. The quartet references several global traditions including musical forms of India, Europe, Africa and the many traditions of the Americas, in a unique and cohesive cultural bridge.
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Archetype Trad - Explorer
http://www.archetypetrad.comArchetype Trad is a dynamic duo of fiddlers and violinists Kate Bevan-Baker and Émilie Brûlé. Inspired by their mutual love for traditional music, they explore repertoire from Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, as well as returning to the sources that greatly influenced Canadian fiddling repertoire: music from Scotland, Ireland and England. Highly original in nature, Archetype Trad combines tunes that are centuries old with modern compositions and arrangements. Repertoire from their CD, Explorer, has been featured on many radio broadcasts, on tour, and at notable festival performances including Under the Spire, Mémoire et Racines, and the Sutton Fiddle Festival.
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Medusa - Medusa
http://www.medusaquartet.comWielding a sound that would turn classical music scholars to stone, Medusa is reimagining the Western string quartet. By inviting back traditional folk fiddles previously regarded as too ugly for “polite society,” the band tempts us to redefine what is beautiful. Medusa cross-pollinates the sounds of Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, Celtic, Appalachian, and Eastern European music, as well as original tunes, to create something new. Instead of the rejected, snake-haired Gorgon that legend has painted her as, the band sees Medusa as a symbol of vision, power, and inclusivity. Medusa is: Georgia Hathaway, Lea Kirstein, Marta Sołek, and Saskia Tomkins.
English Songwriter(s) of the Year
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Jacob Brodovsky - I Love You and I'm Sorry
http://www.jacobbrodovsky.comJacob Brodovsky (he/him) is a singer-songwriter, guitar player, college radio host, and summer camp director from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Treaty One Territory. Jacob is a champion for Winnipeg’s local music scene, and hosts “Let’s Play DJ” a weekly interview show for local musicians to talk about music they like on CKUW. When not writing songs, he runs a children’s summer camp with his wife in Lake of the Woods, Ontario and spoils his rescue dog, Lucy.
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Tim Chaisson, Koady Chaisson, Jake Charron, Colin MacDonald, Carleton Stone (of The East Pointers) - House of Dreams
Prince Edward Island’s The East Pointers continue to redefine the ever-evolving genre – indie folk – with Billboard-worthy pop hooks, deep acoustic groove, and trance-like trad breakdowns. Already internationally acknowledged as musical trailblazers, their latest EP House Of Dreams was nominated for a JUNO Award earlier this year, won Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year, Group Recording of the Year, and Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year, and Pop Recording of the Year at the 2023 East Coast Music Awards. Their debut album Secret Victory won the 2017 JUNO Award for Traditional Roots Recording of the Year.
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Dave Gunning - The Same Storm
https://www.davegunning.com/Dave Gunning, one of Canada’s favourite folk musicians and wordsmiths shares his 12th album The Same Storm. Over the last two decades, Dave Gunning has earned a reputation for being a great storyteller and engaging performer who has the ability to take listeners on a musical journey through his songs. Dave’s material delves into the lives of heroes and underdogs, celebrates family and the heart, and reflects messaging of social justice and caring for the world around us.
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Noah Derksen - Sanctity of Silence
http://www.noahderksen.comCanadian Folk Music’s 2021 Emerging Artist of the Year, Noah Derksen is quickly becoming known as a songwriter’s songwriter. Hailing from the heart of the Canadian Prairies, Noah has spent years honing his craft up, down, and across North America. With a rich and soulful voice, Noah weaves poetry that sounds instantly familiar on first listen. He currently lives in Winnipeg.
Noah’s new album—Sanctity of Silence—follows the arc of love, produced by multi Juno-winner Murray Pulver.
Plus, Noah’s got long, flowing auburn hair and a twinkle in his eye. What’s not to love? -
Noah Zacharin - Points of Light
http://noahsong.comNoah Zacharin began playing guitar at the age of 10 and writing songs at 14.
He has released nine critically acclaimed, multi-genre CD’s of original music, and has some 65 credits as producer and/or player on recordings by other artists worldwide.
As a performer he has shared the stage with David Lindley, Jesse Winchester, and Odetta, and toured with Eliades Ochoa (Buena Vista Social Club).
He is also an award-winning poet and translator.
Born in Montreal, Zacharin makes his home–when not on the road—on an acreage north of Madoc, Ontario. -
Luke Doucet, Melissa McClelland (of Whitehorse) - I'm Not Crying, You're Crying
https://www.whitehorsemusic.caWhitehorse is the prolific partnership of Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet. Uninhibited by expectation, boldly adventurous and categorically talented, Whitehorse’s signature sound is always guitar-heavy, harmony-plentiful and lyrically deft. With an expansive run of records, Whitehorse have pushed their musical identity into new realms and sounds for over a decade. The duo’s remarkable staying power through eight full-length albums, multiple EPs, and five consecutive Juno Award nominations is a defining feature of their partnership. What began as a risky idea, channeling two successful solo careers into one, has grown into a full-blown creative union with odds-beating longevity.
French Songwriter(s) of the Year
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Aleksi Campagne, Michelle Campagne (of Aleksi Campagne) - For The Giving / Sans rien donner
https://www.aleksicampagne.comAleksi Campagne is uniquely qualified to offer a contemporary, indie-folk take on the time-honoured fiddle-singing tradition. At five years old, he began performing alongside his mother, Canadian folk icon, Connie Kaldor. At nineteen, Aleksi moved to Paris to study under Jazz-violin legend Didier Lockwood. Aleksi is now launching his fully bilingual debut album For the Giving / Sans rien donner–10 tracks in English and the same 10 tracks in French. Campagne’s edgy multi-layered indie-folk sound boasts a powerful voice and rich songwriting, all while accompanying himself on the violin and seamlessly switching between english and french.
