Winnipeg's Women of Song

In Winnipeg over the last decade some incredibly talented women have taken their earned place at the very top of the “must see” lists of those in the know.

Following the lead of veterans like Heather Bishop, The Weird Sisters, and The Wailin’ Jennys, these rising stars come from all musical genres, but the biggest group seems to be in the roots/blues/pop/folk vein, so let’s start our exploration there.

Nathan is a band I am sure many of you have heard of or caught live. This dynamic four-piece includes Keri Latimer, who recently has been getting out locally performing as a solo artist, a young mom, a family focus has begun to show up in her recent songs. Engaging and appealing live, Latimer has begun to use a looping pedal for both her vocals and guitar much like Ontario’s Danny Michel does to add depth, rhythm and harmony to her solo work.

Romi Mayes is on track to become one of the finest Manitoban musical exports. Her bluesy, rough-edged acoustic work and hard living, clear-eyed lyrics give her a unique sound somewhere close to Lucinda Williams’ grit with less country and more blues. Live, Romi is riveting, playing with a snarling, swampy vibe that makes your head bob and your hand reach for a beer. Huge in Germany and Texas, Romi has yet to break out here, but it’s simply a matter of time. She has just released her second album Achin in Yer Bones. Do yourself a favour and pick this one up.

Alana Levandoski, too, has released her second album, Lions and Werewolves. Touring relentlessly, Alana attracted the attention of British producer Ken Nelson (Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Paolo Nutini) who travelled to Manitoba last winter to record in Alana’s hometown of Kelwood. Alana’s voice is unforgettable, haunting and impassioned. She is wise beyond her years and this new record places her in the same league as Emmylou Harris’ best country rock/pop efforts.

Music for films and TV is Jaylene Johnson’s specialty. She has written under contract for Sony Pictures Television and NBC Universal, and recently her song Grow was in an episode of the CBC hit series Being Erica. Jaylene has an angelic voice and her songs grow out of her collaborations with some of the planet’s finest songsmiths like Amy Sky (Heart, Olivia Newton John) and Justin Grey (Joss Stone, Hannah Montana). More pop than roots, Jaylene has just released her latest recording, Happiness.

Ash Koley is a pure pop princess with the looks and hooks as sharp as the best from ABBA or Eurythmics. Working with songwriter-producer Phil Deschambault, tunes like Mary the Inventor and Bugs are invasive earworms wiggling into your subconscious and revealing themselves during long elevator rides or morning arias in the shower.  

Soul music in the ‘Peg has taken a huge step forward with the arrival of Flo and Flosoul band. Smooth as the finest whiskey, Flo brings her understated R&B/pop flavoured soul to dance halls around River City. You Know I Know was the group’s first single and it’s a winner.

This is just a taste as there are so many talented females giving us great music across all genres from folk (Cara Luft, Sierra Noble), roots jazz (Jodie Borle), roots (Oh My Darling), and pop (Dominique Reynolds, Cat Jahnke) to country (Katelyn Dawn), alternative (Serena Postel) and rap (Sadie).

There is no stopping this next wave of female singers, so get out there and support Winnipeg’s women of song.