Alex Cuba is a Latin Grammy/Juno winner, singer-songwriter who is not tied to tradition; Alex has a vast musical vision. His sugarcane-sweet melodies, pop-soul hooks and powerful guitar riffs, relinquish a conventional stereotype that exemplifies much of the Latin music landscape.
2021 saw Alex recording at home and adding recording engineer to his credits as musician, singer-songwriter, producer. From the healing voice of Grammy Award winning Lila Downs on “Mundo Nuevo”, to his colourful collaboration with world-renowned flamenco artist, Antonio Carmona, and commissioning a 13-piece horn band from his native country of Cuba, Alex’s vibrant eighth studio album, Mendó, is filled with international collaborations. Mendó took home the 2022 Grammy for best Latin Pop Album April 3! It was Alex Cuba’s 4th nomination and first win, a tremendous accomplishment for an independent artist.
In 2018, veracious Mohawk singer-songwriter Logan Staats was chosen from 10,000 hopeful contestants vying for a spot on musical competition show The Launch. Before an audience of 1.4 million viewers, Staats won, officiating the breakthrough that would lead him to Nashville and Los Angeles, and to his single “The Lucky Ones” winning the Indigenous Music Award for Best Radio Single. “The Lucky Ones” also occupied #1 in Canada.
In the years between now and then, Staats has come home, making the intentional decision to re-root at Six Nations of the Grand River. “I wanted to bring my songwriting back to the medicine inside of music, to the medicine inside of reclamation,” he says following a phase of constant travel and intensity.
Delyn Grey is on her way to becoming one of the most unforgettable artists you’ve seen. Her innovative songwriting and evocative and haunting moods make it nearly impossible to shake, and she is some other-worldly modern-day mix of artists like Patti Smith, Trent Reznor, and Joan Jett. But there are really no comparisons that will do this young artist justice, as her authentic charisma and enormous talent is unparalleled, making her a hurricane force voice.
Sammy hails from Orillia, ON where she grew up learning blues guitar and idolizing famous raspy voices such as Janis Joplin and Robert Plant. Although her vocal style draws mainly from soul, blues, and heavy rock, she has a much wider range of overall musical influences. She is a recent graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Community Music program, where she received a Bachelor’s of Music. She has played solo shows throughout Simcoe County during her degree and looks forward to diving in with the band now that she has graduated. In the summer of 2020, she released “Sad to Say”, a 5 song EP which was fully written and performed by her, and produced by her cousin Kelton McEwen. Sammy’s band consists of 3 Orillia locals: Jennie Davis on bass, Jeff Davis on guitar, and Drew Barrett on drums. All creative musicians in their own right, they each have very different musical influences which creates a melting pot of style, leaving something for every listener to enjoy.
The only good thing about not shopping in record stores anymore is you won’t have to figure out what genre to look for Danny under. If that were the case, you could try looking under, rock, pop, folk, world or even classical.
His own self-described musical A.D.D. has kept his music fresh for decades. Maybe it has something to do with being born next to a candy factory, or his ambidextrous brain, but his thoughtful lyrics & charming performances have earned a devoted fan base, multiple nominations for Junos, The Polaris Prize, CBC’s "Heart Of Gold", and most recently winning the CFMA's "Producer of the year" and "Oliver Schroder Pushing the Boundaries" Awards. But Danny considers his career highlights to be the unique real life moments like performing for Jane Goodall’s 85th birthday party, touring with Stuart Mclean and working with charities close to his heart.
Born into the Icelandic community in Manitoba, Canada, Lindy Vopnfjörd started his music career early. Singing traditional Icelandic songs with his family, both the cultural heritage and musician parents shaped this intuitive artist. By age four, Lindy was already pronouncing his “stand and care for the world” bent as an Icelandic-Canadian folk artist by singing cautionary songs against nuclear war. Traveling around by bus with his mom and dad and extended family, he developed an appreciation for performing as a form of sharing.
HarpAcash and Danny Boy have been writing and performing together for over ten years. Their musical connection and friendship share the same thread. Their first meeting began when Danny Boy joined their former band HarpAcash and the Morals. The band offered them many wonderful musical experiences that would string together their fate of finally working on their unique sound. Together they have played alongside The Strumbellas, The Cowboy Junkies, July Black and Basia Bulat.
