International Women’s Day: Celebrating Women Who Rock
WRITTEN BY: katie gordon // THE BOOM AT NOONHappy International Women’s Day! We celebrate women in music today and every day. In honour of the day, we wanted to share upcoming shows in Halifax featuring talented female musicians.
Sorrey weaves unapologetic chronicles about remaining heart-strong in the face of fading romance couched in shoegazey dream-pop. Wielding undeniably anthemic hooks and skillfully crafted melodies, Halifax-based Emilee Sorrey and her band blend lyrical intimacy with hazy retro tones that effortlessly flourish on their debut full-length, In Full Bloom (Garment District, 2019). On October 16th, 2020, Sorrey released Bloom Remixes, an EP featuring five songs from ‘In Full Bloom’ re-imagined by Atlantic Canadian producers Good Neighbour, Niimo, and Waants.
Raised on the mud banks of the Avon River, Nova Scotian funeral director-turned-songwriter Terra Spencer was recruited as a backup singer while scooping ice cream at a music festival. She can make you feel knee-to-knee with her in a room of 5 or 500 with her butterscotch vibrato, deft fingerstyle guitar, church bench piano, sly humour, and ‘70s wood-paneled warmth. Her startling knack for telling intimate stories caught the attention of Canadian musical mentors like David Francey and Matt Andersen, who chose their co-write Other Side of Goodbye to launch his recent album. She has become a sought-after studio musician, co-writer, producer, and workshop facilitator. Terra’s self-produced second album Chasing Rabbits won Music Nova Scotia’s Folk Recording of the Year and received nominations for ECMA Folk Recording of the Year and CFMA Contemporary Singer of the Year. Her song “Feels Like Home” was named the 2021 Blues and Roots Radio International Song of the Year. Following a full-band summer tour celebrating the golden anniversary of the music of 1971, Terra recently toured across Canada and the UK with Ben Caplan in support of their recent joint album, Old News, released in October 2022. “The real deal.” - Ron Sexsmith
Welcome to Skunk Motel! There’s always room for everyone! Attendees of any skunk show can expect to take up space and get loud! Attendees will listen to hard-hitting drums, disarming vocals, and driving guitars! Skunk Motel paints an image of an anxiety-induced daydream. Through the use of captivating lyrics and moody melodies, the all-female onslaught forces the audience to navigate the twists & turns of turbulent emotions alongside them, offering you both a hug and a hand grenade.
Upon releasing her debut album in January 2011, Cape Breton’s Carmen Townsend was selected to be the opening act for Heart’s cross-Canada tour and has also shared the stage with INXS, showcased internationally at SXSW, The Great Escape Festival and Liverpool Sound City. She also spent 11 weeks in Australia and performed at The Woodford Folk Festival as well as The Peats Ridge Festival. Ms. Townsend is currently writing her 2nd release and will be travelling to New York City to co-write with Grammy Award-winning songwriter Jesse Harris. Her self-penned “Without My Love” was also featured on ABC this summer in a television series. Carmen’s first single will also be featured on “Lost Girl” and in the indie film ” Love Me”. She was selected out of hundreds of entries as a semi-finalist for the "She’s The One Emerging Female Contest at the Ottawa Blues Festival.
Jah’Mila is a reggae singer originally from Kingston, Jamaica, and since migrating to Atlantic Canada several years ago, she has served as a shining example and a source of inspiration for Jamaican music and culture in the region. Her musical style embodies the captivating and lively spirit of traditional Jamaican roots music, infused with elements of jazz and modern soul music.
Music has been an inseparable part of Jah’Mila's life from an early age, and she has always had a deep-seated affection for tarditional roots reggae music. Jah'Mila has been blessed to share stages with well-known reggae musicians like The Wailers, Black Uhuru, and Groundation. These opportunities have helped her to learn and grow as a reggae artiste and cultural ambassador.
Jah'Mila's first album, "Roots Girl", was released in November 2022, and it is a spirited collection of reggae soul songs that honor her Jamaican heritage and showcase the powerful matriarchal energy that the culture embodies. She is passionate about matters of social justice and is determined to use her music as both a form of entertainment and activism. She believes that a brighter future is possible through community, inclusion and support for the arts. With the gracious support of her musical team in Halifax NS, she is poised and prepared to stand in the center of every stage
Singer-songwriter Elyse Aeryn is known for her fiery and rebellious rock and roll. Her bluesy melodies paired with her bold, warm voice make for an authentic and ageless sound.
For Elyse, a lifelong writer, the words and stories come first. She pens lyrics that tell the truth about her own life in the hope they will illuminate the truth in someone else’s. Hard knocks, dead ends, new beginnings - Elyse writes with heart about the stuff of life. You can practically taste the inner strength and resilience in her music. Its gritty and passionate and real.
After a decade in the corporate world, music called for a bigger part in Elyse’s life and she’s answering that call with all she’s got. Her live shows are a beautiful exchange of energy, with Elyse creating an intimate connection with her audience. After recently sharing the stage with names like Blue Rodeo, The Crash Test Dummies, Matt Minglewood, and Robyn Ottolini, she is releasing her debut album March 31st, 2023.
Elyse’s rich voice, soulful lyrics, and charismatic guitar riffs are blowing away listeners and audiences. Do yourself a favour and turn up the volume.
