Josh Mcleod is a Montreal-based singer-songwriter and visual artist, originally from West Nipissing. His soft music enveloped with eclectic sounds reminds that of Andy Shauf, Chris Cohen and Daniel Johnson. Nature and studies of character preoccupy most of his thematic explorations. On the importance of music, he simply states: “We have air so we can breathe. We have air so we can make music.”
Métis and Franco-Manitoban singer-songwriter Geneviève Toupin, aka Willows, offers a delicate blend of folk, acoustic instruments and vocal harmonies. Willows, a village in the Canadian prairies and a city in California are two places that recall her French, English and Métis roots. The wide-open spaces of her native Manitoba inspire her airy melodies and blend with her soft yet impactful voice.
JENNIFER GUIGNARD
Waaseshkang Kwe ezhnikaaz, Maakwa Dodem, Z’agamok anishnawbek doonjibaa. Aanii. Jennifer Guignard (as she is known in the English language), is originally from Sudbury, Ontario and has been dancing in the fancy shawl and jingle dress styles since her early twenties. She is also a mother of three and grandmother of three.
KALAH-RAYNE POTTIER
Begizhiik waashkane ezhnikaaz, Maakwa Dodem, Z’agamok anishnawbek doonjibaa. Aanii. Kalah-Rayne Pottier (as she calls herself in the English language), is originally from Sudbury and has been dancing all styles since she was a child. She is also a creator and designer of her own regalia. Miigwetch
QUINN ORGAN
Aanii. Known by their spirit name as “Sky Before Dawn” and by their English name as Quinn Organ, they are a Mawkwa from the Bear Clan and originally from Sudbury, Ontario. They are a Two-Spirit Indiqueer artist, and have been dancing since the age of seven. Their regalia is a mixture of their own work, as well as work that was passed down or gifted to them, and incorporates pieces altered by Kalah-Rayne Pottier.
Mimi O’Bonsawin is a contemporary roots singer-songwriter from Northeastern Ontario. Through her rhythm and story-driven songs, Mimi embraces the beauty of the land, all the while yielding to her Franco-Ontarian and Abenaki roots. In her music you will find sounds from the forest, uplifting melodies and introspective lyrics weaved with pop sensitivities and acoustic instruments.The layers of percussion and surprising harmonies make you feel the music rather than just hear it.
“My songs flow through a center of love, with the intention to of bringing the audience into my world.”- O’Bonsawin says.
Her duo stage performances are honest and dynamic as she tours with her partner Ryan Schurman on drums, making it an intimate yet uplifting experience for the audience.
Her 5th release, and first instrumental album, Fiddleheads & Ferns, was produced and recorded in their Log Home Studio. Mimi discovered a new path for storytelling through instrumental music after composing for Nagamo – an indigenous curated catalogue for Film & Tv. With Ryan, they created Fiddleheads & Ferns to showcase the type of music they have been commissioned to create, but also to provide a space for the audience to regroup during the challenges of the pandemic. Soul-searching and powerful, the album evokes real emotion without the use of words. The playful single ‘Chickadee’ was placed on the Spotify Curated Playlist “Folk & Friends”.
Mimi’s album , Elle Danse (2020), is also a self-produced French EP, nominated for Best New Artist & Best EP at the Trille Or Awards (2020) which recognizes Francophone Artists outside of Quebec. Additionally, the album was among ELMNT FM’s top 10 Best Albums of 2020 and the title track was added to Curated Playlists on Spotify (Café Montréalais), Amazon Music (Indigenous Voices) & Apple Music ( Indigenous Now).
On Télé Québec’s show ‘Belle & Bum’, Mimi performed her song ‘Elle danse’ (2021) and was featured on 2 Radio Canada Documentries in 2021. She continues to compose music for film & TV through Nagamo and has had music placed on CBC’s Trickster (Trailer 2019), Ontario’ Highlands Documentary(2021), Precious Leader Woman Docu-film(2021), APTN’s Mohawk Girls, Showtime’s Ray Donovan (E1S5-2017) and more. Mimi also composed the lyrics for Music Monday’s National Anthem for 2022. In 2019, Mimi was awarded Best Pop Album at the Indigenous Music Awards.
Mimi shares her passion for songwriting and art through workshops with youth in schools across Canada. “Music is a powerful healer” says Mimi, “Songs and art are great tools to empower our youth and to provide an outlet. No matter the intention, I believe that everyone can and should write a song.”