If you’re heading to Brighton for The Great Escape, alongside all the other new music and buzzy bands, you should be getting ready for an exciting showcase of Canada’s independent artists too.
CIMA, the organization behind Canada’s indie music scene, is teaming up with Alberta Music, Manitoba Music, Music BC, Music Nova Scotia, MusicOntario, SaskMusic, and SODEC to present 18 artists over three days at the Green Door Store. We’ve picked out five of our favourites, but you can check the full crew out in the playlist below.
Haily Blais
Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Haley Blais has been blazing her own trail since 2014. Armed with a guitar and a fierce DIY spirit, she’s been churning out defiant and relatable bedroom pop anthems recorded in her actual bedroom. With a sound that’s matured into something special, her lyrics explore the highs and lows of everyday life, with themes of radical acceptance, breaking free from the mundane, and manifesting a world where you’re surrounded by people you’re proud to call your own. Haley Blais is the real deal.
Green Door Store, 1:00pm, Thursday 11th May
Pillow Fite
Comprised of singer-songwriter Art Ross (they/them) and guitarist Aaron Green (he/him), Pillow Fite breaks down genre barriers and creates a listening experience that’s as dynamic as it is binge-worthy. Their unique blend of catchy alt-rock and folky ballads, paired with tender and heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics, will give you all the feels and leave you wanting more.
Green Door Store, 12:15pm, Friday 12th May
Ellevator
Ellevator is a band that knows how to balance precision with passion. Their music draws inspiration from the cool guitar sounds of the late 2000s and the sweeping drama of post-rock. But it’s frontwoman Nabi Sue Bersche’s raw lyricism that really sets them apart. She takes on powerful themes like love, power, and loss with clear-eyed lucidity, delivering lyrics that are deeply personal and unforgettable. Their debut album, produced by indie-rock legend Chris Walla, was released in 2022 via Arts & Crafts.
Green Door Store, 2:30pm, Friday 12th May
Katie Tupper
Nestled within the vibrant city of Saskatoon, Canada, lies a creative spirit that refuses to be overlooked. Katie Tupper embodies the soul of the prairies and is determined to showcase the diverse and genre-defying talent that emerges from this overlooked region. Her debut EP, ‘Towards The End’, released in 2022, has been celebrated by tastemakers such as Zane Lowe, proving that there’s a wealth of boundary-pushing artists waiting to be discovered beyond the endless grasslands and towering grain silos.
Green Door Store, 3:15pm, Friday 12th May
Georgia Harmer
Hailing from the vibrant city of Toronto, Georgia Harmer is an artist with a voice that will leave you spellbound. Her passion for music started when she was just a child, writing and recording her songs at the tender age of 10. As a teenager, she toured the world as a backing vocalist, honing her craft and perfecting her sound. Her debut album, ‘Stay in Touch’, is a collection of emotive and evocative tracks that capture the essence of life’s fleeting moments. With a maturity and insight beyond her years, Harmer’s music brings to life the highs and lows of human experience, creating a beautiful tapestry of emotions that will stay with you long after the music stops.
Green Door Store, 4:00pm, Friday 12th May
Canada House takes place at Brighton’s Green Door Store between 11th and 13th May. You can check out the full timings in the image below.
