NEWS

The Junos are coming to Hamilton! Come and celebrate this special event with Folk Canada on Thursday, March 26th. We're partnering with  Manitoba Music, Music BC, Music Nova Scotia, & MusicOntario  for this exciting event, and you're invited!  Thursday, March 26, 2026, 4:00pm - 7:30pm Mills Hardware (95 King St. E, Hamilton, ON) Click here to RSVP MusicOntario & Music BC present: Building an Independent Record Label from Scratch  PANEL: 4:30PM Independent record labels are of

Cécile Doo-Kingué @ Cabaret-Théâtre du Vieux-Saint-Jean Thursday, March 26 Cabaret-Théâtre du Vieux-Saint-Jean Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC "Voix suave, guitare envoûtante, Cécile Doo-Kingué repousse les frontières musicales. Entre blues, soul, chanson et rythmes africains, elle crée une signature sonore unique. Née de parents camerounais, élevée à New York, passée par la France et installée à Montréal, Cécile incarne un métissage musical vibrant. Sur scène, sa voix profonde

Close Kicks: The Place "The Place" was written during a time of reflection. Knowing that being alone, you can still be emotionally anchored, and stay connected to the things that make you feel alive. The song developed as a working demo in Close Kicks' home studio, before taking it to James McKenty’s “In Record Time” studio in Peterborough to record new parts with local musicians, Warren Frank, Cassie Noble and Nathan Truax from Kawartha Lakes.  Click here for more info

James LeClaire: Why Won't You Let Me Die       This song is close to my heart. My Grandmother Leclaire was one of my favourite people. She was pure love. I would visit her regularly. I would dance with her, sing to her, look at her photo albums and ask all about her life. She called me, “My Jamie”. What a sweetheart.  She lived a long and healthy life. She had many obstacles, stresses and challenges, but she persevered. She was a devout Catholic and followed God’s word every

Nicci Rea of Sunshine: Rainbow Weather   Rainbow Weather is the joyful debut release by kids entertainer Nicci Rea of Sunshine—a bilingual folk-pop song that celebrates the colours of nature, from the black of the night sky to bright rainbow hues. With a gentle message about finding beauty and joy in every day, the song wraps listeners in a warm, inclusive reminder that our differences shine brightest when we’re together. 🌈 Click here for more info

Tristan Konkle: Peterborough Folk Festival 2026 Emerging Artist of the Year   Tristan Konkle is the Peterborough Folk Festival 2026 Emerging Artist of the Year. Following a record number of submissions, we are so excited to announce that Peterborough-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tristan Konkle is our 2026 Emerging Artist Award recipient! Performance sits at the centre of Tristan Konkle’s musical identity, though it has never told the whole story. Raised in Peter

Kristen Martell: Ontario & Quebec Tour    Kristen Martell returns to Ontario and Quebec this April for her annual solo regional tour. Known for her signature sound blending folk-pop with soulful Americana, Martell brings a series of intimate performances to the region just as the spring season unfolds. Martell’s music has earned critical acclaim for its evocative lyrics and serene arrangements. Her performances invite listeners into a space of quiet reflection and melodic bea

Maya Killtron: Japan Tour   Folk Music Ontario-alum artist Maya Killtron announces a Japan tour in support of her upcoming album "Toronja". Having played across North America and showcased multiple times in Europe, this is Maya's first time touring internationally with her band. Japan has long been a primary market for Maya’s physical merchandise sales, and she looks forward to bringing the live version of those songs to Japanese audiences. Apr 6 - Utero - Fukuoka Apr 7 -  Pe

MusicOntario & Music BC present:  Building an Independent Record Label from Scratch Panel discussion, Q&A, and Industry Mixer Thursday, March 26, 2026, 4:00pm - 7:30pm Mills Hardware (95 King St. E, Hamilton, ON) PANEL: 4:30PM Independent record labels are often at the pulse of discovery when it comes to new music across the spectrum of genres! In an era of corporate homogenization, tech assimilation, and risk-aversion, we need indie labels more than ever: independent compani

Adrian Sutherland: On Tour   Cree musician Adrian Sutherland is coming to Southern Ontario this week, as he takes his trio on tour for the first time! Adrian brings his soulful roots-rock and compelling stories to stages in your region, all the way from Attawapiskat on James Bay. In addition to memorable music, each show will include a special reading from his newly published Penguin Random House Canada book, The Work of Our Hands. Mar 17 – Mills Hardware - Hamilton, ON Mar 1

Kay Francis: My Grandmother’s Grandmother   In 1838 the Cherokee people of Alabama were forcibly marched to a reservation in Oklahoma - many died horrifically on the Trail of Tears. However a few married into a white families in order to remain…” Kay Francis’ pays tribute in her latest release giving a voice to her indigenous ancestor in her single “My Grandmother’s Grandmother”  Click here for more info

