A Toronto-based singer-songwriter raised in the isolated mill town of Dryden, Ontario, his work is grounded in a plainspoken, conversational voice. Cinematic indie folk meets blue-collar poetry. His songs often circle what goes unnoticed, the quiet patterns beneath ordinary life, the feeling of something just out of frame.

His latest album, Sumac, traces the moment when those patterns come into focus. Written through years of chronic pain and an uneven recovery following a life-altering car accident, alongside a late diagnosis of neurodivergence, the record holds both the grief and relief of finally naming what was always there. It opens at a crossroads and moves toward something harder to name, not quite resolution, but recognition

Sonically, Sumac moves between hushed intimacy and more expansive arrangements built on lush, reverberant guitars, cinematic strings, and a rhythm section that leaves room to breathe. Songs begin in a conversational tone and open outward, sitting somewhere near Sufjan Stevens, John K. Samson, and Big Thief. Expansive in arrangement but intimate in writing, the music holds to a simple principle, four chords and the honest truth, carried through shifting textures and changing light.

“I am begging you: Trust these songs. They will honour that trust unfailingly.” — David Newberry (singer/songwriter, host of My Favourite Chords)

Name:

Erik Bleich

Genre:

Singer/songwriter, Liminal Americana, Indie Folk

Founded:

2010

# of Albums:

3ish (1x each “proper” LP & EP + some online releases, live stuff, DIY and a handful of abandoned and unfinished projects). I love making stuff, but actually getting it out takes a lot of executive function that I haven’t always had. So I’m thrilled for the new record to be within reach.

Latest Album:

Sumac

Latest Single:

Leslie Spit

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

So much of my earliest musical exposure came from small-time troubadours passing through my hometown. In the summers, my family volunteered at folk festivals, which meant getting into performer campfire jams where the real magic happens, that cross-pollination of styles and instruments. I loved dancing in the mud with the hippies to bands like The Duhks, and I treasured my cassettes of 90s Winnipeg singer-songwriters like Ben Sures and Keith Dyck. At the same time I was absorbing my older brother’s music collection, Nirvana was huge. My mom played The Shirelles, my dad would sit around playing acoustic Beatles deep cuts. Pink Floyd, though, was mine.

Favourite musician now:

I tend to come back to idiosyncratic songwriters, Tom Waits, The Weakerthans / John K. Samson, people who build whole emotional worlds out of detail and voice. Big Thief and Adrianne Lenker were a big influence on the record, especially in how direct and unguarded a song can be while still feeling expansive.

Guilty pleasure song:

I have a soft spot for weirdos trying to make pop music, and I will defend Cake and their version of “I Will Survive” until the coastlines fall into the sea. On the surface, they can seem like a bit of a one-trick band, but if you dig in there’s really thoughtful songwriting underneath; they pull from specific influences and recombine them in a way that feels immediately recognizable and completely their own. And their choice of covers gives you a perfect context map. Disco grooves, classic country, rock riffs, lounge singers, & the Muppets. It’s all there.

Live show ritual:

Lea Kirstein, Kathryn Merriam, and I take a few moments before shows to draw small dots around our eyes. A quiet moment to connect and step into a shared space onstage.

Favourite local musician:

Depends on the day of the week. On Sundays it’s Doghouse Orchestra. I’ve been following Corin Raymond’s music since I was a kid and have spent nearly 20 years catching his shows at the Cameron House. Basset are undeniable, Medusa Quartet have almost otherworldly chemistry, and MOONRIIVR’s newer material is fantastic. I feel lucky to be part of a city with such a vibrant and generous musical community.

EP or LP?

An EP is a nice snack, but I love a full-length album. Give me a record that has time to explore some side roads, find its way back, and reveal itself over the course of a journey.

Early bird or night owl?

Oh, I’m firmly in the night owl camp. It’s in my DNA. I feel most present in the liminal hours. And I love the quiet solitude. The intimate, drifting conversations that find homes in that space. The strange and wonderful people I’ve gotten to know. “One of which was myself,” to quote a favourite Bukowski poem, “Throwing Away The Alarm Clock”

Road or studio?

I love being in the studio, and I love studio record. I love the exploration. But you also make decisions in a moment that last forever. There’s something about reinterpreting songs and making spontaneous choices that are only in the moment. Connecting with real people and the vibe of the room. I feel most at home in that space.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

Whelan’s Gate (especially on Wednesdays for Canadiana Music Night). It’s a true neighbourhood public house & one of the oldest pubs in the city.