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Catherine Durand - La maison orpheline
http://www.catherinedurand.comCatherine Durand has been a true artisan of folk music for the past 20 years.
She has been rewarded at the Canadian Folk Music Awards once, for her album “Coeurs Migratoires”, and received many others nominations at ADISQ over her 23 years carreer.
Her latest album, “la maison orpheline” takes the artist’s great sensitivity even further with dense and ethereal orchestrations, an album hailed by critics and co-produced with Vincent Legault.
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Catherine-Audrey Lachapelle, Léandre Joly-Pelletier (of Veranda) - Là-bas
https://www.verandamusic.com/Veranda est la collaboration entre la comédienne Catherine-Audrey Lachapelle et le musicien Léandre Joly-Pelletier. Le duo propose un parfait mélange d’influences, accordant habilement country, folk et bluegrass, et navigue à merveille entre la simplicité du vieux country et la virtuosité du bluegrass, offrant des mélodies riches rehaussées par un travail harmonique raffiné.
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Marie-Ève Laure - Reviens
https://www.marieevelaure.com/Discovered in 2019 with her debut album “Onze,” she received accolades: nominated in the Country Album category at the ADISQ Gala and awarded Songwriter of the Year at the CFMA. Recently, she participated in “The Voice” (France), marking her first appearance in France. In June 2022, Marie-Ève Laure released a new song and presented her second album “Reviens,” imbued with folk influences and the fresh air of the Îles de la Madeleine. This album took her on her first Roseq Été tour and allowed her to showcase her performance to Canadian East and West broadcasters.
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Éric Dion, André Lavergne (of Dans l'Shed) - La nouvelle saison
https://www.danslshed.ca/Éric Dion and André Lavergne have been musical accomplices for over 20 years. In 2013, these Gaspesians decided to create the Dans l’Shed project. Since then, they have released 6 albums. In recent years, Éric Dion and André Lavergne have played in Europe, Louisiana, Quebec and the rest of Canada.
On stage, they share their joie de vivre and musical complicity. Thanks to their mastery of their respective instruments (guitars, dobro, banjo, lap steel), they perform Americana folk-inspired compositions with country-blues accents and colorful improvised sections! Their songs tell rural stories through characters in whom everyone can identify.
Indigenous Songwriter(s) of the Year
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Kaeley Jade Wiebe (of Kaeley Jade) - Turpentine
https://kaeleyjade.comKaeley Jade is a Métis singer/songwriter, actor, and multidisciplinary artist based in Edmonton, Alberta (amiskwaciwâskahikan). Blending lush imagery and hooky melodic lines to create her own brand of pop-forward indie folk music, Kaeley Jade has performed at venues and festivals across Canada. Past performances include JUNOfest, BreakOut West, and NXNE, and she has shared the stage with Digging Roots, Delhi 2 Dublin, and Grammy-winner Bill “Birdsong” Miller. Kaeley moves between ballads and bops with ease, and she brings an electricity to the stage whether she is playing an intimate acoustic set or playing alongside her full five-piece band.
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Geneviève Toupin (of Willows) - Maison vent
https://www.willowsmusique.com/Geneviève Toupin revealed herself in 2014 through an alter ego: Willows. In a delicate folk blend of acoustic instruments and vocal harmonies resonating in both French and English, the singer-songwriter creates an authentic work. She is also a founding member of the electro-pop group CHANCE.
Her new album, Maison vent, was released in March 2023. This collection of personal songs speaks first of all about women: the women in her life, both those who preceded her and her experience as a woman and Métis. from the Red River of Franco-Manitoban origin, now a resident of Montreal. -
Cynthia Hamar - Joint & Marrow
https://www.cynthiahamar.com/“Cynthia Hamar is a folk musician who composes music that is menacing, powerful, and contemplative” (Music Arena Gh, 2022); an Alberta-born Métis singer-songwriter with four studio albums that prove her dedication to her craft. Hamar recently completed a Bachelor of Music at MacEwan University with distinction majoring in Recording and Production. Hamar’s newest album “Joint & Marrow” was released on Neon Moon Records September 2022 charting on earshot! The National Top 50 Chart, The National Folk/Roots/Blues Chart and finished the year off at #26 on CKUA top 100 for 2022.
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Qattuu - Midnight Sun
https://www.hitmakerz.com/qattuuevicQattuu is an Ontario-based, Inuk throat-singer, originally from Pangnirtung, Nunavut. She is known for her work as a throat singer with multi-JUNO award nominated musical group, Silla and Rise. As a soloist, Qattuu has experience performing internationally, representing her Inuit culture on world stages performing in Paris, France and Brussels and Belgium where she was a designated throat singer attending Nunavut Sivuniksavut. In the Philippines, Qattuu was a soloist, representing all Inuit from Canada in a conference held in Davao city and Manila, where she held demonstrations of Inuit drumming and throat singing.
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Kyle McKearney - A Traveler's Lament
http://imkylemckearney.comKyle McKearney has continued to deliver excellence since the release of his debut album, “Down-Home”. His sophomore album “A Traveler’s Lament” has been met with an impressive 22x award nominations to date, including 4x recent Canadian Country Music Award nominations for 2023. Earlier this year Kyle also celebrated being named the Canadian Folk Music Awards’ “Contemporary Singer of the Year”, marking his first ever national award win. Look out for more from Kyle as he works towards creating record #3, announcing tours and performing in select markets internationally.
