Songsmiths is heading west for the first “Prairie Pop’n” showcase happening adjacent to the BreakOut West Conference and Festival in Kelowna, British Columbia. The songwriting project will be presenting five women-identifying artists and songwriters from Manitoba and connecting them to influential industry contacts in key music markets.
This mini showcase on Saturday, October 14 from 5:45 to 7:00pm in the SUN FM Studio at the Rotary Centre for the Arts will performances from five artists including: WCMA Global artist of the year nominee Onna Lou, singer-songwriter Shay Wolf, Filipino pop queen HERA, indie pop artist and producer Daggerss, and Metis/Polish avant-pop pianist Kwiat.
Songsmiths, formerly known as the Winnipeg Music Project, is an Western Canadian Music Award nominated endeavor dedicated to spotlighting music-makers from across Canada. Songsmiths is a national catalyst for discovery, empowerment and promotion of music across all genres. While preserving and celebrating Canadian music through stories of songwriting and the unique journeys of artists who love what they do, Songsmiths inspires a new generation of music makers and music lovers.
BreakOut West is an annual music industry event and music festival that focuses on showcasing and promoting Western Canadian music talent. It primarily highlights artists and musicians from the western provinces of Canada, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. BreakOut West serves as a platform for emerging and established artists to connect with industry professionals, gain exposure, and participate in networking opportunities.
Venue Information
Sun FM Studio
Rotary Centre For The Arts
421 Cawston Ave.
Kelowna, British Columbia
A 2-minute walk from the conference hotel!
Meet The Artists
Shay Wolf
Shay Wolf is a prairie-born, classically trained pianist turned singer/songwriter. Her music works its way into the cracks of your heart and will leave you feeling like you’ve just daydreamed for hours watching the clouds go by. Shay Wolf has been compared to Sarah McLachlan and Joni Mitchell and she released her debut EP, ‘Stay’, in March of 2023.
Set Time: 5:45pm
Onna Lou
With a degree in Contemporary Writing and Production from world renowned Berklee College of Music and another in Classical Music Composition from Universidad Católica Argentina in Buenos Aires, Onna Lou is an internationally recognized, highly educated musician, and artist who is well known for her heartfelt lyrics, and her ability to blend traditional with contemporary sounds.
She released her chart-topping album, “Diamante” with the support of Canada Council for the Arts which reached 15th week on the Earshot Charts, having peaked at #1 on three Charts. She ranks among the 2.1% of female identifying producers in the industry today, who also writes, plays instruments on, and records her own music. She’s been nominated for Global artist of the year at the 2023 Western Canadian Music Awards.
Set Time: 6:00pm
HERA
Born and raised in the Philippines, Hera Nalam first came to Treaty One Territory in the year 2011 when she was 16 years old. Ever since then she has immersed herself in the local creative platforms all over Winnipeg from music, theatre, film and fashion and is making waves as a true inter-disciplinary artist. Hera started singing at an early age having grown up in a family of singers. She sang in vocal jazz and choir throughout high school and upon graduating from the Just TV Program at Broadway Neighbourhood Centre, Hera started writing her own music and performing them with her guitar across the city of Winnipeg. Blending pop, jazz funk and rnb influences with a twist of drama from Original Pilipino Music, Hera’s sweet voice and playful lyrics have swayed listeners in multiple local stages including the Park Theatre and the Goodwill Social Club. Her music and natural stage presence has also charmed audiences as far as New York city when she opened up the stage at Bowery Poetry Club in April 2020.
Set Time: 6:15pm
Daggerss
Daggerss is the queen of the underdogs. She’s the crystalline sparkle of the day and the haunting siren song of the night. She is an artist and producer transplanted from the West Coast of BC to the small town of Altona, Manitoba. Her love of synthesizers, sonic experimentation, and vocal technique are a heavy influence on her creations. Her past includes; the Canadian indie pop duo Rococode, who toured relentlessly across Canada, charted in the top 50 on Canadian Alt radio and top10 on college radio and had songs featured in major TV programs in Canada and the US, ambient instrumental project Ollorjya (Flood Tide Records). But her present and future is creating devastatingly catchy and emotive new songs with her solo project, Daggerss, songwriting and producing for other artists, playing drums and singing in the upcoming rock band trio Hot Soup.
Set Time: 6:30pm
Kwiat
Kwiat is a Winnipeg-based Métis Polish avant-pop artist with sophisticated vocals and elaborate piano melodies. Her music draws inspiration from Fiona Apple, Japanese Breakfast, and Regina Spektor. Kwiat embraces well-crafted storytelling with honesty and a striking sonic palette, delivering music that's drama-driven, emotionally gripping, and relatable. She's an avid collaborator and participant in programs that give back to her community.
Set Time: 6:45pm