Showcase Artists

Music PEI presents a roster of exporting or export-ready artists ready to showcase their abundant talent to international industry professionals.

2023 Line-Up
AARON COMEAU

Drawing on his extensive experience as a producer, engineer, and side musician, his songs cross genre boundaries effortlessly, ranging from pulsing Americana numbers to simple lullabies to untamed rock and roll anti-anthems. His lyrics strive for economy and concreteness, and revolve around the search for identity in today’s pervasive media landscape. Comeau’s debut album as a vocalist, Infinity Trials, is due out autumn 2023.

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ABSOLUTE LOSERS

Formed in 2019, Absolute Losers is a post-punk trio that writes pop songs hidden beneath wiry guitar work, intertwining bass and drum parts, and nonchalant vocals. Rather than overcompensating, the band leans into their thinness as a trio with active interplay between instruments making each part count. Their sound has drawn comparisons to 70’s New York bands while absorbing their angular tendencies from modern post-punk.

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ALICIA TONER

Alicia Toner, a multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, released her latest album ‘Joan’ in 2021, marking the arrival of a truly remarkable artist. With two East Coast Music Award nominations (Rising Star and Solo Recording of the Year) and a Canadian Folk Music Award for Solo Artist of the Year, ‘Joan’ demands attention with its hooks, masterful vocals, compelling lyrics, and top-notch production.

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BRAD MILLIGAN

Brad Milligan’s vocals and charismatic stage presence draw comparisons to the Eagles and Bruce Springsteen. His 2022 successes include a Music PEI Award win, ECMA showcases, participation in Ontario’s Sound of Music Festival, and opening for Our Lady Peace at Rock the Boat Music Fest. Expanding on these achievements, he opened for Brett Kissel in Charlottetown and released the “Gettin’ Better” EP in June 2023.

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BRAEDENV

Charlottetown-based BraedenV is a singer, rapper, and producer. Constantly creating, BraedenV’s music seamlessly merges thought-provoking rap verses with emotive melodies and sing-along choruses, crafting a diverse sound that fuses hip-hop with hints of R&B, pop, electronic, and alternative genres. He most recently performed at the Electric Pines Festival in Nova Scotia.

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BRANDON HOWARD ROY

A force in the Canadian indie pop scene, Brandon’s recent single ‘Give Me Love’ was nominated for ECMA Song of the Year and his electric stage presence and dazzling vocal range have packed venues and festival stages across the Maritimes. He has just returned from showcasing at Germany’s 2023 Reeperbahn Festival and is excited to release his second album, Bravo Hotel Romeo, this fall.

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CATHERINE MACLELLAN

JUNO award winner, and ECMA songwriter of the year, Catherine MacLellan, has released 7 albums over 20 years while touring the world. She makes her home in her beloved province of Prince Edward Island, and much of her music reflects the landscape of the island. Her music takes you through heartbreak, loss and the joy of life. Dedicated to the craft of songwriting, her desire for connection is at the heart of her work.

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DYLAN MENZIE

Since 2013, Dylan Menzie has been steadily building a catalog of critically acclaimed, award winning music. A combination of folk, rock and pop elements, Menzies style is best described as Indie Pop Americana. His dynamic vocals and compelling songwriting have given him the opportunity to showcase & tour across Canada and other countries around the world. Following his award winning single “A Heart That Doesn’t Want Mine” – His latest release, “Modern Classic” is a series of acoustic recordings written, produced and recorded by Menzie in his home studio.

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GORDIE MACKEEMAN AND HIS RHYTHM BOYS

There’s no other band around like Gordie MacKeeman and His Rhythm Boys. Led by fiddling wiz Gordie “Crazylegs” MacKeeman, this roots quartet features all-star pickers and singers, playing everything from down-home country to reckless rockabilly to intricate bluegrass. The band has excited crowds all over the world, from Denmark’s Tonder Festival and the U.K.’s Glastonbury and Cambridge Folk Festivals, to Merlefest in North Carolina and the Port Fairy Folk Festival in Australia.

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HEATHER

Heather is a five-piece rock band hailing from Prince Edward Island’s beautiful north shore. The band comprises Evan Martin on lead vocals, Colin Crowther and Jarred Kenny on guitar, Cameron Menzies on bass guitar, and Peter Doucette on drums. Influenced by Audioslave, The Trews, and Big Wreck, Heather walks the edge of tube breakup with groove-driven riffs and visceral expression. Hot out of the studio,“Foundations”, their debut EP released in June.

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INN ECHO

Inn Echo weaves hundreds of years of traditional tunes with contemporary originals and arrangements that soar. With technical precision, their mastery of instruments is the talk of the national and international folk music scene. From Music PEI awards to tours in Austria, Australia, and Ireland, Inn Echo is undoubtedly the traditional band to watch as they emerge as Prince Edward Island’s greatest Celtic fusion export in years to come.

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IRISH MYTHEN

Irish Mythen is a multi-award-winning solo act known for powerful live performances, playing at renowned festivals including Glastonbury Festival, as a “not to miss” act. Juno-nominated for their latest album, they’ve won multiple ECMA and Music PEI awards, along with the 2020 CFMA Canadian Artist of the Year title. This year, Irish is finalizing a new album, embarking on international tours, and commencing work on a visual companion for the upcoming record.

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JOCE REYOME

Joce Reyome has been captivating audiences with dynamic performances on stages across Canada’s East Coast, their newfound home. Blending classic blues sounds with a fresh perspective while staying true to their singer-songwriter roots, Joce draws inspiration from artists like Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, and Tracy Chapman. Winner of Music PEI’s 2022 “Entertainer of the Year Award,” they deliver powerful raw vocals and don’t hold back when they step onto the stage.