Vocal Group of the Year
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The Bombadils - Dear Friend
https://thebombadils.com/homeMaking their home in the foggy port city of Halifax, Canada, The Bombadils are folk darlings Sarah Frank and Luke Fraser plus guests from their extended musical family. They offer emotionally stirring lyrics with intertwining string-band arrangements, and tinges of bluegrass. Canadian arts journalist Bob Mersereau calls it “folk tunes done with musical adventure and sophistication” and Elmore Magazine, “an enchanting folk romp.”
Tour highlights include Koerner Hall (Toronto), Tivoli Gardens (Denmark), and Wintergrass festival (USA). Their newest album, Dear Friend, recorded between pandemic lockdowns and daycare pick-ups, is a series of love letters — to family, friends, and each other.
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Musique à bouches - Il est grand temps
https://www.musiqueabouches.com/Musique à bouches is a vocal ensemble composed of David Bélanger, Olivier Brousseau, Jérôme Fortin, Sylvain Trudel and Michel Grandmaison (who also plays the foot-tapping). This acapella quintet is inspired by the great pioneers of folk. The members of MAB take it upon themselves to dust-off and update the musical repertoire to breathe new life into the places, people, and stories that have so shaped our imaginations. Always with the intent to preserve traditional folk songs in the collective memory, MAB has recorded four albums: En spectacle (2009), Jusqu’aux oreilles (2014), L’habit de plumes (2019) and Il est grand temps (2022).
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Big Little Lions - AMPM
https://www.biglittlelions.comBig Little Lions are an award winning duo who were born out of a collaboration that won them a JUNO Award in 2014. Since then they have been cranking out infectious folk pop songs that are jam-packed with emotion and tight harmonies that sound like the product of two people working side-by-side instead of living in different countries. They have released 7 albums to date, which have garnered them awards and nominations including the CFMA Ensemble of the Year. Their music has been dubbed by Mariposa Folk Festival as ‘a blissful marriage of new folk and sophisticated pop’.
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Twin Flames - Twin Flames Unplugged Live
https://www.twinflamesmusic.comTwin Flames are a husband and wife duo that combine genres, languages and instrumental range to deliver a powerful sound that is both contemplative Folk and unapologetic Rock ‘n’ Roll. Twin Flames have chosen to let their music speak for itself. Their substantial body of work and widespread recognition make it clear that they have something special going on. In just eight years of recording and performing as Twin Flames, the duo has accumulated over 41 music awards and nominations. Their songs have earned them a unique place among contemporary music-makers and songwriters from coast to coast to coast.
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Basset - In the Clay
https://bassettheband.com/This Toronto-based duo, comprised of songwriters Sam Clark and Yasmine Shelton, will take you through city streets in the hours before the world has woken, or to a corrugated steel home north of the treeline. Their inventiveness shines on Sam’s fiddle, and in their intricate harmonies, with Shelton and Clark’s voices wrapping around each other like twin flames in a warm fire.
Ensemble of the Year
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Genticorum - Au coeur de l'aube
http://www.genticorum.comIn the last twenty years, GENTICORUM have earned a reputation as one of the leading voices in the evolution of Québécois traditional music both locally and internationally. Pascal Gemme and Yann Falquet, the group’s two founding members, are both recognized as major contributors to the Trad music scene in Québec. Since 2015, they have been joined by Nicholas Williams. Weaving intricate fiddle, flute and accordion lines, gorgeous vocal harmonies, subtle guitar textures and dynamic foot percussion, the pleasure that these three musicians have creating and playing together is palpable, both in the studio and on the concert stage.
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The East Pointers - House of Dreams
Prince Edward Island’s The East Pointers continue to redefine the ever-evolving genre – indie folk – with Billboard-worthy pop hooks, deep acoustic groove, and trance-like trad breakdowns. Already internationally acknowledged as musical trailblazers, their latest EP House Of Dreams was nominated for a JUNO Award earlier this year, won Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year, Group Recording of the Year, and Contemporary Roots Recording of the Year, and Pop Recording of the Year at the 2023 East Coast Music Awards. Their debut album Secret Victory won the 2017 JUNO Award for Traditional Roots Recording of the Year.
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The Bombadils - Dear Friend
https://thebombadils.com/homeMaking their home in the foggy port city of Halifax, Canada, The Bombadils are folk darlings Sarah Frank and Luke Fraser plus guests from their extended musical family. They offer emotionally stirring lyrics with intertwining string-band arrangements, and tinges of bluegrass. Canadian arts journalist Bob Mersereau calls it “folk tunes done with musical adventure and sophistication” and Elmore Magazine, “an enchanting folk romp.”
Tour highlights include Koerner Hall (Toronto), Tivoli Gardens (Denmark), and Wintergrass festival (USA). Their newest album, Dear Friend, recorded between pandemic lockdowns and daycare pick-ups, is a series of love letters — to family, friends, and each other.
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Jackson Hollow - Roses
http://jacksonhollowmusic.comSince signing with Virginia-based Mountain Fever Records and showcasing at 2021 IBMA World of Bluegrass, BC-based Jackson Hollow has enjoyed significant momentum leading into its 2023 debut album, “Roses”.
Their first single, “Travelin’ Heart”, reached #10 on US Bluegrass Today Charts as September’s 2nd most played song on Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction. Next, “Shallow Rivers” reached #6 on the Roots Music Report, #12 on Bluegrass Today, and #3 among Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction’s most-played monthly singles, receiving a 2022 Josie Award nomination.
