Alberta-born country artist Taylor-Rae is making waves with her standout vocals and magnetic personality. Her breakout single “Are You Still Up” has topped 1.5 million streams and continues to climb, earning spots on major Spotify and Amazon playlists. Her summer follow-up, “I Can’t,” gained over 100,000 streams in its first month and secured her a spot on the cover of Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Country playlist.

Now, Taylor-Rae is turning heads with her brand-new EP, Heaven Right Now — a four-track collection that’s both deeply personal and confidently bold. The project has been in the works since April of last year, with singles released along the way, building anticipation for the full release.

All songs were co-written by Taylor-Rae herself. “It has been a cool experience diving into saying exactly what I want to say,” she said.

The title track, “Heaven Right Now,” is a special one. Co-written with Canadian country legend Carolyn Dawn Johnson — and featuring her vocals — the collaboration came together naturally after the two met at a songwriter’s round. A longtime fan of Johnson, Taylor-Rae felt she was the perfect writing partner for this song, and the creative chemistry was instant.

“We asked ourselves, what would it look like to tune out the outside noise and simply build the life you want?” Taylor-Rae explains. The result is a song that not only captures her voice as a writer but also helps establish her own lane as an artist.

While Taylor-Rae has always drawn from past musical influences, Heaven Right Now is the first time she’s truly created without second-guessing what people expect to hear.

“This EP feels like the most authentic take on who I am,” she says.

The response from fans has been exciting. The songs mix honesty with a bit of tongue-in-cheek charm, offering a glimpse into Taylor-Rae’s personality — unfiltered and unapologetically real.

Looking ahead, Taylor-Rae’s focus is on hitting the road and sharing these songs live. “The goal is to get on tour and play these songs in front of as many people as possible,” she says.

If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out the Heaven Right Now EP — and keep your eye on everything Taylor-Rae.

Country singer-songwriter Mitch Zorn hails from Nakusp, BC, where music was more than a pastime—it was a way of life. Raised in a musical family, he picked up a guitar at eight and was performing in a country/blues band with his dad not long after. With a household full of singers—his mom, grandma, and aunts—Zorn’s path to music felt almost inevitable.

By twelve, he was writing songs and after high school, Zorn balanced his passion for music with a career as an electrician, working in the oilfields of Canada and Texas while carving out time for writing trips to Nashville.

Over the years, Zorn has developed a sound that blends his wide-ranging influences—country, rock, hip hop, and blues—into something unmistakably his. His songs tell real stories, drawn from lived experiences and everyday emotions, making them instantly relatable.

As a finalist in the SiriusXM Top of the Country contest, Zorn gained well-deserved national attention. He recently released his self-titled debut EP, a five-track collection that’s been years in the making. Some songs were written as far back as eight years ago, others more recently. The project showcases Zorn’s versatility, featuring everything from R&B, country-rock and traditional country staples.

Zorn wrote every track himself showcasing his storytelling roots. One of his personal favourites, “Back To You,” stands out for its unique composition and emotional depth.

Fan response has been unbelievable. At his debut shows in Toronto, Zorn experienced the crowds singing his songs back to him, which he will never forget.

Now, Zorn is chasing momentum. He’s focused on releasing more singles and hitting the road as much as possible—“touring until there’s no touring left.”

Make sure to check out his new EP and head to his website to see all upcoming tour dates.

Passion and persistence, combined with raw talent and high expectations, have long been the driving forces behind Canadian country group Petric. Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, the band has racked up more than 15 million global streams, 12 charting singles and three top 20 hits. Their most recent album, Flashbacks, has alone drawn over three million streams and opened the doors to multiple international markets—most notably with their single “Flirtin” climbing as high as #23 on the Australian country radio charts.

After announcing a break in the fall to focus on family, the band is back together to share their new music and ideas with their fans! They were drawn back together by ideas for new music and were excited to pursue them. 

Their new single, “Still Love You,” was actually recorded about two years ago, but now feels like the right time to release it. The track showcases a bold, edgier side of Petric—one that fans haven’t quite heard before.

“The song captures everything that Petric is and I’m so excited for this song,” said Tom Petric.

The band is feeling reenergized and confident about their direction—both in the studio and on stage. A major goal going forward is to embrace a more natural, organic sound. They want their fans to hear live music that matches the authenticity of the studio recordings, just like it was in the beginning stages.

Petric will take the stage at the iconic Burton Cummings Theatre on Saturday, October 25, joined by a stellar lineup of local talent including Catie St. Germain, Leanne Pearson, Sean Taylor and Ross Roteliuk.

“The Burt is such a magical and iconic venue in Canada and we wanted to give ourselves something really exciting to look forward to and that was a show at the Burt,” said Jason Petric.

