Desirée Dawson
CBC Searchlight Winner: Desirée Dawson
What: Soul, Folk
Where: White Rock, BC
Visit: www.desireedawsonmusic.com
Teo Milea
CBC Searchlight Finalist: Teo Milea
What: Instrumental, Classical Piano
Where: Toronto, ON
Visit: www.teomilea.com
Dylan Menzie
CBC Searchlight Finalist: Dylan Menzie
What: Folk, Roots
Where: Belle River, PEI
Visit: www.dylanmenzie.com
Andi
CBC Searchlight Finalist: Andi
What: R&B, Jazz, Pop, Electronic
Where: Caledon, ON
Visit: www.andimusic.com
The Midnight Sons Band
What: Rock
Where: Whitehorse, Yukon
Visit: www.themidnightsons.ca
Slight shades of the jam band scene and the Allman Brothers abound in the sound of Whitehorse’s The Midnight Sons Band. The group, formed in late 2012, employs melodic guitar, soulful vocals, and occasional time signature bending drums to create a sound that is at once dynamic and unique, drawing from contemporary rock, blues, and folk music. Earlier this year, The Midnight Sons Band celebrated the release of their debut record, Traction.
The album’s title track serves as the perfect complement to the Yukon’s seemingly endless summer days while they flex their muscles a little more prominently on “Next Time Around” and “Contraband.” Following in the footsteps of acts like The Sheepdogs, The Midnight Sons Band could be destined for a career of rock and roll glory.
The BelleRegards
What: Folk
Where: Toronto, ON
Visit: www.belleregards.com
Formed in 2012 by members that met at the Harris Institute, Toronto folk band The BelleRegards have been making waves worldwide thanks to their high-energy live shows and infectious songs. The band’s spirited material draws equal influence from the worlds of bluegrass, country, and folk, earning them comparisons to neo-traditionalist acts like the Punch Brothers.
They released their debut effort, Nothing To Lose, in 2013, supporting the album with shows throughout Canada at prestigious music festivals like Mariposa. In 2014, they had the opportunity to venture overseas for performances in Glasgow, London, and Cardiff. Given the momentum that the group built with their debut album, potentially greater things lay in store when The BelleRegards drop their sophomore effort later this year.
Joanna Borromeo
What: Urban/R&B
Where: Calgary, AB
Visit: www.joannaborromeo.com
Calgary singer Joanna Borromeo represents a new wave of Canadian jazz/R&B singers who combine the traditional elements of the genres with modern urban and rock elements, including nods to Motown and other pivotal eras. Her debut full-length, Kaleidoscope, earned her a Western Canadian Music Award nomination in the Urban Recording of the Year category.
The most impressive aspect of Borromeo’s album is that she doesn’t hide behind anything. Without a hint of pitch correction or needless guest spots, she allows her stunning voice to do all the work. Those looking for a reference point can think of her alongside Chantal Kreviazuk, but with more urban elements entwined in the music. The diversity of her sound – something that seems as though it comes incredibly naturally – should see her break into the mainstream, or at the very least, Starbucks locations across the country.