Through its timeless, authentic sound, BC-based Jackson Hollow continues to connect with people across generations and borders.
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Whitehorse - I'm Not Crying, You're Crying
https://www.whitehorsemusic.caWhitehorse is the prolific partnership of Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet. Uninhibited by expectation, boldly adventurous and categorically talented, Whitehorse’s signature sound is always guitar-heavy, harmony-plentiful and lyrically deft. With an expansive run of records, Whitehorse have pushed their musical identity into new realms and sounds for over a decade. The duo’s remarkable staying power through eight full-length albums, multiple EPs, and five consecutive Juno Award nominations is a defining feature of their partnership. What began as a risky idea, channeling two successful solo careers into one, has grown into a full-blown creative union with odds-beating longevity.
Solo Artist of the Year
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William Prince - Stand in the Joy
https://www.williamprincemusic.comGuided by a practical yet profound gratitude, William Prince’s songs convey the power of wonder and humility. Over four albums, from his award-winning debut, Earthly Days, through his latest release, Stand in the Joy, Prince’s discography finds its steadying, timeless appeal in his rich voice and assured restraint.
Prince has also collaborated with many of Canada’s most esteemed artists, including Buffy Sainte-Marie, The Tragically Hip and Serena Ryder. With a career marked by accolades and milestones, from an opening slot for Neil Young to a JUNO Award, Prince has taken his deserved place on the national stage.
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Julian Taylor - Beyond The Reservoir
https://juliantaylormusic.ca/With a soulful voice and captivating stage presence, Julian Taylor is a unique and important voice on the Canadian roots-and-folk scene. His unique blend of blues, roots, country, and folk music has earned him a growing fanbase and critical acclaim.
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Dave Gunning - The Same Storm
https://www.davegunning.com/Dave Gunning, one of Canada’s favourite folk musicians and wordsmiths shares his 12th album The Same Storm. Over the last two decades, Dave Gunning has earned a reputation for being a great storyteller and engaging performer who has the ability to take listeners on a musical journey through his songs. Dave’s material delves into the lives of heroes and underdogs, celebrates family and the heart, and reflects messaging of social justice and caring for the world around us.
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Barbra Lica - Imposter Syndrome
http://barbralicamusic.comBarbra Lica is a JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter-producer based in Toronto. She has performed around the world, from New York City’s legendary Birdland to the Tokyo International Jazz Festival, and her recent album, You’re Fine, has amassed over 5.7 million streams to date on Spotify. In addition to writing for herself, Barbra has written cuts for such artists as jazz crooner Matt Dusk, rising J-Pop singer Harumi, CFMA winner Geneviève Racette, and Taiwanese pop recording artist, Morrison Ma. She is currently promoting her first self-produced EP, Imposter Syndrome, exploring an identity still in flux and a hard-won journey to self-acceptance.
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Julie Title - After the Sun
http://www.julietitle.comJulie Title is a singer-songwriter based in Toronto, Canada. In 2021, she received the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award from the Ontario Arts Council and Folk Music Ontario for her song “Ghost”. In 2022 her song “Four Horsemen” was nominated for the Folk Music Ontario song of the year award. Her original music has been featured on ABC’s hit TV show “The Fosters” as well as the popular CBC drama “Burden of Truth”. Nashville’s “Music Mecca” describes her songwriting as “lucid and poetic… open-ended and timeless.” Title released a full length album called “After the Sun” in August 2022.
Global Roots Album of the Year
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Sophie Lukacs - Bamako
https://www.sophielukacs.com/Hailing from Montreal by way of Budapest, Sophie Lukacs is a kora player and singer-songwriter. She has forged a distinct style, drawing inspiration from her training in classical violin, seven years of study in Mali with kora virtuoso Toumani Diabaté, and her roots in Hungarian folk music. Sophie’s music is rooted in love and vulnerability. Her debut album was released in April 2023, and features 2 tracks with the legendary Habib Koité.
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Tarek Ghriri - Refugee in the Sea
http://www.tarekghriri.comSyrian-Canadian flamenco and fretless guitarist with over than20 years in the music industry. His journey as a musician in Syria, where he developed a passion for blending traditional Arabic and flamenco styles.
Honed his craft through years of performances at festivals,shows, showcasing his unique blend of music. In Canada, merges his passion for music to create the Flamenco Arabia, co-produce Massyr “ مَسير “ and leads a number of groups, including Diar دْيَار”.
Has been using music as a therapeutic since 2016.To heal bring hope, has been using this approach to help children cope with the trauma of war ,displacement. -
Roberto López - Ritual
https://robertolopez.ca/Roberto Lopez colors Latin rhythms with many influences and sounds. A Canadian-Colombian musician and composer, he constantly pushes his limits with innovative arrangements, creating a collection of infectious modern tropical grooves ready for the dance floor. His numerous tours have taken his projects across Canada, Chile and Mexico. For over a decade, he has created his own musical language, one who likes to avoid the predictable.
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Taraf Syriana - Taraf Syriana
https://www.tarafsyriana.com/Taraf Syriana performs Syrian and Romani folk music. Their lineup includes legendary Romani accordionist Sergiu Popa (Moldova-Canada), qanun virtuoso Naeem Shanwar, (a music professor in Homs before moving to Montreal), Omar Abou Afach, violist from Syrian’s national orchestra from 1993-2015 before immigrating to Canada, and critically acclaimed cellist Noémy Braun.
