Kelsey Arsenault (she/her) is a singer-songwriter and certified music therapist. From the small town of Ferryland at the edge of the ocean, she grew up steeped in stories and songs. For the last number of years, she has been crafting a songbook of original music; sketching scenes of contentment, indecision, love, and overcast weather. Kelsey’s output is carved both by the waves of contemporary pop harmony, and tides of Newfoundland folk. A 2023 MusicNL “Rising Star of the Year” nominee, her debut album “Gallery Walls” was released this past October. She’s the first woman of her hometown to release an album of originals, and she hopes that something in her music connects with something in you.
A professional musician since 1975, Kelly has been a member of landmark groups Figgy Duff, The Wonderful Grand Band, The Plankerdown Band, Bristol’s Hope, Kelly Russell & The Planks and The Irish Descendants. Working closely for many years with legendary fiddlers Rufus Guinchard and Emile Benoit, learning, recording and documenting their unique music, Kelly has inherited genuine status as one of Newfoundland’s leading traditional music performers. A prominent musical ambassador, Kelly has performed in such countries as England, Ireland, France, Sweden, Denmark, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Spain, the USA and all across Canada. His own record label, Pigeon Inlet Productions (est. 1979), has released well over 30 full length recordings on LP, Cassette and CD.He has published a 2 Volume Collection of NL fiddle music “Kelly Russell’s Collection”, documenting over 500 tunes in musical notation. Kelly has taught fiddle to many students, several now successful performers themselves.He has also been active in reviving the art of storytelling and recitation, inspired by his late father, Ted Russell (creator of The Chronicles of Uncle Mose – Tales from Pigeon Inlet). Kelly has been awarded the Nfld & Lab Arts Council Award for Music (1987), twice awarded the Tourism Industry Association Certificate of Recognition (1991 & 1997), the prestigious Marius Barbeau Award (1997) for his contribution to Canadian Folklore and the City of St. John’s Legend Award (1999). In March of 2010, Kelly was the first ever recipient of the “Tradition Bearer” designation from the Department of Tourism Historic Commemorations Program. In 2013 he received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, in 2015 became a member of The Order of Canada and in 2021, received an honorary Doctorate from MUN.
There is something truly captivating about Juno award nominee, Kellie Loder. It can be found in their poignant and timely lyrics set against magical melodies. It can also be found in the singer/songwriter’s electrifying live shows, inspiring profound emotion in listeners. You’ll cry, you’ll laugh, and you’ll tell your friends about it. CBC q’s Tom Power proclaims “If I were a betting man, I’d bet the house on Kellie Loder being the next big thing out of Newfoundland”. Loder is the first place runner-up of City TV’s Canada’s Got Talent where they triumphantly wowed audiences and judges with their outstanding mesmerizing performances. Included in their long list of accolades are 2022 ECMA nominations for Songwriter of the Year as well as Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year. They were named the 2021 Ron Hynes Songwriter of the Year at the Music NL Awards and received a 2021 ECMA Award for their groundbreaking music video and compelling song, “Molded Like A Monster”. Their 2019 single “Fearless”, received high praise and was chosen as the soundtrack behind CBC’s 2021 Tokyo Olympics coverage as well as the soundtrack behind an IMAX Trailer for Superpower Dogs, narrated by Chris Evans (Captain America/Avengers). Their continued accomplishments and hard work has placed them on the same performance stages as Melissa Etheridge, Steven Page, Paul Brady, Joel Plaskett, Alan Doyle, and more. Anyone who has heard Loder or watched them perform knows one thing is certain: they’re a towering talent about to explode on the world stage.
Kelly McMichael is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer and songwriter based in St John’s NL. Her debut LP ‘Waves’ broke through the pandemic haze as a notable independent release in 2021, getting shortlisted for The Polaris Prize and winning The East Coast Music Award for Best Rock Album as well as three MusicnNL awards including Songwriter of the Year.
‘Waves’ has been praised for its dense collection of instant rock/pop classics. Accolades for rich production and lush sounds are due to Kelly’s collaborative work with drummer/producer/engineer Jake Nicoll (The Burning Hell) who helped create dreamy textures with unique analog gear. McMichael’s commanding vocals deliver contemplative lyrics and her playful melodies and arrangements serve up distinct originality and timelessness.
Kelly has worked with many acts in the studio and on the road, including Sarah Harmer, Regina Gently/Gentleman Reg, Thelma & Louise, Rouge, The Burning Hell and Allie X. She has recently been able to focus primarily on her own music with a second album due out spring 2024. The lead single “Tour From Hell” demonstrates McMichael’s deep well of creativity, signaling a new body of work that is getting wilder while maintaining its catchiness.
Photo Credit: Colin Medley
Katie Baggs is an indie-folk singer-songwriter from St. John’s who has been writing and performing as a solo artist and in groups (such as Dead Language, All the Wiles, and Pilot to Bombardier) since 2008. She has sculpted her sound over the course of two solo records, Home Again, Home Again (2012), and Wonderful Strange (2015).