Sleepy Bronco: Time is Not Your Friend   Singer-songwriter Sleepy Bronco Announces Release of "Time is Not Your Friend".  A new name on the Folk/Roots/Canadiana music scene, Sleepy Bronco emerges with his own unique brand of storytelling amidst the timeless sonic backdrop of strings, harmony, and twang. Part of a larger ten-song project to be released in the near future, this is the first offering for any and all fans of roots, folk, and alt-country goodness.  Click here for

Pat Rees: The Fool   “The Fool” is the third single off Ontario-based singer-songwriter Pat Rees’ upcoming EP, Little Light. The acoustic folk track weaves reflective storytelling with warm, stripped-back production, exploring lingering love and the lessons of heartbreak and growth. Produced by Shawn Moore, with electric guitar by Stu Weinberg and mastered by Mike Monseur, the song showcases Rees’ intimate, roots-inspired sound.  Click here for more info

Just Prince: Mercy   Mercy reflects on the loss of an innocent life and the lingering impact it leaves behind. It touches on the experience of having visions, moments where memory feels vivid and almost present and the realization that those moments can’t be controlled or recreated. The song carries a sense of unfinished conversation and a quiet request for forgiveness for not being there, while navigating the space between memory and reality. Click here for more info

Isaac Baronikian: Teenage Jesus    Post-Toronto-indie-emo-alt-country-folk-rock. Learning to live with hurt and imperfection in relationships and friendships. Single #7 from Isaac's upcoming album 'For The Road' (May 2026). 'For The Road' will kick off with shows in Toronto (Burdock Music Hall) and Ottawa (Red Bird) in May. Drums: Peter Von Althen Mix: Nicholas Nagurka Master: Philip Shaw Bova  Click here for more info

Mary Gauthier @ Rogue Folk Club   Mary Gauthier - Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Mercy Now Presented by MRG Live and Rogue Folk Club Wednesday, June 10 - 8:00 p.m. Vancouver Playhouse - Vancouver, BC Tickets $35-$55 (w/ service charge) I am excited to announce that this year is the 20th Anniversary of the release Mercy Now, a record that changed my life. We are celebrating with a vinyl re-release and a tour. I’m not really one to look back, but reflecting on these ten so

Danny Michel @ Newmarket Folk Society Saturday, March 28, 2026 - Doors 7:15, Show 8:00 Newmarket Legion - Newmarket, ON Tickets: $35  The only good thing about not shopping in record stores like we used to is that you don’t have to figure out what genre to look for Danny under. If that were the case, you could try searching 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

The Slocan Ramblers @ Brampton Folk Club w/ Julia & Peter Presented by Brampton Folk Club Friday, March 27, 2026 - 7:30PM St. Paul’s United Church - Brampton, ON The next Friday Folk Night will be March 27th when we present the energetic bluegrass band The Slocan Ramblers. The Slocan Ramblers are Canada’s bluegrass band to watch. They have been featured on the Grand Ole Opry and were a Juno Award Nominee in 2019. With a reputation for energetic live shows, impeccable musician

Femmes pour Logifem Vol V: Return of the Femmes   Feat: Naghmeh, Julie Neff & Nazanii Thursday, March 26 - doors 7:00, Show 8:00 Casa Del Popolo - Montréal, QC Tickets: $20. * Any donation beyond that amount qualifies for a tax receipt. Montreal! After a 3 year hiatus, we’re thrilled to invite you all to the 5th edition of the benefit concert Femmes pour Logifem vol V: The Return of the Femmes, at Casa del Popolo.  This genre bending musical event will be a night of woman-fro

Jessica Pearson and the East Wind: On Tour   Jessica Pearson and the East Wind's going on Tour!  Backed by the impeccable harmonies of Sam Stone and Malia Rogers alongside clawhammer banjo, mandolin, and tasteful percussion, Jessica's storytelling and songs centre kindness and vulnerability while imploring audiences toward a better future for all. Audiences will enjoy versatile Americana stomp-and-holler, upbeat Celtic sing-and-sway, and intimate, high-lonesome folk ballads,

Chris White, Mary Gick & Quiet Sky @ Motel Chelsea Thursday, March 19 - 7:30pm Motel Chelsea - Chelsea, QC Admission is free.  Donations are welcome. In this concert, Chris White will perform selected songs from his catalogue – some humorous, some heartfelt, some old and some new.  The evening will also feature contributions from Mary Gick on banjo and voice, and some beautiful original songs from Quiet Sky (Pam and Jeff Gleeson).  The evening will finish up with an old-time

For the fifth consecutive year, Folk Canada will participate in BIME Bogotá from May 4-7, 2026 as part of an outbound international trade mission, designed to strengthen connections between the Canadian and Latin American music sectors while creating opportunities for collaboration, touring, and market development. Building on strong outcomes from earlier engagement, this activity aims to provide companies with access to Colombia’s music and creative industries ecosystem, ge