Taraf Syriana’s debut album with famed Romani vocalist/guitarist Dan Armeanca, reached #3 on the World Music Charts Europe in February 2023 and was named by the CBC as one of the five most important recordings by new Canadians in the past five years. -
Empress Nyiringango - Ubuntu
https://www.empressnyiringango.ca/Ottawa-based Rwandan Canadian singer-songwriter Empress Nyiringango is a self-taught musician showcasing the self-coined Jablur sound, which stands for jazz, blues, and Rwandan. This fusion features Rwanda’s oldest instrument called “Inanga” (Zither) and contemporary music sounds. Singing in her mother tongue Kinyarwanda, Swahili, French, and English, Empress Nyiringango released her debut album ‘Resilience’ in 2016; her EP- Ishimwe (gratitude) in 2019; and her second album ‘Ubuntu’ in the fall of 2022.
Saddened by the heinous crimes of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, she embarked on an arduous healing musical journey to convey messages of resilience, compassion, hope, unity, and peace to the world.
New/Emerging Artist(s) of the Year
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Mia Kelly - Garden Through the War
https://www.miakellymusic.com/Mia Kelly is a singer-songwriter from Gatineau, Quebec who writes and performs in both French and English. Mia enthralls listeners with a distinctive blend of Folk, Rock, and Blues and is making her mark in the Canadian folk music scene. Backed by her performance on guitar or piano and accompanied by foot percussion, Kelly’s foot-stomping sing-a-longs are anchored by her powerful voice that emanates raw emotion. Her infectious energy captivates you as she shares her heartfelt stories & banter.
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Moonfruits - Salt
https://moonfruits.ca/Moonfruits—led by Ottawa-based partners Alex Millaire and Kaitlin Milroy—craft French-English contemporary folk with heart, wit, and wonder. This FMO Stingray Rising Star, Dora, and Capital Music Award-winning group has toured their transportive live show across Canada, the US and Europe.
Moonfruits’ lushly orchestrated sophomore album, Salt (Oct. 2022), is a 12-song suite that weaves stories of family, responsibility and loss in this era of climate change and deepening inequality. Salt is rooted and astral, tender and powerful, foreboding and hopeful, cradling all the convictions and contradictions of its songwriters. Transformation—personal, spiritual and political—is Salt’s guiding light.
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Kaeley Jade - Turpentine
https://kaeleyjade.comKaeley Jade is a Métis singer/songwriter, actor, and multidisciplinary artist based in Edmonton, Alberta (amiskwaciwâskahikan). Blending lush imagery and hooky melodic lines to create her own brand of pop-forward indie folk music, Kaeley Jade has performed at venues and festivals across Canada. Past performances include JUNOfest, BreakOut West, and NXNE, and she has shared the stage with Digging Roots, Delhi 2 Dublin, and Grammy-winner Bill “Birdsong” Miller. Kaeley moves between ballads and bops with ease, and she brings an electricity to the stage whether she is playing an intimate acoustic set or playing alongside her full five-piece band.
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La Déferlance - Le feu aux poudres
https://www.ladeferlance.comLa Déferlance deliver straight-ahead trad music in a dynamic contemporary style. Alongside imaginative arrangements of lively dance tunes and traditional songs, the band’s repertoire features many original compositions. Since 2018, they have been wowing audiences with energetic performances at concerts and dances throughout Québec. Recently they explored a new musical avenue, joining forces with an orchestra to perform symphonic arrangements of pieces from their first album, Le feu aux poudres. La Déferlance are now playing shows outside Québec and are currently working on their second album.
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Steven Taetz - Late Bloom
https://www.steventaetz.com/Rollicking roots rock, gentle folk pop ballads, blue-eyed soul, and cool jazz Steven Taetz approaches it all without flinching. Having previously collaborated with Jill Barber, Jenn Grant, Caroline Marie Brooks of Good Lovelies, The Once, and Connie Kaldor,his new album of contemporary roots love songs from a queer perspective provides a chance to sing his beautiful heart out. Previous touring includes the National Arts Centre, L’Astral Montreal, Rochester International Jazz Festival, and Capital Pride Washington D.C., and mainstage at Ottawa Bluesfest.
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Youngtree & The Blooms - Youngtree and The Blooms
http://www.pwyoungtree.comNewfoundland’s Youngtree & The Blooms have answered the call for an injection of spirit and authenticity into performance and songwriting. After being honoured with Newfoundland’s prestigious Ron Hynes Songwriter of the Year award for the band’s 2018 debut, Youngtree assured us he wasn’t a one-shot wonder with the release of Youngtree & The Blooms’ self-titled second album in October 2022. With the romanticism of early Steve Forbert, smarts of a young John Prine and a voice that comes from you and me, he has built upon a combo of themes central to humanity in a splendid array of folksy/poetic writing.
Producer(s) of the Year
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Jill Barber and Erik P. H. Nielsen - Homemaker (Jill Barber)
https://www.jillbarber.comHaving spent the last 20 years playing nearly every folk/jazz festival in Canada, captivating audiences in Japan, Europe, Australia, Mexico, South America, USA, & the Middle East, & accruing over 150 million streams across platforms, 3 time JUNO nominee Jill Barber, with Homemaker, delivers quietly profound songs about the complexities of motherhood, marriage, & the struggle to feel at home in one’s own identity. Homemaker is a return to Gold Record Certified Barber’s folk roots. While her most recent albums have been bathed in lush string arrangements, Homemaker sees emotions laid bare, reminiscent of acclaimed debut Oh Heart and double JUNO nominated For All Time.
