Formerly the best kept secret in soul music, Toronto-based Tanika Charles has become a known staple of the genre both at home and abroad. Her music revels in honesty and attitude, her live show is high energy and endearing, and she continues to win audiences over one stream, one Shazam and one encore at a time. In 2016 Tanika independently released her debut album Soul Run, which would be re-released through the Italian label Record Kicks in 2017. Soul Run was long-listed for the 2016 Polaris Music Prize and nominated for the 2017 Juno Award for best R&B/Soul Recording of the Year. Tanika’s 2019 sophomore album The Gumption picks up where Soul Run left off, continuing her tradition of marrying classic soul with modern production and instrumentation. She was again long-listed for the 2019 Polaris Music Prize and had the honour of being named the inaugural Polaris artist-in-residence for 2020 at the Studio Bell National Music Centre. In early 2020 The Gumption was nominated for the Juno Awards 2020 R&B/Soul Recording of the Year.Backed by her band The Wonderfuls, Tanika has embarked on five international tours since releasing Soul Run, performing in front of many thousands of fans across nine countries. Tanika’s live show oscillates between faithful recreations of her studio recordings and revealing influences of rock, gospel and country influences. Apart from performing her original material, Tanika made her theatrical debut in the 2017 touring production Freedom Singer.
VISSIA
It is undeniable that Edmonton, Alberta artist – VISSIA – is a songwriting and performing force to be reckoned with. With a show-stopper of a voice and a knack for storytelling, VISSIA captures the minuscule moments of monotonous everyday life and turns them to gold on her fearless new album, With Pleasure; an album that pines for connection, reminiscing on missed connections, and blurry nights out that meant everything. On every song it feels like love is just around the corner. It’s a contagious feeling that makes us hopeful for the future and desperately excited to meet it.
VISSIA has made high-profile appearances at c/o Pop in Cologne, the UK’s Great Escape Festival, NXNE, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival and the Canmore Folk Music Festival.
