Blundstone Playlist VIII

Moved by his modern day heroes Dominic Fike, Harry Styles and Caye, Dempsey Bolton turns his heartbreak and hardship into upbeat indie pop anthems. After showcasing at Breakout West and MUSEXPO 2024, Dempsey is working full time as a music producer, releasing his sophomore album “I’m Not Sad, U Are” in April 2025.

Micah Sage is an Alternative/Pop artist known for her unique blend of dreamy, soulful, and cinematic sound. A self-taught writer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, she garnered attention with her self-produced debut EP in 2023, which earned notable radio play, award nominations, and charted success across Canada. Her sophomore EP,The Radical Acceptance, released in September 2024, marks another ambient milestone in her growing career.

Ayla Tesler-Mabé is a 24-year-old songwriter, producer, educator, and musician known for her unique blend of alternative R&B and psychedelic rock. Starting her musical journey on the cello, Ayla transitioned to bass, guitar, and drums, gaining viral recognition at 15 with her YouTube cover of Led Zeppelin’s "Since I’ve Been Loving You." She toured globally and performed at many notable festivals with her former band, Calpurnia, while her current band, Ludic, has opened for Grammy-winning artists Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes) and Snarky Puppy.

Ayla launched her solo career as a featured artist and songwriter on WILLOW’s 2021 album lately I feel EVERYTHING and has worked closely with guitar brands such as Fender and Ernie Ball. Her educational videos and YouTube guitar covers have garnered millions of views, further establishing her influence in the music community. In 2023, she released her debut solo EP Let Me Out!!, where she was the sole producer, songwriter, and musician. Her latest singles, "Am I" and the upcoming "Endless Summer," hint at her evolving sound, blending groove and psychedelia with a rock edge.

Super Duty Tough Work is the brand name for live and recorded music, created and presented by Winnipeg based musician and producer, Brendan Grey (Kinley) accompanied by select collaborating artists. Golden-era taste, future-era based. Tylenol 3 for capitalist migraines. Resistance based-debauchery for disaffected baddies. Super Duty Tough Work is a constantly evolving, art-rap ensemble with their intentions set on pushing a radical politic of revolution, party and bullshit. Inspired by the dirty jazz sample sound of 90s east coast hip hop and revered for their methodically curated sets, SDTW mix laidback rap action and razor-sharp delivery with hypnotic loops and effortless transitions, keeping audiences on their toes and excited for what’s next. Two time Polaris nominated, Western Canadian Music Award-winning, world-traveling, they excel on stage and on record with a fresh take on tradition in a movement where loops are slayed and jewels are tools of the trade.

Wolf Castle is an Indigenous Mi’kmaq rapper and producer from Pabineau First Nation, New Brunswick - an unlikely place for a rap career to come to fruition but everything about Wolf Castle defies the odds.

Growing up on the reserve with a supportive family of artists, movie directors and musicians,
going for a career in the arts seemed like the natural choice. Heralded as “The Maritimes’ most promising young MC” by Complex and “one of this country's most promising young rappers” by CBC Music, his music carries an energy and wisdom beyond his years covering topics about love, loss, celebration, and perseverance.

Mixing pop-rap with old school roots, his lyrics have been described as catchy and confessional. Wolf Castle likes to keep listeners on their toes and deliver a new perspective on being young, indigenous, and proud of it.

Zimani Folade is a dynamic artist and cultural storyteller from Nova Scotia, known for blending ancestral rhythms with contemporary expression. She was named ECMA African Canadian Artist of the Year in 2021

Blending authentic songwriting with modern indie flare, Braden Lam is forging the path to a new 21st century folk and americana sound. The young artist from Canada “crafts an expansive but intimate sonic world for us to lose ourselves in” (Earmilk) and was named “Nova Scotia’s emerging songwriting sensation” (Grid City Magazine) for his unique and award-winning musical style. A fully realized vision delivered with atypical wisdom and maturity, his debut album The Cloudmaker’s Cry due April 11, 2025 sees Lam with his feet on the ground and his gaze tilted skyward, voice lifted to the wind. 

Having already released album singles Beautiful Neighbourhoods and Highway Jesus, Lam is also sharing a new standout Wide Open, a duet with Vancouver’s Michaela Slinger. The track, perhaps most deeply indebted to classic country on the album, is a heartbreaker in the Plant & Krauss way, detailing a hard time in a relationship on which Braden Lam regrets, and repents: “If you wanna try to forgive / I’ll be your window in the morning / Crack me wide open.” Written by Lam & Slinger after a chance encounter in Nashville, the pair delicately explore the one percent of magic that remains through adversity, drawing us in closer and out stronger on the other side. 

This song features Michaela Slinger, a Vancouver-based indie-pop singer-songwriter signed to 604 Records, known for her soulful vocals and insightful lyrics that explore themes of love, self-discovery, and the human experience.

Acclaimed “Inuindie” pop star Beatrice Deer is a singer-songwriter based in Montreal. Half Inuk and half Mohawk, Beatrice was born and raised in Nunavik, Quebec, in the small village of Quaqtaq.

Her award-winning songs are crafted upon deeply personal lyrics and blend indie rock and modern folk with traditional Inuit stories and throat singing. She has released seven studio albums and sings in three languages: Inuktitut, English, and French.

A beloved figure in Arctic Canada with an illustrious career marked by a string of remarkable achievements and accolades that underscore her immense talent and profound impact on the arts community. Beatrice's remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists and a testament to the transformative power of creativity and dedication. 

Hughes, the alternative roots project of Yellowknife musician Benji Straker, blends heartfelt melodies, introspective lyrics, and surf-inspired guitars to explore self-discovery and the human experience. Infused with a blues rock twist, their sound combines reverb-drenched riffs with folk storytelling.  