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Drew Jurecka and Dan Rosenberg - Silent Tears: The Last Yiddish Tango (Payadora Tango Ensemble)
http://payadora.comSilent Tears, The Last Yiddish Tango by Payadora, Dan Rosenberg, Aviva Chernick and Lenka Lichtenberg is based on testimonies of women in Canada who are Holocaust survivors. The project began when Dr. Paula David launched a poetry program to help women deal with long term trauma from horrific crimes including sexual violence, human experimentation and forced sterilization – some of which they hadn’t told their own families. In March 2023, Silent Tears reached #1 on World Music Charts Europe. It was named “Album of the Week” by CBC Music and won two Bubbe Awards (the highest award in Yiddish music).
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Jeremy Ledbetter - Seré Libre (Eliana Cuevas with the Angel Falls Orchestra)
http://elianacuevas.comHailed as “a major international talent that’s on its way” by the Toronto Star, Venezuelan vocalist Eliana Cuevas performs dynamic songs that defy expectations of Latin music.
Eliana has toured across Canada and abroad collaborating with Juno and Grammy Award-winning performers, and she has released 7 albums of original Latin music under her name:
Cohesión (2001), Ventura (2004) Vidas (2007), Espejo (2013), Golpes y Flores (2017), El Curruchá (2021) and, most recently, Seré Libre (2023). -
Steve Dawson - Eyes Closed, Dreaming (Steve Dawson)
http://www.stevedawson.caAward-winning guitarist, engineer and producer Steve Dawson released 3 albums over the last year. The third of these, “Eyes Closed, Dreaming” is a rich and textured collection of songs, mostly co-written with Alberta’s Matt Patershuk, as well as some long-forgotten gems from the folk and roots songbook. Steve and his band take on everything from loose horn-filled soul to layered, dreamy folk, to stripped down solo lap steel performances, all captured and performed with originality and finesse.
“With this recording, Steve Dawson has again surpassed all expectations for modern roots music.” – Fervor Coulee Roots Music Report -
Kaitlin Milroy, Alex Millaire, Charles Fairfield, Olivier Fairfield - Salt (Moonfruits)
https://moonfruits.ca/Moonfruits—led by Ottawa-based partners Alex Millaire and Kaitlin Milroy—craft French-English contemporary folk with heart, wit, and wonder. This FMO Stingray Rising Star, Dora, and Capital Music Award-winning group has toured their transportive live show across Canada, the US and Europe.
Moonfruits’ lushly orchestrated sophomore album, Salt (Oct. 2022), is a 12-song suite that weaves stories of family, responsibility and loss in this era of climate change and deepening inequality. Salt is rooted and astral, tender and powerful, foreboding and hopeful, cradling all the convictions and contradictions of its songwriters. Transformation—personal, spiritual and political—is Salt’s guiding light.
Oliver Schroer Pushing the Boundaries Award
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Kuné - Universal Echoes
https://www.kuneworld.com/KUNÉ is an eleven-piece musical collective made up of ten immigrants to Canada and one Métis-Canadian. KUNE’s artistic practice captures and recreates the experience of living the cultural diversity that makes up Toronto. It is a space in which to remember where we came from and learn from each other’s differences, finding common language through sound. Together KUNE members compose, arrange and perform music that honours their cultural roots and creates connections with others through curiosity, experimentation and dialogue.
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Al Qahwa - Weyn Allah
https://alqahwa.ca/The group name Al Qahwa is Arabic for “the coffee house”. It was inspired by the coffee house culture in the Middle East where people would go to hear the latest news, music, poetry and stories. The repertoire began with traditional songs from Syria, Egypt and Iraq. In 2018, the group started adding original repertoire by members of the band. Al Qahwa’s new recording “Weyn Allah” adds Waleed Abdulhamid (bass, vocals) to the core group. It was made with support from The Toronto Arts Council and The Ontario Arts Council.
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De Lònga - Codex XXI
https://www.awomusique.com/de-longa.htmlDe Lònga is a fourtet of passionate, creative, and daring musicians. Through their constant artistic research, and drawing inspiration from all musical cultures, they organically blend the natural warmth of their acoustic instruments with their unique variety of real time sound effects.
De Lònga stands at the crossroad of multiple musical genres, generating a new and incomparable sound. Thanks to well-groomed performance, incorporating original video projections, the musicians immerse themselves and the audience in a total visual and sonic experience.
De Lònga, is music that travels beyond borders, beyond time! -
So Long Seven - only elephants know her name
http://www.solongseven.comSo Long Seven, a delicious mix of jazz, classical, blues, folk, and music from around the world, is both a funky, relentless force and an atmospheric cornucopia of sound. Nestled in the rhythmic drive of tabla player Ravi Naimpally, Neil Hendry (guitar), William Lamoureux (violin), and Tim Posgate (banjo) create an aural space beyond boundaries. The quartet references several global traditions including musical forms of India, Europe, Africa and the many traditions of the Americas, in a unique and cohesive cultural bridge.
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Kyle McKearney - A Traveler's Lament
http://imkylemckearney.comKyle McKearney has continued to deliver excellence since the release of his debut album, “Down-Home”. His sophomore album “A Traveler’s Lament” has been met with an impressive 22x award nominations to date, including 4x recent Canadian Country Music Award nominations for 2023. Earlier this year Kyle also celebrated being named the Canadian Folk Music Awards’ “Contemporary Singer of the Year”, marking his first ever national award win. Look out for more from Kyle as he works towards creating record #3, announcing tours and performing in select markets internationally.