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

I love Davenport for its history. I’m fascinated by the great glacial lakes of the last ice age, and flood mythology. Most cultures have their own. Davenport traces the old shoreline when the Toronto basin was all underwater, diverted from the St Lawrence River. It’s humbling to think about that power of nature. And to honour the people who were here before we showed up and started changing everything.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

I love this city’s parks in general, from shortcuts through parkettes to the vast expanse of High Park. I love the Riverdale park & how it’s split by the Don River. But my favourite has to be Tommy Thompson / Leslie Spit, where my latest single is set. It’s this accidental wilderness that wasn’t supposed to be there. And it’s all built up from decades of change in the city. We built subways and dumped all that aggregate into the lake, leaving parts of ourselves out on the edge where no one would go. But then nature came in and found this spot to grow up from. Migratory birds and cottonwoods found a home. Sumac groves grew up from the rubble. It’s a surreal spot where beaches are filled with these stones made out of asphalt, concrete and brick. And you can see the sun set behind the cityscape across the harbour.

I’m far from the first to take inspiration from it, and I love being a part of that tradition. So many songwriters use American geographic reference points because they think that it will limit their demographics if they don’t, but place makes up so much of who we are. I wanted to write about a place where you could go to leave pieces of yourself, trusting that something new would grow out of the old. And that’s what the Spit represents to me. It’s hope that we can recover from our mistakes.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

The Cameron House has incredible music multiple times a night, every night of the week. It’s an ecosystem where Americana music, in particular, thrives. It’s a history lesson, a tradition, a home to many an outcast. Drom Taberna is the same, but with incredible food, vibes, music from all over the world. They’re a block apart, and they cover so much rich ground. It’s so queer-friendly and welcoming to other cultures, and they really advocate for musicians. You can go hear a quiet, singer/songwriter, stay for the Balkan brass, wander through an ambient jam, and land in a nostalgic queer dance party. There’s so much incredible music in this city.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

I love She Said Boom! on Roncey. You can pop in for a few moments and leave with an out-of-print By Divine Right CD, a new record from a local band and a Miriam Toews novel.

The post Five Minutes With: Indie-Folk Musician Erik Bleich appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Kunlé has captivated audiences since the release of his 2015 five-track debut EP ‘Amí N Relé.’ Moving seamlessly between Yoruba, Pidgin and English languages, he balances cultural depth with a soulful, contemporary sensibility, bridging acoustic traditions and Yoruba proverbs to connect with a global audience.

His highly-anticipated new album ‘Kunlé – The Journey,’ released on June 26, 2026, kicked off earlier this year with the lead double-single pre-release for Ilé L’àbọ̀ (featuring a new video) and Cabana – out March 6, 2026 on all streaming platforms. The songs on ‘Kunlé – The Journey’ were recorded in Kunlé’s home studio in Toronto and at Catherine North Studios in Hamilton, ON. It was produced at Catherine North with Kunlé as co-producer and Will Crann (Blue Rodeo, Whitehorse, Feist, The Glorious Sons and more) as co-producer and recording engineer.

In recent years, Kunlé’s creative path expanded. These experiences shaped the new phase in his practice – one that blends music, memory and performance in ways that feel both intimate and cinematic, and culminates into his 2026 seven-track sophomore album release, ‘Kunlé – The Journey.’

Kunlé’s 2024 debut at Toronto’s Koerner Hall, performing alongside South African icon Thandiswa Mazwai, marked an important artistic moment, placing his sound on one of Canada’s most prestigious stages.

Theatre credits include the 2024 Dora Mavor Moore Awards with a win for outstanding production and a nomination for outstanding sound design and composition for co-scoring Soulpepper Theatre’s ‘Three Sisters,’ a nomination for the 2022 Premier’s Awards for his role as music director, composer and performer in Stratford Festival’s ‘Death and the King’s Horseman,’ and guitarist for the Canadian Opera Company’s 2024 opera ‘Aportia Chryptych.’ Plus, his composition “My Little Fingers” won the Folk Music Ontario Award for best instrumental in 2015, leading to endorsements from Furch Guitars and Stonebridge Guitars.