The show will include a mix of their hits and some new music! Get your tickets to see them live at the Burt on October 25 at Ticketmaster.ca.

Petric is excited for whats to come so make sure you stay tuned and don’t miss anything from the trio!

Country duo The Martin Boys — made up of brothers Macauley and Micah Martin — have been making music together since they were just 6 and 9 years old, singing in church with their mom. From those early days to performing on one of the biggest stages in the country on Canada’s Got Talent, the brothers are now turning heads in the Canadian country music scene.

They recently came in as runners-up on Canada’s Got Talent, and what really set them apart was choosing to perform only original songs throughout the competition.

“We are trying to make it as artists more than just singers so we picked the most upbeat, classic country sounding songs of ours,” they said.

Their finale performance featured a brand-new song, “Burn the Boats”, which they wrote just for the occasion — inspired by Shania Twain, who encouraged them to quit their day jobs and go all-in on music. They’ve taken that advice to heart.

Now, with momentum behind them, The Martin Boys are diving full-time into their music career and are excited for what’s ahead.

Canada’s Got Talent showed them that there is a want in Canada for what they do with their country music and gave them the confidence to go all-in.

On May 13, they released their new Burn the Boats EP, featuring five tracks — including the song they wrote for the show’s finale. Originally planned as a four-song release, they held off so they could add “Burn the Boats” to the mix.

“We love making music so so getting to come out with an EP was a really cool experience for us,”

Up next, the duo has a busy schedule of shows around New Brunswick and across the country — including a dream performance at The Calgary Stampede.

Check out all their upcoming performances at https://themartinboys.com/shows.

London-born and US-raised, Katy Hurt weaves together the sounds of Country, Americana, and Southern Rock, drawing inspiration from icons like Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow. Since her 2016 debut, she’s earned critical acclaim and performed at major festivals, including C2C at The O2 and the Isle of Wight Festival. After spending time in Canada, she released chart-topping singles like “Sounds Good in a Bar” and “Wish I Could Give You Up,” produced by Juno Award winner Murray Pulver.

Now, Hurt is gearing up to release her long-awaited debut album, Gimme A Break, out May 23. While she’s previously released EPs, this marks her first full-length record—and it’s a deeply personal one. She’s always aimed to infuse her projects with a sense of who she is, crafting music that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re having a good day or a hard one, she hopes this album will have a song that speaks to you.

Hurt co-wrote every track on Gimme A Break, staying true to the storytelling roots she’s developed since she began writing songs at thirteen. Finding collaborators like Gab Zsapka, Murray Pulver, and Rhianna Rae Saj was a turning point—musicians who brought fresh perspectives and made the creative process not only inspiring but genuinely fun.

In 2020, Hurt traveled to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to work with Pulver. They spent two weeks diving into her catalogue, revisiting everything she had ever written, and recording the album in a raw, live setting—with all the musicians playing together in the same room. That organic approach brought a vibrant energy to the record, captured in just two weeks.

The album’s latest single, “Before the Ice Melts,” is what Hurt calls her “red flag song”—about knowing someone isn’t good for you, yet feeling drawn back again and again by a magnetic, hard-to-resist connection.

Though Gimme A Break is just about to launch, Katy’s new releases are far from over. She has a catalogue of new songs already waiting to be released and is eager to take this music on the road!

Stay up to date with new releases and tour dates from Katy Hurt at https://www.katyhurt.com/.

Brandi Vezina is making waves with her bold storytelling and unapologetic grit. A proud Métis artist from Manitoba, Vezina’s music blends heartfelt narratives, modern country influences and emotional depth. 

2024 has been a milestone year for Vezina, with standout performances at BreakOut West and Country Music Week, as well as earning a spot in the Women in Music Canada Entrepreneur Accelerator. She was also honoured as the 2024 recipient of the Vince Fontaine Legacy Award. 

Her latest release, “Thinkin’ Bout You”, co-written with Styles Haury and Buddy Elliot, reveals Vezina’s softer side and proves her versatility as a songwriter. The goal was to write something nice and sweet about missing someone, showing a different side of her.

Her newest single “Country Glam” comes out on Friday, March 28, just in time for the first leg of the Grit & Glamour Tour kicking off in Fort Francis on April 4. 

“The song is for all of the dreamers, rebels and people who don’t want to sit in a box that people want them to,” she said. “It’s about going for what you want and not letting other people’s expectations tell you what you are supposed to be.”