Young Performer(s) of the Year
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Mia Kelly - Garden Through the War
https://www.miakellymusic.com/Mia Kelly is a singer-songwriter from Gatineau, Quebec who writes and performs in both French and English. Mia enthralls listeners with a distinctive blend of Folk, Rock, and Blues and is making her mark in the Canadian folk music scene. Backed by her performance on guitar or piano and accompanied by foot percussion, Kelly’s foot-stomping sing-a-longs are anchored by her powerful voice that emanates raw emotion. Her infectious energy captivates you as she shares her heartfelt stories & banter.
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Abigale - Different Roads
https://www.abigaleofficial.com/From a tiny outport in NL, where music runs deep, Abigale’s love of music blossomed, it’s seen her on stages from NL Folk Festival to the Hamilton Rd Race in ON. After earning a MusicNL Nomination for Country Artist of Year with her first album, she’s back with her new album “Different Roads” that dips into the Folk, Blues genre. After co-writing with Darrell Power, Zack Werner and many others, Abigale settled into the studio with multi-award winning Producers/Artists, Jason Whelan, Robert Kelly, Nick Earle and Dan George and found herself a home, letting her sound come to life and “Different Roads” Came to be.
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Paige Penney - Game Changer
https://www.paigepenney.comPaige Penney is a 18 year old singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, from St.John’s, Newfoundland.
Paige has received three Canadian Folk Music Award nominations & two MusicNL Award nominations, Winner of the MusicNL Newfound Talent Contest and the Arts and Letters awards.
Paige’s first single, “Watch Out For Your Step” features, Juno nominated, Newfoundland folk trio, The Once. Paige’s second single “Shooting Star” features a co-write with Alan Doyle and Doyle is featured in the music video.
Paige has opened for many established artists such as Canadian sensation, Johnny Reid and has headlined her own SOLD OUT shows!
Paige is currently writing/recording for her sophomore album! -
La famille LeBlanc - Perdrais-je mon temps...Would I be losing my time...
https://lafamilleleblanc.bandcamp.com/album/perdrais-je-mon-temps-would-i-be-losing-my-timeThe celebrated LeBlanc Clan performs 19th century tunes deeply rooted into Celtic and Acadian traditions and mostly unknown to other Celtic nations such as Ireland, Brittany and Scotland to name but a few. With their three daughters playing the concertina, the whistle and the fiddle, the mother sings some of the oldest Acadian songs and ballads accompanied on the piano with baroque, jazz and traditional arrangements by the father.
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Fiddelium - Lit Up
Fiddelium (fi-DELL-ium) is a dynamic folk/fiddle ensemble from Nanaimo BC, with members ranging from 11-18 years of age. They perform tunes that represent folk fiddle traditions from around the world. Don’t let their ages fool you: these kids are the real deal and their performances are polished, passionate, professional and utterly joyful.
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Irish Millie - The Trilogy
https://www.irishmillie.ca/Irish Millie is a 16 year old fiddle player from Peterborough Ontario. Alongside her dad Murray who accompanies her on the guitar, she has toured down the East Coast of Canada, throughout the USA, and in Denmark Europe. Dandelion Trilogy was recorded with a variety of Danish musicians in Denmark. The Hat, and Swagger were both recorded locally. She was nominated in both 2022 and 2023 for a CFMA, and received the emerging artist award in her home town Peterborough for 2023. Millie’s lively spirit and new approach to Trad music always has people on their feet and ready to dance.
Instrumental Composer(s) of the Year
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Vinta - Beacons
http://www.vintamusic.comVinta is Nathan Smith, Emilyn Stam, John David Williams, and Robert Alan Mackie, four brilliant performers and close friends at the cutting edge of European traditional music in Canada. Nearly a decade of these four musicians hanging out at fiddle jams around Toronto has culminated in this quartet, bringing new intensity to old tunes, and growing new tunes from old sources. A band of multi-instrumentalists and genuine scholars, Vinta is making music that is powerful, profound, and fiercely danceable.
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Queen Kong - Fray
http://www.queenkongtoronto.comLed by Toronto drummer, composer, Lorie Wolf, Queen Kong seamlessly blends Ashkenazi Jewish idiom with jazz, funk and rock to explore new sounds and ideas. They have been featured at the Toronto Jazz Festival, Ashkenaz Festival, BLOK Festival of Slavic Music, Parry Sound Festival and Jewish Music Week, and will be touring Western Canada in Fall of 2023.
“…an elegant statement on joining together two disparate traditions into something organic, upholding the essence of both. With Fray, the melancholy joy of Eastern European Jewish music takes on the fluid rhythms and improvisational direction of jazz…” David Luhrssen – Shepherd Express -
Steve Dawson - Phantom Threshold
http://www.stevedawson.caAward-winning guitarist, engineer and producer Steve Dawson released 3 albums over the last year. The second of these, “Phantom Threshold” is a moody and unique instrumental exploration of the pedal steel guitar – a very difficult, yet expressive instrument to play. The compositions are lyrical and captivating, and the interplay between the creative musicians hand-picked for the project is remarkable. The performances are loose, funky and improvisational. Jay Bellerose on drums, Chris Gestrin on keyboards, and Jeremy Holmes on bass make up The Telescope 3, and together they have created some of the most intriguing instrumental music of the year.
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Don Ross - Water
http://donrossonline.comDon Ross is originally from Montreal and started playing guitar at the age of eight. He received his BFA in Music from York University and then embarked on a career as a composer, recording artist and touring musician that now spans over three decades. During the pandemic, he studied online and received an MA in Orchestration from the University of Chichester (UK). Since 1989 he has released 17 solo albums and numerous collaborative albums. in 2021 he won the Walter Carson Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts, administered by the Canada Council for the Arts.
