Akoustik Alumni

AIYANA is an Afro-Indigenous singer-songwriter with roots in M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island and in Barbados. Her recent accolades include performing a trilingual National Anthem for the Ottawa Senators and opening for Juno-award winning recording artist Aysanabee. Her debut single, It’s Getting Bad Again, is available on all platforms.

Amos the Transparent has been a driving force in the Canadian indie-rock landscape for nearly two decades — known for heartfelt songwriting, soaring choruses, and harmonies that cut straight to the core. With five albums and three EPs, the band has toured extensively across North America and Australia, and has collaborated on notable projects including a Tragically Hip tribute with the Strombo Show. Their fifth studio album, Everywhere All the Time, was released in March 2026 — a record that feels both fresh and familiar, echoing the raw honesty of 90s alternative while weaving in the polished emotional depth the band is known for.

JUNO Award-winning artist Angelique Francis is a powerhouse vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and genre-blending force. Known for her rich, smoky voice and electrifying stage presence, Angelique blends blues, soul, folk, jazz, and rock into a sound that’s timeless yet fresh. Born and raised in Ottawa, she began performing at age 7 and has since played major festivals around the world, sharing stages with legends like Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., and Keb’ Mo’. Her acclaimed album Long River earned the 2023 JUNO for Blues Album of the Year and solidified her as a rising icon in Canadian music.

Aspects is a genre-spanning musician and producer whose work bridges rock, reggae, jazz, soul, and hip-hop with ease. Known for his soulful presence and deep-rooted passion for music, he has produced for legendary acts including members of Tupac Shakur’s group, Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, and Anderson .Paak’s band The Free Nationals. His credits also include collaborations with icons from the Wu-Tang Clan to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. A true musical force, Aspects delivers a live performance you won’t want to miss.

The Capital Syndicate is a live hip-hop collective known for running Ottawa’s only hip-hop jam sessions at Red Bird Live. Known for improvisation, collaboration, and genre-blending musicianship, the group anchors a community-driven stage where emcees and instrumentalists create spontaneous, high-energy performances that elevate the city’s hip-hop culture.

Edra Silva is a Chilean musician based in Ottawa. A graduate of musical composition with a focus on singing, guitar and jazz improvisation, she started her musical journey in Santiago, where she performed for several years before joining the staff of various cruise ships and travelling around the world while making music. In 2019 she arrived in Ottawa, where she has been performing unceasingly. Edra has recorded two albums: Intro (2018), a duo piano and voice jazz EP, and Unrequited Hearts, an LP of mostly her original compositions.

Hannah Vig has made a name for herself as Ottawa’s sensitive, sapphic singer-songwriter since her debut in 2022. Known for both her intimate and emotive solo acoustic performances and high-energy full band performances, Vig’s indie folk-pop-rock melodies, soulful voice and hard-hitting lyrics are known to captivate listeners.

At just 16, Illiyah Rose is already a force to be reckoned with. She’s opened for legendary acts like Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and Beck, and has shared the stage with The Beach Boys. Known for her soulful voice and magnetic stage presence, Illiyah blends soul, pop, and a touch of jazz to deliver emotionally rich performances well beyond her years. Her talent, maturity, and dedication make her a rising star in the music world.

JOLY is a Franco-Ontarian singer-songwriter and producer blending folk and rock with emotional lyrics. He is a multiple award winner including Trille Or and Capital Music Awards. In 2025, he was named a Radio-Canada top cultural star. He continues to build a national and evolving career.

Originating from the Algonquin reservation of Kitigan Zibi, QC and now based in Ottawa, Lyle Odjick went from living in a small town with very little exposure to blues or live music to teaching himself harmonica, starting his own blues band, and eventually earning a nomination in the Canada-wide Maple Blues Awards for New Artist of the Year in 2022. What began as a Chicago blues cover band has evolved into a high-energy blues-rock band with their own foot-stomping sound. Their debut album Through The Rain (2022) landed at #6 on The Roots Music Report’s Top 50 Canadian Albums in its third week. Lyle Odjick & The Northern Steam never cease to turn heads at every venue they play.

MayaSpoken is a Ugandan-Jamaican poet and singer-songwriter. A two-time Canadian Individual Poetry Slam champion and second in the Americas, her soulful work explores self-discovery, love, and Black culture. She hopes her art inspires others to become voices of disruption, advocacy, and meaningful change.

Moonfruits — led by Ottawa-based partners Alex Millaire and Kaitlin Milroy — craft contemporary folk, organically alternating between French and English, that addresses our collective humanity with heart, wit, and wonder. This Stingray Rising Star, SOCAN, and Trille Or award-winning group has toured their transportive live show across Canada, the US, France, Belgium, and Germany. Their lushly orchestrated sophomore album, Salt (2022), is a 12-song suite that explores what it means to the band to live, dream, and raise a child in an era of climate change and deepening inequality.