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JUSTYN THYME

Justyn Thyme, the artistic emancipation of ECMA-nominated and Music PEI award-winning Justyn Young, is a multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter and proud child of Charlottetown, PEI. His cathartic songwriting, shaped by nostalgia and spontaneous inspiration, resonates with a lifetime of memories. His latest single, “It’s Been Awhile,” delves into letting go after a pandemic and unrest, shedding light on releasing burdens and finding a sense of relief and renewal.

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LAWRENCE MAXWELL

Lawrence Maxwell’s album “Ballad of Miles” received seven Music PEI Award nominations and airplay on platforms like Sirius XM’s ‘Top of the Country,’ Country Hits Radio UK, and CBC’s ‘Q.’ Lauded by Roots Music Canada as “the first great Canadian alt-country album of 2022,” the record’s neo-traditional production draws comparisons to John Prine and Merle Haggard. An ECMA award nominee and two-time Music PEI award winner, Maxwell will tell it to you like it’s folk, and sing it to you like it’s country.

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LIZZY HARDINGHAM

PART OF THE ARTIST EXCHANGE PROGRAM WITH THE ENGLISH FOLK EXPO

Folk-infused singer-songwriter Lizzy Hardingham performs songs that drive straight to the heart, giving audiences a chance for genuine connection and empathy. Hardingham is paving her way as a powerhouse performer with beautifully delivered songs, her wonderful voice grabbing the listener from the very first note and holding on until the last. Think Joni Mitchell, Sandy Denny and KT Tunstall all wrapped into one.

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LOGAN RICHARD

Spellbinding R&B grooves, pop hooks galore, a smooth voice that wraps you in, and tasteful blues-tinged guitar licks that make you realize why many are calling him one of the best up-and-coming young guitarists in the country: This is what you get upon catching one of Logan Richard’s live shows. With hundreds of thousands of listens on Spotify and airplay on CBC Radio 2, the Music PEI Award winner has garnered a dedicated legion of fans even at this early stage in his career, as his soundscape mix of pop, blues, R&B and indie rock pinpoints a creatively-crafted sound while it spans the genres.

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RICK SPARKES

Sparkes moved from New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island in 2003, embracing roles as a writer, musician, and teacher. With three albums since 2017, his fusion of poetry, folk rock, and harmonies offers innovation within familiarity. His writing gained recognition through the Island Literary Awards and CBC Poetry Prize shortlists. Sparkes’ albums garnered nationwide acclaim and nominations, including the 2022 East Coast Music Awards’ Group Recording of the Year for his album “Pleasure in the Pathless Woods.”

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SARAH HAGEN

A classical pianist with a wry wit, Sarah Hagen enjoys a rich and diverse concertising life as both soloist and humorist. She has toured extensively across Canada, Europe, and the US, including twice to New York City’s Carnegie Hall. Her interpretations have been described as “outstandingly inventive” and “played flawlessly”. Sarah has released four albums, including a celebrated recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations, earning Music PEI awards and East Coast Music Award nominations. Sarah also writes completely uneducated wine reviews for her blog, “ARTIST WINES! – Uncorking musician-priced cellar secrets.”

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SCOTT MACKAY

From the sounds of slap-back echo, twangy Telecasters and swooning pedal steel, it’s clear that Scott MacKay has an affinity for country music of the 1950s and ‘60s. But the singer/songwriter from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island also has a sharp wit that shines through on the 10 original songs that comprise his latest ECMA-winning album Stupid Cupid, a collection that offers a fresh, modern take on classic country.

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SIMON ALEXANDER

PART OF THE ARTIST EXCHANGE PROGRAM WITH WESTSIDE MUSIC SWEDEN

From the Swedish west coast, Simon Alexander revitalizes modern indie folk/rock. EP ‘In the Rust’ and debut album ‘A Place to Call Home’ earned acclaim for their international sound, blending serene stories with intense arrangements. With a captivating stage presence, he’s graced festivals like SPOT, Viva Sounds, and Live at Heart. Major media like Mahogany and Alex Rainbird Music, Swedish National Radio play, and Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists have spotlighted him. Simon’s profound lyrics, heartfelt melodies, and unique voice have drawn a growing interest in this versatile singer-songwriter.

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TARA MACLEAN

Canadian singer/songwriter Tara MacLean has been an internationally renowned and award-winning recording and touring artist for over 25 years. She has released six solo albums and two with her Juno nominated band, Shaye. In 2023 Tara released her first book, Song of the Sparrow (Harper Collins) and an accompanying standalone soundtrack. Her greatest joy is being a mother to her three beautiful girls

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TIFFANY LIU

Tiffany has over 20 years of experience playing the pipa, winning first place in the professional group of the Northeast Three Provinces Traditional Instrument Invitational Competition in China before moving to Canada in 2016. Since then, Tiffany has introduced the pipa to many audiences on PEI, performing at events such as The Island Drive-In Festival, Canada Day 2020, and Illumination Festival of Canada Games 2023. She was awarded with PEI Provincial Arts Grant in 2022 to create her first pipa album.

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THE UMBRELLA COLLECTIVE

The Charlottetown-based Umbrella Collective infuses local rap, reggae, and R&B with the liveliness of a live five-piece band. Focused on collaboration and community, the Collective hosts live shows with plans to incorporate visual arts, dance, and poetry. Emerging in 2021, their energetic and distinctive vibe has already left a mark, showcasing at M for Montreal, DiverseCite Festival, and performing at the Canada Games IllumiNation Festival in 2023, they’re eager to grow further.