Brandon Agnew: Night Shadows - Volume 1   Brandon Agnew is happy to announce the full digital release of his latest album "Night Shadows - Volume 1", recorded in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario and produced by Steve Goldberger.  Following two sold-out Album Release Shows on January 17, 2026 at the Niagara Artists Centre in St. Catharines, Ontario, the 10-song album is available on all streaming sites (except Spotify) on Tuesday March 10, 2026. Additionally, the album is availabl

Minta & The Brook Trout w/ Sarah Greene & Paul Kolinski: On Tour   Sarah Greene & Paul Kolinski join Minta & The Brook Trout (Portugal) on a spring tour of Ontario and Quebec  This spring, Sarah Greene & Paul Kolinski are heading out on a six day tour of Ontario and Quebec with Minta & The Brook Trout - a Lisboa, Portugal-based band who write songs about everyday things, like breakups and furniture. Stretch, their fifth album, was released by louva-adeus in September 2025. Th

Kaeley Jade: Never Come Home Again   On her new single "Never Come Home Again,” Edmonton-based alt-folk artist Kaeley Jade invites listeners to release what no longer serves them and step boldly into the unknown. The new single arrives alongside a striking new video, directed by Jade herself in her debut behind the camera. "All endings lead to new beginnings, and time has a funny way of bringing us perspective," Jade continues. "There have been many moments in my own journey

Brian Tremblay: They Won’t Take Us Alive   "On March 14, 2026, balladeer and songwriter Brian Tremblay will release his first protest song, They Won’t Take Us Alive. The song was written in response to the situation happening in the United States and how the world, in general, has become untenable. “I feel that all musicians should use their voice to speak out against the rise of fascism,” says Tremblay. “Silence is complicity.” The song is performed as a duet with his wife,

My Friend Christopher: In the Neighbourhood The title track from My Friend Christopher's upcoming album "In the Neighbourhood" brings you the moving sounds and sights from a morning moment in the neighbourhood; from the crosswalk to the treetops. This rhythmic journey is moved along by swinging percussion and supported by a full range of family voices while the Dad Influences keep time and sing in the spaces on piano, upright bass, alto sax and trombone. Click here for more i

Rachel Dara: In the Darkness Rachel Dara's first of three singles, "In the Darkness" from her upcoming EP "Old at Soul and Young at Heart" came out on March 6th. While this track takes inspiration from other genres, Rachel Dara stays true to her Folk roots through her storytelling & a rockin' acoustic Godin parlor guitar in this track. It was produced at Classic Avenue Studio in Mississauga by Josh Goldman, on the same 2-inch tape machine used to record "Jagged Little Pill" b

Cabin Fever: No Back Page     "In their powerful new song “No Back Page,” Cabin Fever turns a deeply personal story into a resonant anthem for small towns everywhere. Inspired by life in northern Saskatchewan, the song reflects on the quiet heartbreak that followed the closure of a beloved local newspaper - the kind “where your name might be spelled three different ways in the same article.” When the paper was forced to fold, more than newsprint was lost. A living archive of

Suzanne Nuttall @ Night Oat ‘Live Without A Net’ album launch Thursday, April 9, 2026Night Oat - Ottawa, ON Singer-songwriter Suzanne Nuttall is officially launching her new live album, LiVE WITHOUT A NET, with - you guessed it - an evening of live music at Night Oat in Ottawa. It's a party, social and mini music festival where you'll discover some fabulous Ottawa musicians!  Featured will be: Libby & Cal, Dawn Sev, Slo' Tom, Erin Okrainec, Patrick Shanks and Suzanne Nuttall.

Loch Nisse Monster @ Meow! That's Hot   Look What the Cat Dragged In Loch Nisse Monster w/ Row Tunks Presented by Ego & Vice Friday, March 27, 2026 Meow! That's Hot. - Ottawa, ON On March 27, Look What The Cat Dragged In features Loch Nisse Monster w/ guest Row Tunks. An up close and interactive performance showcasing the songwriting of Ottawa artist Loch Nisse Monster, including an artist Q&A by Ego & Vice Podcast.   Click here for more info

Kate Weekes: Rideau Roots Release Show Sunday, Mar 22, 2026, 2:00 PM The Black Sheep Inn - Wakefield, QC Kate Weekes is releasing her album Rideau Roots at the Black Sheep Inn! ABOUT THE PROJECT In May of 2022, a collective of songwriters, musicians and spoken word artists paddled the Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa, Ontario. This traveling musical residency was spear-headed by Kate Weekes, a wilderness canoe guide and award-winning songwriter. The journey offered an opp

Malia Rogers: Sunlight (A Good Death) Single Release Show Wednesday, March 11, 2026 6:00pm Doors - 7:00pm Show Art House Cafe - Ottawa, ON Nova Scotia-raised, Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Malia Rogers returns with “Sunlight (A Good Death),” a dynamic, celtic-influenced folk single celebrating the interconnectedness of grief and love. Written on Ireland's coast on the anniversary of her grandfather's passing, “Sunlight"" moves from intimate to vast, with a cathartic breakdow