OK Naledi is a high-energy Afro-Fusion music project led by Ottawa-based artist Naledi Sunstrum. Rooted in Motswana heritage, the group blends traditional sub-Saharan guitar, warm bass grooves, and genre-defying rhythms with intimate, poetic lyricism. Naledi, a Black, queer, non-binary artist, performs alongside collaborator Kira Montfort and a rotating collective of queer, femme, BIPOC, and non-binary artists. Since emerging in 2022, OK Naledi has played major festivals, earned award nominations, and released a debut album following their standout video do you feel. Their work is a love letter to becoming—music that invites you to feel deeply, move freely, and dream without borders.

Performing a mix of ballads, fiddle tunes, bluegrass standards, down home gospel, and original folk songs, the Roscoe Brothers take to the stage with a mix of acoustic guitar, good time fiddle, and old fashioned bluegrass vocal harmonies crafted after the record of bygone days.

Shawn Tavenier is known for his captivating presence, powerful voice, and his ability to hold an audience. Based in beautiful Vanier, Ontario, Shawn is equally at home on a festival stage or in a café. Whether with his beloved bands Silver Creek and The Golden Low, or as a solo performer, you’ll soon come to understand why he has become a vanguard within the Ottawa music community.

The Vanier Playboys: Ottawa’s one and only Zydeco band since 2018. Their music is made for good times and dancing, featuring fiddle, accordion, guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. If this band was a car, it’d be a Buick Roadmaster Wagon. Come take a ride on the dance floor with them.

A folk storyteller, VANCAMP blends honest, evocative lyrics into modern country/folk/pop tunes. Named Emerging Artist of the Year by the Peterborough Folk Festival, VANCAMP makes theatres, bars, festival fields, and living rooms feel like the last day of summer camp. He is currently working toward his sophomore album.

Vicki Brittle is a Canadian Folk/Rock singer-songwriter from the Ottawa Valley. Brittle is known for her distinct, unforgettable vocals that weave through reflective lyricism and catchy melodies. Accompanied by a six-string, she’s often referred to as an old soul — effortlessly welcoming newcomers into her world and bringing a memorable energy and presence to the stage.

Beau Nectar is a bilingual synth-pop/folk duo made up of singer-songwriters Marie-Clo and éemi. With vibrant melodies and nature-inspired concepts, their music sparks empathy and connection to the natural world. Signed to Indica Records, they released Two Lips in 2023 and are currently building toward their first English album Dandy, set for early 2026, with singles like “Apple” and “Loggerhead Shrike” already out.

C.A. & Sonny are an Ottawa-based folk duo dedicated to keeping musical tradition alive. With a collection of stringed instruments in tow, they deliver old-time melodies, original tunes, and lighthearted storytelling in equal measure. Their easygoing performances blend musicianship with humour, offering a rich repertoire of vintage songs and tales that transport listeners to another time.

Chloé is a 14-year-old musician who’s been playing guitar for five years, teaching herself a variety of cover songs along the way. A true country music fan at heart, she brings a fresh, heartfelt energy to every performance. Now returning to Akoustik for her second year, Chloé is excited to share her passion for music once again—and hopes to write original songs of her own in the near future.

Claude Munson is an Ottawa singer-songwriter who has been crafting reflective, atmospheric folk music for over a decade. Known for his soaring, gritty tenor and intimate storytelling, Munson’s songs explore themes of modern life, love, and the quiet pursuit of inner peace. He released his self-titled debut with backing band The Storm Outside in 2012, followed by sophomore album The Silence Came After (2018) on Record Centre Records — a record drenched in crystalline synths and stripped-bare acoustic moments alike. His 2022 EP Boxing Day Weekend marked a lush, upbeat new chapter, debuted to a sold-out show at the National Arts Centre’s Fourth Stage. A regular fixture on Ottawa’s independent music scene, Munson has built a devoted following through years of intimate performances and longtime collaborations with producer Philippe Charbonneau.

Dumisani Chirwa, known as Dumis9ne I, is an Ottawa-based reggae and Afro-dancehall fusion artist whose sound is rooted in rhythm, message, and movement. Drawing inspiration from legends like Evison Matafale, Bob Marley, Jah9, Chronixx, and Damian Marley, Dumis9ne blends Malawian influence with global reggae energy. His music champions themes of love, peace, humanity, and justice—what he calls “positivity in general.” A 2025 Capital Music Award nominee, Dumis9ne has collaborated with international artists like Imeru Tafari, Pupajim, and Marina P, and is currently working on a project with a Grammy-nominated Canadian producer featuring members of Alaclair Ensemble and other reggae greats.

Alchemizing roots, classic country, Americana and Celtic soundscapes, Jessica Pearson and the East Wind spin tales of outlaw heroics, matriarchal power, resistance and resilience, and the unrelenting beauty of becoming who you are. With a Performing Artist of the Year win at Folk Music Ontario Awards 2025, three 2025 Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, and an upcoming two-part album produced by JUNO-winner Hill Kourkoutis and featuring an all-women team, JPEW is rising up to offer a powerful musical battle cry against the status quo.