Reviewers often note Kunlé’s warmth and endearing presence onstage. Mike Hill, former Artistic Director of Mariposa Folk Festival, wrote, “Join Kunle as he leaves you basking with gentleness and optimism.”

And after watching him perform at the 2015 Mariposa Folk Festival, the legendary Gordon Lightfoot exclaimed to Kunlé, “You are meant to do this. Don’t stop!”

The 2019 Just Music Concert Series, Accra Unplugged, Accra, Ghana, offered concisely, “Afro-Folk Prince.”

“Kunlé, originally from Nigeria, was totally engaging.” – veteran promoter Richard Flohil, Artists You Should Look Out For, Stories from the Edge of Music, March 7, 2025.

“…he settled in Canada in 2014. …Almost immediately, he was booked to play the Mariposa Folk Festival, prompting him to record a five-song EP in 2015.” – Heather Kitching, Roots Music Canada, June 4, 2023.

A celebrated live performer, Kunlé’s collaborations include working with Juno Award-winning artists such as Töme, sharing stages with acclaimed artists like Julian Taylor and AHI and international touring as guitarist for legendary Canadian blues vocalist Shakura S’Aida. His dynamic sets have captivated audiences globally at events like Germany’s Africa Day Festival, Summerfolk, Mariposa and the Peterborough Folk Festival.

Building on this rich history, his eagerly awaited 2026 touring season started with his album release concert on June 25 at Toronto’s Small World Centre, featuring landmark appearances at the prestigious Mariposa Folk Festival, Theatre Collingwood’s Porchside Festival and the 28th annual Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival—solidifying his place as one of Canada’s most vibrant and yet deeply rooted artists.

Name:

Kunlé

Genre:

Root Contemporary/Folk/Global

Founded:

2012

# of Albums:

2

Latest Album:

Kunlé – The Journey

Latest Single:

Ilé L’àbọ̀ / Cabana

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

King Sunny Adé, Angelique Kidjo, Majek Fashek, Don Williams, Phil Collins, Tracy Chapman

Favourite musician now:

Jose Gonzalez, King Sunny Adé, Asa

Guilty pleasure song:

Good Ole Boys Like – Don Williams. It’s a bit of a contradiction, but it’s ‘Good Old Boys Like Me’ by Don Williams. People are always shocked that I’m a huge country fan—but growing up in Nigeria, Don Williams was practically a local legend. His storytelling is so universal, it transcends borders. To keep people guessing, I’ll pair that with ‘Brooklyn Baby’ by Lana Del Rey. I love the way she leans into that persona; it’s fun, it’s self-aware, and honestly, it’s just a great track to drive to.

Live show ritual:

Good sleep, no food 3hrs before, vocal warm-up, prayer, no alcohol before stage (I like to be of clear mind and take in the beauty of the moment with little to no influence), sometimes looking at my family pictures, picturing the day they will be in the audience or backstage with me. They have never seen me perform live in person. That’s my show ritual.

Favourite local musician:

This one is hard; there is so much talent locally, but I say Basset The Band

EP or LP?

It depends, but I lean towards LP most. I grew up on it. 😊 I still listen to full albums.

Early bird or night owl?

Night Owl for sure; however, I rarely look for sleep. When I need it, I close my eyes, and I am gone. C’est fini. People ask how I handle the late nights, but I’m lucky—when I’m done, I’m done. I don’t lie awake overthinking. I close my eyes, and I’m out – BYE!!!!!

When I need to be up early, I can handle it as well.

Road or studio?

Road for sure.

Studio is a necessity for idealising but my creativity starts from the stage. I started as a performer and wrote music for stage before I ever step foot in the studio.

Any shows or albums coming up?

I’m incredibly proud of my sophomore album, Kunlé – The Journey, released on June 26th. It really is a body of work with something for everyone, drawing from my life, my Nigerian roots, and the paths I’ve travelled. It’s deeply personal—even the cover art features a photo of me at two years old with a guitar-shaped birthday cake my mother made. It’s funny because, looking back, it feels like she knew before I did that the guitar would become my first instrument and my life’s work.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Website

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

These questions are hard 😊 I love to cook, and I would say I know my way around the kitchen; however, I like Si Lom Thai. It’s a cute small restaurant on Church Street.

Recently went to Lao Lao Bar; I liked it.

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Ossington Street.

Then Queen & Augusta radius.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Riverdale Park – I love watching the city lights come on. There is just something about sitting on that hill looking at the city and just watch the lights one at a time come on.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

This is also hard, but if I can, I would say Painted Lady and Poetry Jazz Café.