Katie Anne Colbourne is a singer-songwriter from Corner Brook, Newfoundland. At 18 years old, she performs covers and original music, singing and playing the guitar and piano. She can attribute her vocal tone and musical understanding to many years of studying and performing classical music, although her recent songwriting could be described as a blend of indie-folk.
Three time MusicNL award winner and two time ECMA nominee, Roddickton, Newfoundland and Labrador native Karla Pilgrim has spent the last 15 years winning over audiences from coast to coast. From performing for troops in The Middle East, May of 2007, to opening multiple sold out shows for country music superstar Tim McGraw in August 2015 at the Mile One Stadium in St. Johns, NL, Pilgrim’s experience as a performer knows no boundaries.
In June of 2009, after years of playing shows, writing and travelling, Pilgrim released her award winning solo album ‘I’ll Think of You’. Riding the success of her first record Pilgrim was selected to open for Alan Jackson when he rolled through town in August of 2010. She enlisted friends to join her for what would be three unforgettable nights. After rave reviews, they did the only thing that made sense – form a band.
Karla Pilgrim, Terri Lynn Eddy and Renée Batten joined forces in 2010 as country vocal trio The Secrets. In July 2012 they set out on a six week cross Canada tour which included stops at Saskatchewan’s Ness Creek Folk Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Stan Rogers International Folk Festival, World Pride Festival (Toronto), Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women and Song, Acoustic Maritime Music Festival and Cavendish Beach Music Festival.
Following the much anticipated June 8th (2014) release of their Nashville recorded debut album ‘Break Even’, produced by Peter Daniel Newman, they toured consistently and made multiple trips across Canada and into the US. Riding high on lots of success, their time together would soon come to and end. In 2019 Pilgrim co-produced Jackie Sullivan’s critically acclaimed and MusicNL nominated sophomore album ‘Find Your Light’.
In Jan of 2021 following the departure of Batten, The Secrets decided to close up shop. In fine fashion Pilgrim and Eddy wasted no time and formed a brand new duo and headed into the studio. LadyLike released their new single Princess Charming in May of 2021
Karla continues to perform as a solo act as well as with duo partner of 18 years, Jackie Sullivan. 2021 onward has been very rewarding for Pilgrim – hitting the road with Sullivan and recording new music with LadyLike as well as making her debut with the Spirit of Newfoundland. 2023 is looking to be off to a promising start with Karla and LadyLike releasing their third single on the heels off a performance with The Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra.
Since launching his career in early 2020, Justin Fancy, who hails from Conception Bay South, Newfoundland, has quickly become one to watch on the Canadian Country Music scene.
Masterfully combining classic country songwriting with his own take on today’s country sound, Justin’s music is both fresh and familiar.
After releasing two stand-alone singles in early 2020, Justin released his debut album, Sure Beats a Good Time, which became the catalyst for Justin winning Music Newfoundland’s 2020 Country Artist of the Year
and Rising Star of the Year. It was the first time in the history of the awards that the same artist has won both categories in the same year. Fresh off his most recent win at the 2022 MusicNL Awards for Fan’s Choice Entertainer of The Year, Justin was also crowned the 2022 ECMA’s Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year back in May.
In June 2021, Justin’s single “Makes Me Wanna” was chosen as Rogers One to Watch, propelling the single to #42 on the Billboard Canadian Radio charts. In addition, the single secured the #1 spot on Sirius XM Canada’s CBC Country chart and held the position for three consecutive weeks. His latest single “Better Than You” also just hit #1 for two consecutive weeks on the same chart.
In October 2021, Justin became the first-ever Canadian Country Artist to be invited by The Recording Academy to take part of their Press Play at Home concert series on Grammy.com (watch it here).
Fancy’s debut album, Sure Beats A Good Time, debuted in the No. 3 position on Apple’s iTunes Canadian Country music chart. The record would go on to rack up more than a half-million streams across major streaming platforms. In addition to his single “Makes Me Wanna” peaking at #42 on the Billboard radio charts and being played at over 70 radio stations across Canada.
Jing Xia is a professional guzheng artist and scholar based in Newfoundland, Canada. Born and
raised in Hunan, China, Xia started to study the guzheng at six years old and has degrees in
Music Performance (B.A.), Arts Management (M.A.), and Ethnomusicology (Ph.D.). As a
performer of all styles, her musical journey on the guzheng has encompassed Chinese traditional
and folk music to intercultural ensembles, improvisation, rock music, and beyond. Xia has been
active in the music scenes in North America and performed in diverse musical events. Her most
recent activities include world-premiering Jubilant Entanglements, a guzheng concerto by
Canadian composer Andrew Staniland with Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra in January
2023. Xia is the winner of the 2022 MusicNL award “Rising Star of the Year,” the 2022 Artist in
Residence at Lawnya Vawnya, and a nominee of two ECMA 2023 awards (Global Recording of
the Year; Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year).