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Dario Montanino - Rio Lyon
https://dariomontanino.bandcamp.com/album/rio-lyonDario Montanino, a versatile guitarist and composer from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, possesses over 20 years of experience and a unique musical style blending folk, Italian folk, medieval, progressive rock, and metal. With captivating melodies and intricate compositions, he effortlessly transitions between genres, showcasing his versatility. Dario’s emotive soundscapes have graced the soundtracks of a documentary and a horror movie, enriching their narratives. Collaborating with renowned drummer Marco Minnemann, he creates mesmerizing and complex pieces. Fearlessly exploring new territories, Dario draws inspiration from his Italian-Canadian heritage, pushing artistic boundaries. His genre-blending music resonates with global audiences, capturing their hearts and imaginations.
Single of the Year
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William Prince - When You Miss Someone
https://www.williamprincemusic.comGuided by a practical yet profound gratitude, William Prince’s songs convey the power of wonder and humility. Over four albums, from his award-winning debut, Earthly Days, through his latest release, Stand in the Joy, Prince’s discography finds its steadying, timeless appeal in his rich voice and assured restraint.
Prince has also collaborated with many of Canada’s most esteemed artists, including Buffy Sainte-Marie, The Tragically Hip and Serena Ryder. With a career marked by accolades and milestones, from an opening slot for Neil Young to a JUNO Award, Prince has taken his deserved place on the national stage.
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Julian Taylor - Seeds
https://juliantaylormusic.ca/With a soulful voice and captivating stage presence, Julian Taylor is a unique and important voice on the Canadian roots-and-folk scene. His unique blend of blues, roots, country, and folk music has earned him a growing fanbase and critical acclaim.
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Moira & Claire - Delaney's Dad
https://moiraandclaire.bandcamp.comBorn on one side of Canada and now living on another, Antigonish, Nova Scotia’s Moira & Claire write lighthearted, indie folk-pop songs that appeal to East and West Coasters and everyone in between. The sisters have been singing together for longer than their professional careers, their voices harmonizing in the kind of familial magic that only living together your entire life can attain. The proof is in their debut 7 song EP, “i’m not usually this forward but …” which was nominated for three 2023 ECMA awards and garnered a 2023 SOCAN Foundation Her Music honourable mention award.
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Big Little Lions - Worth The Time
https://www.biglittlelions.comBig Little Lions are an award winning duo who were born out of a collaboration that won them a JUNO Award in 2014. Since then they have been cranking out infectious folk pop songs that are jam-packed with emotion and tight harmonies that sound like the product of two people working side-by-side instead of living in different countries. They have released 7 albums to date, which have garnered them awards and nominations including the CFMA Ensemble of the Year. Their music has been dubbed by Mariposa Folk Festival as ‘a blissful marriage of new folk and sophisticated pop’.
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Zaac Pick - Light Under The Door
http://www.zaacpick.com/With two albums, three EPs, and numerous singles to date, Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Zaac Pick’s has spent the quietly earning acclaim for over a decade. A nominee for a West Coast Music Award for ‘Best Roots Album’ in 2011, and a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition in 2021, Pick as been steadily refining his brand of confessional folk as his reflective and raw songs have received generous CBC and college radio support, numerous features on major network television shows, and helped land him opening slots for the likes of The Civil Wars, Noah Gundersen, and Bahamas.
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The Bombadils - Tell Me Im not Dreaming Anymore
https://thebombadils.com/homeMaking their home in the foggy port city of Halifax, Canada, The Bombadils are folk darlings Sarah Frank and Luke Fraser plus guests from their extended musical family. They offer emotionally stirring lyrics with intertwining string-band arrangements, and tinges of bluegrass. Canadian arts journalist Bob Mersereau calls it “folk tunes done with musical adventure and sophistication” and Elmore Magazine, “an enchanting folk romp.”
Tour highlights include Koerner Hall (Toronto), Tivoli Gardens (Denmark), and Wintergrass festival (USA). Their newest album, Dear Friend, recorded between pandemic lockdowns and daycare pick-ups, is a series of love letters — to family, friends, and each other.
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Barbra Lica - In 40 Years
https://barbralicamusic.comBarbra Lica is a JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter-producer based in Toronto. She has performed around the world, from New York City’s legendary Birdland to the Tokyo International Jazz Festival, and her recent album, You’re Fine, has amassed over 5.7 million streams to date on Spotify. In addition to writing for herself, Barbra has written cuts for such artists as jazz crooner Matt Dusk, rising J-Pop singer Harumi, CFMA winner Geneviève Racette, and Taiwanese pop recording artist, Morrison Ma. She is currently promoting her first self-produced EP, Imposter Syndrome, exploring an identity still in flux and a hard-won journey to self-acceptance.
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Aruna and the Sirens + guests - Have you Seen My Sister?
http://aruna.caARUNA & THE SIRENS, a Toronto-based acoustic band, features original songs by lead singer Aruna Antonella Handa. Chris Adriaanse (upright bass) and Raphael Roter (drums) share an intuitive feel for the repertoire, having trained in improvised music with Casey Sokal at York University. Lindsay McDonald’s experience in new music, along with Caitlin Holland and Alejandra Ballon, degreed opera singers, add texture and heft to Aruna’s expressive vocal weaving the personal with the political. “Have You Seen My Sister?”, released in February 2023, is a response to the Shadow Pandemic, the global surge in gender-based violence.