Drom Taberna for the vibes and unexpected talents.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

Long & McQuade.

Dead Dog Records on Church Street.

The post Five Minutes With: Folk Musician Kunlé appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

A Berklee College of Music award-winning songwriter, Don brings a seasoned voice to his music from years of musical collaborations and live performances, including cross-Canada tours as leader and lead singer of The River Street Band.

David Matheson (Moxy Früvous, Ron Sexsmith), Sheila Carabine (Dala) and Jason Fowler (John McDermott) are among the group of rotating vocalists and instrumentalists who bring Don’s songs to life with artistry and heart.

Name:

Don Denaburg

Genre:

Singer-Songwriter, Folk, Adult Contemporary, Americana

Founded:

2021

Latest Single:

Beyond Blue

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

In my early teens, Canadian band Lighthouse. From 18 on: Bruce Springsteen (after seeing him live)

Favourite musician now:

My current favourites are Sara Bareilles and Al Halliday — and Springsteen continues to put on the most exciting live show I’ve ever seen.

Guilty pleasure song:

Pretty Lady (Lighthouse), Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head, Brave (Sara Bareilles)

Live show ritual:

10-15 minutes of vocal warm-up exercises

Favourite local musician:

Mike Freedman, Blake Papsin, Jason Fowler

EP or LP?

LP for listening; EP for releasing my own music

Early bird or night owl?

Was a night owl for many years until becoming a dog owner/parent, which turned me into an early bird. ☺

Road or studio?

Playing live in a band can be an exhilarating high, but these days—having retired from performing—I get as much enjoyment from creating with other musicians and engineers in a studio.

Any shows or albums coming up?

I’m currently promoting the release of our single, “Beyond Blue,” which can be found on all streaming platforms.

Where can we follow you?

Facebook | Bandcamp | SoundCloud | Instagram

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

For lunch: Emma’s Country Kitchen on St. Clair. For dinner: Nodo — also on St. Clair

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Briar Hill Avenue: I have many fond memories from growing up there.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Cedarvale Park, close to where I live, is a beautiful green space in midtown Toronto. Have had countless walks with my dogs and friends there. And High Park, where I met my partner, Alice.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

Massey Hall is hard to beat for its acoustics and beauty. Hugh’s Room Live is also a favourite.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

The Twelfth Fret Guitarists Pro Shop on Danforth

The post Five Minutes With: Folk Musician Don Denaburg appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Wood’s music continues to resonate worldwide, amassing over 30 million streams, numerous high-profile placements on shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, and frequent playlist features across Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. More recently, his single “A Good Enough Day” was featured in a national TV campaign, propelling the track over 4 million streams.

Since being named iTunes Songwriter of the Year, Wood has continued to evolve and refine his craft, building on a career that includes two Top 30 albums, multiple JUNO nominations, five Canadian Folk Music Award nods, and a #1 added song at Hot AC radio. His previous album, What Tomorrow Brings, was up for consideration for Best Folk Album at the 2024 Grammy Awards.

Royal Wood remains one of Canada’s most compelling and consistently innovative singer-songwriters.

Name:

Royal Wood

Genre:

Described as a blend of folk, indie, singer-songwriter, and pop-rock, characterized by its “adult alternative” sound with influences from traditional pop, soft rock, and classic songwriting.

Founded:

2002 (first EP release)

# of Albums:

8 studio albums (Dear John will be the 9th)

Latest Album:

Dear John

Latest Single:

“A Good Day”

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

Like most people on this planet, The Beatles were the most important musicians of my youth.

Favourite musician now:

Michael Kiwanka

Guilty pleasure song:

Staying Alive by the Bee Gees!

Live show ritual:

I always take a walk after soundcheck and listen to music with my earbuds and check out the sights around town.

Favourite local musician:

I live in Saskatchewan now, so I would have to say Andy Shauf (from Regina).

EP or LP?

Long live the LP!

Early bird or night owl?

Sadly, I am both. Which doesn’t leave me well rested.

Road or studio?

I love performing live so very much, but the studio is my ultimate happy place for sure.

Any shows or albums coming up?