When J.D Crosstown walks on stage an immediate hush falls over the crowd. His tall, lanky figure, flat brimmed hat and unassuming presence stirs enough curiosity and interest to quiet the room. He sets the stage with his easy wit and charm, making everyone laugh. And then he plays, his fingerpicking folk style reminiscent of old folk classics, like Lily of the West and Little Sadie. His voice, surprisingly deep, authentic, timeless and somehow still vulnerable at its roots.
Vancouver-based electro-pop artist Josh Bogert is a bonafide triple threat. Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, the prolific 22 year old delivers a distinctive sound that is both complex and candid, shaped by diverse musical influences ranging from artists like JP Saxe to Jon Bellion, and musical icons Ed Sheeran to Justin Bieber.
James Gray is a contemporary version of an old-school traveling folk singer. In the past decade, Gray has toured Canada, Europe and Australia, seeing the world and sharing his beloved songs along the way.
A unique finger style guitarist, with a vocal that is hauntingly beautiful, Gray, often accompanied by a rather droll, humorous stage patter, immerses himself in each and every song with a soulfulness and attack that is infectious and disarming. With a broad grin and good natured chuckle, Gray will often smile into the microphone and state matter of factly that he wants you to remember who he is.
Zachary Lucky is unapologetically old-school country, armed with a husky, baritone voice - He often receives comparisons to songwriters such as Gordon Lightfoot and Kris Kristofferson. He sings of Canadian places and people as knowingly as he might Townes Van Zandt or the Rio Grande. It's a relatable show on many levels, and conjures universal feelings that have passed through our collective timelines. Already hailed as a master storyteller by outlets ranging from No Depression to The Globe and Mail, Zachary is becoming a legend in his own right and has safely reserved his spot at the table of Canadian roots royalty.
Michael Costantini is based in Toronto, Ontario. Costantini has been playing in the Southern Ontario circuit for the past 10 years. He started his first band when he was 11years old. Costantini’s latest single release “Best of Me '', was co-written by Ian Thornley and Casey Marshall. Michael’s full length album is slated for release in 2023. Check out Michael’s website for news, upcoming show dates and to sign up for his mailing list. You can also follow Michael on Instagram and Youtube to view new content.
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, singer-songwriter Julianna Jones is a powerhouse with a rich RnB Pop voice and an insatiable core fanbase for her authenticity and sharing her stories unapologetically. Living life to its fullest, she is echoing her experiences to fans who are navigating life as new adults, relating to her fans on every level. Drawing from modern and classic influences such as Ariana Grande, Julia Michaels and SZA, she infuses Rnb, soul, pop, and rock songwriting from her personal experiences in love and life.
Humble, self-deprecating, and consistently hilarious, Rebekah Hawker smiles often and easily onstage. Her well-crafted songs share stories of love, heartbreak and everything in between and are showcased by her explosively dynamic voice and casually intimate conversation style.
Releasing an album during the height of a worldwide pandemic was not what former teacher, B.Knox, had in mind when he set out. However, after receiving critical acclaim from AmericanaUK, Folk RadioUK, RnR Magazine; a short-listing by both the CCMA’s and the International Songwriting Competition; radio play from SiriusXM, CBC, and many nationally and internationally syndicated shows; as well as playlisting from Starbucks, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon music, it’s safe to say that Knox’s debut, Heartbreak & Landscape, was an unexpected critical and commercial success, thanks in large part to the combination of Knox’s lyrics and melody - and the production of Aaron Goldstein.
Knox's sophomore album — the tellingly titled Far From Folk – blends cosmic Americana, left-field honky tonk, rugged country-rock, and woozy roots music into its own melancholic mix. There are sad songs here, to be sure, but there's also an overarching sense of optimism, with B.Knox moving past the breakup songs that filled his debut and focusing on something brighter. It serves as both a nod to Knox's past and a reminder of just how far he's grown beyond his folk roots, highlighting an artist in eclectic evolution. With further critical acclaim, and peaking at 176 on the Americana Billboard Top 200, daily rotation on SiriusXM - as well as commercial and non-commercial radio rotation in the US, and playlisting on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon music - Knox is certainly building off the success of his debut and partnership with Goldstein.