Jessy Lindsay (she/her) is a queer, bilingual pop artist known for her jazz-infused melodies, honest lyrics, and magnetic stage presence. Singing in both English and French, she offers heartfelt reflections on womanhood, self-confidence, and reclaiming joy. A classically trained vocalist and composer, Jessy brings a unique blend of pop, electro, and contemporary music to stages across Ottawa, with recent appearances at the Festival franco-ontarien, Capital Pride, and the National Arts Centre. Her latest EP Plus pareil (2025) explores self-growth through electro-pop and is available on all major streaming platforms.

Nova Scotia-raised and Ottawa-based, Malia Rogers is a folk singer-songwriter, actor, and multi-instrumentalist known for her warm, introspective sound. Blending folk, bluegrass, and Celtic influences, her music explores themes of identity, growth, and compassion. Her upcoming EP Chameleon (May 30, 2025) offers thoughtful lyrics, honeyed vocals, and spacious arrangements. In addition to her solo work, Malia collaborates with award-winning acts like Jessica Pearson & The East Wind and Ian Sherwood, and appears regularly as an actor-musician on Canadian stages.

Mikhail Laxton is a singer-songwriter and producer who delivers a powerful blend of roots-soul and vintage R&B. Known for his raw, live-off-the-floor recording philosophy, Laxton captures an analog warmth and deep human connection that sets his music apart in a digital world. Armed with a commanding voice and soulful rhythm guitar work, he creates an intimate, powerful presence on any stage. He is the founder of 613 Soul — a free, neighbourhood concert series dedicated to bringing world-class live music directly to local communities.

Qattuu is an Ontario-based Inuk throat singer originally from Pangnirtung, Nunavut. Known for her work with the multi-JUNO-nominated group Silla and Rise, she has also appeared on recordings with Joey Nowyuk and Angela Amarualik. As a soloist, Qattuu has performed internationally, representing Inuit culture on stages in France, Belgium, the Philippines, and across Canada. She regularly leads cultural workshops in throat singing and drumming, and has performed at events such as TUSARNITUT! at the ROM and the Sākihiwē Festival in Winnipeg. Her debut solo album Midnight Sun was released in February 2023.

Born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and now based in Ottawa, Ras Lee is a celebrated reggae artist and performer known for his powerful voice and enduring presence in the Canadian music scene. A Juno Award nominee and two-time Canadian Reggae Music Award winner, Ras Lee was also honoured with the Reggae Ambassador of Ottawa award for his contributions to the local community. He is best known for his album and single Who Killed the Lion—a tribute to Bob Marley. Ras Lee continues to perform across Canada, bringing his signature sound to festivals and venues nationwide.

Rooted in friendship and harmony, School House was born when three best friends moved into a century-old schoolhouse and began sharing songs around the campfire. Known for their warm three-part harmonies and heartfelt sound, their debut album won Album of the Year from Ottawa Faces Magazine, and they were named Group of the Year at the 2024 Ottawa Music Awards.

Sophie d’Orléans is a Franco-Ontarian singer-songwriter whose music blends warm acoustics and dreamy synths. Influenced by indie pop and folk storytelling, her songs reflect resilience, emotion, and introspection.

A Granby semi-finalist in 2022, she’s performed at festivals across Canada and shared the stage with Amanda Rheaume, Jessy Lindsay, and others. With soothing vocals and rich harmonies, Sophie invites listeners into an honest, reflective space—whether on piano or guitar.

The Monroe Sisters have been bringing their signature bluegrass sound to festivals and venues across Ontario for over a decade. Named in tribute to the father of bluegrass, their music is rooted in sweet vocal harmonies, complemented by standout instrumental breaks on banjo, fiddle, and mandolin—all grounded by solid rhythm on bass and guitar. With a fresh, energetic approach to a timeless genre, The Monroe Sisters are Kate Greenland, Elizabeth Foster Weatherall, Pat Moore, Sherry Philp, and Ann Downey.

Kristine St-Pierre is an award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter with soul-searching ballads and a rollicking country flair. She weaves together a rich blend of folk, roots, and country music, captivating listeners with both English and French lyrics. Described as a ‘chansonnière’ with a traveling heart,’ Kristine’s songs create an emotional journey that transcends language and genre. She received a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for her album La promesse released in 2017. In 2025, she received the award for Francophone artist of the year by the Country Music Association of Ontario. Released in 2024, her fourth album, Love & Vulnerability, is described “as a magnificent blend of folk, pop and roots with impressive songwriting and song craft.”

Jeff & the Falcons is the songwriting project of Overbrook-based guitarist and vocalist Jeff deValk. A fixture in the Ottawa music scene for over a decade, Jeff and his six-piece band craft original songs steeped in classic soul, R&B, and vintage rock records he grew up singing along to.