Tour Dates:

NOV 07 – Madison, WI – Overture Centre
NOV 14 – Toronto, ON – Koerner Hall – Make Music Matter Event x Matthew Perry House
NOV 28 – Calgary, AB – Dalhousie Community Centre
NOV 29 – Lethbridge, AB – Geomattic Attic
NOV 30 – Lethbridge, AB – Geomattic Attic
DEC 02 – Canmore, AB – ArtsPlace
FEB 04 – East Lansing, MI – Wharton Performing Arts
FEB 05 – Yellow Springs, OH – The Foundry Theatre
APR 09 – Truro, NS – Marigold Cultural Centre
APR 10 – East Margaretsville, NS – Evergreen Theatre
APR 11 – Liverpool, NS – The Astor Theatre

Where can we follow you?

Official Site | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music | SoundCloud

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

ODLA in Saskatoon.

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Broadway Ave because it has great coffee shops and restaurants, and it also has a wonderful called The Broadway Theatre that I have performed at many times over the years.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Wiggin’s Park right behind our home. My two young boys love it there, and I also use it for my walking and running routines.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

The Broadway Theatre, because not only have I headlined it many, many times, it is also the venue that I met my wife at.

The post Five Minutes With: Musician Royal Wood appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

The EP has since amassed over half a million Spotify streams, spent more than twelve weeks on Earshot’s Top 30 charts, and saw “Jiujitsu” named among CBC’s Top 100 Canadian Songs of 2024.

Building momentum, Gotti has toured extensively across North America, appearing at international showcase festivals such as SXSW, NXNE, and M for Montréal, as well as Canadian staples including Mariposa Folk Festival, Folk On The Rocks, and SaskJazz Fest. Along the way, he has shared stages with celebrated artists like Chantal Kreviazuk, Aysanabee, Great Lake Swimmers, and Big Sugar.

Blending contemporary folk, indie, and dream-pop, Gotti’s sound has been described as “dream-folk,” drawing comparisons to Cigarettes After Sex, City & Colour, and Alvvays.

Currently, he is on tour with upcoming performances at Sofar Sounds in the UK, Reeperbahn Festival in Germany, O+ Festival in New York, and Jade Music Festival in Vancouver. His debut full-length album came out on September 26.

Name:

Merv xx Gotti (Marvin Chan)

Genre:

Dream-folk singer-songwriter

Founded:

2023

# of Albums:

1

Latest Album:

Guitar Songs: A Thesis On Low Efficiency Emotional Excavation

Latest Single:

20 Years

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

My first memories of music were listening to my mom karaoke to Sally Yip (葉蒨文) while downloading mp3s of Prozzäk from Napster.

But I only started writing music for the first time after hearing Alexisonfire and Dallas Green (City & Colour).

Favourite musician now:

I sound a bit like if Keshi fronted for Cigarettes After Sex. I only really like to karaoke to Frankie Valli.

Guilty pleasure song:

Doja Cat ft. SZA – “Kiss Me More”

Live show ritual:

I listen to Majid Jordan’s first EP from front to back – I’ve done this as a pre-show ritual ever since my past hip-hop/R&B boyband project, Samurai Champs.

Favourite local musician:

There’s no one in Toronto more disciplined, dedicated, and devoted to the God of Art than Ashton Mills. I feel like Tylor Jay Santos is my kindred spirit.

EP or LP?

LPs, always. Bring attention spans back. EPs and singles are simply necessary.

Early bird or night owl?

Neither. I’m awake when I need to be. I sleep when I need to.

Road or studio?

Both, but oh God, please, not at the same time.

Any shows or albums coming up?

My debut album, Guitar Songs: A Thesis on Low Efficiency Emotional Excavation, came out on September 26.

Upcoming tour dates:

Nov 5–8 – Jade Music Festival, Vancouver, BC

Nov 14 – Blue Light Sessions, Vancouver, BC

Nov 29 – Little Cow Concerts, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | TikTok | Linktree

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

Favourite local restaurant?

Pepper’s & BB’s are like home.

Favourite street in your city and why?

Palmerston for a nighttime bike ride.

Favourite park in your city and why?

Dovercourt for tennis. Trinity for friends. High for reading. Sorauren for sitting.

Favourite music venue in your city?

The Garrison, Painted Lady, and Standard Time.

Favourite music store in your city?

High Notes in Roncy for a Sunday vinyl and a coffee.

The post Five Minutes With: Singer-Songwriter Merv xx Gotti appeared first on Toronto Guardian.