Basia Bulat (ON)
With an electrifying voice and lyrics like silver arrowheads, Basia Bulat has become one of Canada’s most conspicuous talents. Juno-nominated and shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, she often appears solo in gigantic halls, winning over crowds with an autoharp or charango, stomping feet, and two mighty lungs. Her massive talent has also been recognized at scale: Her songs have been adapted for major performances with symphony orchestras, and she’s been tapped for prestigious tributes to Leonard Cohen and the Band. Since releasing her debut album, Oh, My Darling, in 2007, she has shared stages with artists including Arcade Fire, the National, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Daniel Lanois, St. Vincent, Sufjan Stevens, Beirut, Tune-Yards, Destroyer, and Andrew Bird. She has performed at Newport Folk Festival, Montreux Jazz, and Austin City Limits, to name a few. In early 2016, she released Good Advice, a break-up record produced by Jim James of My Morning Jacket in Louisville. The result was a record that pops triumphantly rather than wallows.