She started writing the songs for the EP in the fall of 2022. There is a song that means the most to her and is going to show her roots/Americana side. She wrote it with a local Winnipeg artist, Scott Nolan. They wrote the song about Vezina’s hometown, Pine Falls, and how their mill closed in 2009. The song looks at it being 16 years later, what has happened to the town, how heartbreaking it is when the main industry leaves and what it does to the town and the people.

“I mean it from my bones, it’s a hard one to sing because I wrote it about my uncle who passed away and he loved Pine Falls and passed in their hospital. It’s been very therapeutic because I wrote it for him and his friends,” she said.

The Grit & Glamour Tour starts off with three dates in April and will continue in the fall after the release of the EP. The shows are curated so they are intimate, acoustic and meant to showcase her storytelling capabilities. Vezina will also host an album release party in Winnipeg!

So many exciting moving parts for Brandi Vezina and make sure you are on board for all of them!

Amanda Couture is a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter, recognized for her bold, dynamic voice and energetic performances. Over the past year, her music has gained traction, earning spots on editorial playlists on Apple Music and Amazon Music. As a songwriter, she reached a major career milestone when Annika Catharina’s “Bandit” soared to #1 on SiriusXM Top of the Country. Now, she’s stepping into the spotlight as a finalist in The Opener at Cowboys Calgary. With her captivating stage presence and undeniable songwriting talent, Amanda is quickly becoming a rising star in country music.

Growing up in a household filled with country music, Couture developed a deep love for the genre early on. Inspired by Taylor Swift’s storytelling, she started writing songs at a young age but became more serious about her craft in the last five years.

Her latest single, “Red Lights,” dropped on Friday, March 14. The song captures the magic of getting to know someone new—those unforgettable, cinematic nights that feel like they could last forever.

“The idea is you’re praying for one more red light, one more missed turn, one more detour—just so you can spend a little extra time with that person,” she said.

The music video for “Red Lights,” which is out on Friday, March 21, takes a performance-based approach, allowing Couture to put her face to her music and showcase the passion behind her lyrics.

Last summer, Couture recorded three songs with The Renaissance producers in Vancouver, with “Red Lights” leading the trio. The remaining two tracks are set for release later this year.

Balancing a growing music career with being a mom to a nine-month-old, Couture remains dedicated to her craft, making time to write at least once a week. Looking ahead, she hopes for more opportunities to perform live—especially with a full band—but for now, she’s focused on enjoying the journey one step at a time.

Check out “Red Lights” and stay tuned for new music coming from Amanda Couture!

Daylin Jørgensen’s musical journey has taken her through various genres, but country music has always felt like home. She started by covering country songs, ventured into pop, then found a blend of pop-country, but ultimately, country music is where she felt most connected as a songwriter and artist.

“When I’m writing, country music really speaks to my soul. I appreciate the storytelling aspects that both past and present country artists bring to the genre,” she shared.

Her songwriting is deeply personal, with every track—released or waiting in her back pocket, they are rooted in real-life experiences. Her single “Goodbye” was inspired by a breakup, transforming a difficult moment into a beautiful song. While it wasn’t easy to write at the time, the experience turned out to be incredibly cathartic.

Now, with the release of her latest single “Ripped Jeans,“ Jørgensen is proving her ability to turn everyday moments into catchy, relatable music. The idea for the song came from an overheard conversation at the mall, where two women were discussing the price of ripped jeans. Amused, Daylin jokingly responded, “They must be about a hundred dollars!” That one comment stuck in her mind and became the foundation of the song.

She also pulled inspiration from her own family. Growing up, her grandparents would often tease, asking, “What happened to your jeans?” or “Did you get those half price?” whenever she wore ripped denim. Wanting to capture that humor and nostalgia, she wove those lines into the lyrics, making the song even more relatable for anyone with a similar experience.

The “Ripped Jeans” music video, filmed at West Edmonton Mall in a store with a massive wall of jeans, perfectly complementing the song’s fun and uplifting vibe.

“I’m extremely excited for people to see this one. I think out of all my releases, this is one of my favorites,” she said.

Daylin’s path in music hasn’t been without detours. While pursuing her career in healthcare—first as a Kinesiologist and now as a Registered Nurse—music took a temporary backseat. But after completing her RN degree, she finally had time to dive back into her passion. Attending her first CCMA Week this past fall in Edmonton reignited her creative spark.

“I was so inspired by the talent we have in Canada and the strong community we’ve built in country music. That experience pushed me to get back in the studio and write “Ripped Jeans” with some of the people I met at CCMA Week,” she said.

Looking ahead, Daylin plans to take her music career to the next level with more co-writes, live shows, and a steady stream of new releases. If “Ripped Jeans” is any indication, fans can expect more catchy, heartfelt storytelling from this rising country artist!

Check out “Ripped Jeans” and the music video now!