Joined by Ben Cornel (bass/vocals), Vishwaa Ramakrishnan (lead guitar), and Glen Whelan (drums), Hughes transforms into a dynamic live band, delivering energetic and deeply resonant performances. Inspired by northern landscapes and personal stories, Hughes seamlessly mixes introspection, raw emotion, and vibrant rhythms, offering audiences an evocative journey that’s as powerful solo as it is with the full band. 

Lost in Japan is a multi award winning band hailing from London, Canada. Since their first EP release back in 2018 Lost In Japan has since released 2 records, another EP and are currently in the process of recording a new project for 2025. Lost in Japan paved their way in the Canadian music scene after charting twice in Canada with their singles “Red Line” & “Lonely”. Their live show is an unforgettable experience that fills that little hole you’ve been missing your entire life. After releasing their sophomore record in 2023 Night Talks produced by Dan Brodbeck (The Cranberries) & Matt Snell (The Flatliners, Glorious Sons, Banners) Lost in Japan has accumulated millions of streams across the globe. They have also shared the stage with Canadian legends such as The Arkells, 5440, Valley as well as many other international talents! Lost in Japan is a band to look out for.

Arielle Soucy is a Montreal-based singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter who has quickly emerged as a rising star in Quebec's music scene. Her debut album, Il n’y a rien que je ne suis pas (2023), was celebrated as the Best Album of the Year by Le Devoir, CISM, Bandcamp, Exclaim!, and other influential outlets. The album also earned a spot on the Polaris Prize Long
List, highlighting the impact of her organic and minimalist folk approach.

With six nominations at the 2024 ADISQ Awards, including Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Folk Album of the Year, and wins for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Folk Album of the Year at the GAMIQ Awards, Arielle has been recognized for her ability to blend sensitivity with creativity. On tour, she has performed over 70 shows across Quebec and shared the stage with renowned artists such as Philippe B, Philippe Brach, Comment Debord, and Vanille.

Through her introspective songwriting, luminous melodies, and refined arrangements, Arielle Soucy takes her audience on a journey where traditional folk and modern experimentation intertwine with boldness and emotion.

Marissa Burwell makes music that is part back-seat-of-the-minivan crooner, part blow-out-the-speakers indie-rock. Burwell blends moments of warm musical tones featuring thick harmonies wrapped around guitars and gentle drum beats while other moments showcase cathartic bursts of alternative rock, erupting in dizzying crescendos of hammering pianos. Previous releases have cleared a path for Burwell to play some of the most exciting stages in North America and Europe including Reepherbahn, SXSW, Pop Montreal, Great Escape, The New Colossus Festival and more. Burwell will be releasing the first single off her sophomore record in the spring of 2025.

The Lucky Ones are a band from the Yukon Territory, their unique brand of country-roots music imparts traditional arrangements with a contemporary disposition, reminiscent of old-time dances in hotel taverns, barrooms, barns, kitchens, and saloons. Since releasing their self-titled debut album in 2021, The Lucky Ones have quickly come to be regarded as one of Canada’s finest roots music ensembles. The group’s sound is built on a foundation of traditional bluegrass and honky-tonk and expressed through the distinctive song writing of its core members.

Following in the footsteps of Northern country troubadours such as Hank Karr, Buddy Tabor, Al Oster, and Joe Loutchan, The Lucky Ones’ music brings its audience into the hard-lived lives and rugged landscape of Canada’s last frontier. The band is currently touring their most recent release, A Nickel for the Fiddler (2024). Recorded live-off-the-floor at Ganaraska Recording Company with JUNO Award-winning musician and producer, Steve Merriner (Monkey Junk/Colin James), and Jim Bowskill (Blue Rodeo/The Sheepdogs), the album is honest, no-frills, hillbilly injected bluegrass with some country swing sprinkled in for flavour. With features in No Depression, The Bluegrass Situation, CBC, BBC, and more, A Nickel for the Fiddler has received wide acclaim throughout Canada, United States, and abroad.

Sam Langille, Josh Langille, and Daniel Hartinger are Absolute Losers, an indie-rock trio based in Charlottetown, PEI. Since forming in 2019, Absolute Losers have earned a reputation for their air-tight live shows that deliver one burst of energy after the next.

In August of 2023, they released their debut album, “At The Mall,” a danceable 12-track offering that confronts hardships without taking itself too seriously. On their debut, the band camouflages pop sensibilities with wiry guitar work, intertwining bass and drum parts, and hook-laden, nonchalant vocals.

In their latest efforts, Absolute Losers shed the camouflage and proudly bear their knack for catchy melodies, soaring harmonies, and straight-to-point pop songwriting.

Nico Paulo is a Portuguese-Canadian musician and visual artist. Her critically-acclaimed, self-titled debut (April 2023) introduced listeners to her melodically dynamic, open-hearted songwriting as she explored the interconnected nature of relationships and the flow of time in lush, sophisticated pop arrangements. Her upcoming EP, Interval_o (March 2025), finds presence in the process of becoming, celebrating transformational time with intuitive songwriting in warm ambient and minimalist soundscapes. Both records owe their textural intricacy to friend and collaborator Joshua Van Tassel (Villages, Fortunate Ones).

Paulo moved to Canada in 2014 to pursue her art and music, originally setting down roots in Toronto and installing herself in the city’s vibrant creative community. In the early 2020s, she moved east to St. John’s and became an essential part of Newfoundland’s celebrated music scene. Lighting out from her home base on the island, Paulo has established herself as a spellbinding live performer—warbling, swooning, fluttering, dancing—on stages
around the world.