Music on the Fly
May 17, 2024
May 17, 2024
A little extra time at the airport? Walking along the waterfront and searching for something to do? Why not take in a live music performance from one of the many talented local artists. In partnership with the City of Toronto. ArtHaus and Catapult, Music on the Fly @ YTZ will fill the atrium of Billy Bishop Airport with the sounds of live music.
If you missed a performance, or want to hear from the artists again, we have created a Spotify playlist for you to enjoy.
Rachel Hickey is an Ontario-raised singer-songwriter, her distinct sound nestled somewhere between folk, pop and rock music. Inspired by artists like Shania Twain, Joni Mitchell, and Feist, Rachel’s performances are both emotional and energetic, packed with stories and heartfelt lyrics. Following her 2021 debut EP Getting By, Rachel’s sophomore 2022 EP So Long further evolved her sound and earned her coverage in Exclaim! magazine as well as plays on CBC Radio across Canada. She is currently performing live across the country in support of her debut full-length album, ‘The Eve of St. Agnes’ out now. Learn more at www.racheljhickey.com.
Redefining the pop genre with edgy rock undertones and haunting vocals, Takaayla’s sapphic pop alternative grunge is anything but easy to describe. Born in Toronto, Canada in 2000, Takaayla has a fearless determination to create music that breaks boundaries and inspires listeners. She is very open about women empowerment and her queerness.
Born to Chinese and English parents in Toronto, Canada, Jade Hilton is making her mark through her emotive voice and storyteller songwriting. The singer/songwriter fuses earthy country melodies over pop soundscapes. Jade released her first album in 2022 to much success. Her songs were featured on a number of notable Spotify editorial playlists such as New Music Nashville, Live Country, and Fresh Finds Country. Jade has performed at many notable live events in Canada. She performed at the CMAOntario Awards 2024, NXNE festival 2024, was the official anthem singer and a live performer at the National Bank Open in Toronto the past three years, and performed at Hotel X Toronto, Muskoka Music Festival, Sofar Sounds Toronto as well as multiple other venues in the city this past year.
Chara Kai-Le is an alt-pop songwriter and producer based in Toronto. Her multicultural upbringing in Malaysia, Singapore, England, and Canada profoundly influences her unique musical style. Her debut EP "LIMINAL" reflects her experiences as a Southeast Asian woman in a Western society and has attracted listeners globally. Her 2024 sophomore EP "KINTSUGI" delves into healing from grief and finding beauty in brokenness. Recognized by FACTOR Canada and the OAC, Chara creates music that resonates with a worldwide audience through contemplative yet relatable lyrics.
@charakaile
blue monday is a queer indie/folk songwriter and singer from Toronto, and describes her music as "acoustic electropop". Artistically influenced by artists like Holly Humberstone and Robyn, blue monday's music is inspired by the intersection of love and sadness, and every body of water to ever exist. Exploring themes of unrequited love and the fickleness of human memory, and blending stripped back vocals and instrumentals with lyrical intimacy, blue monday creates a haunting soundscape that asks you to wade into the river of time, and let yourself sink into the deep.
@allbluemonday
Nigel Irwin is a Cree-Canadian musician, composer, and storyteller from Niagara Treaty territory, who lives in Toronto - Dish With One Spoon Territory. As Creative Director of Nagamo, Irwin has helped build the first production-music library created entirely by Indigenous artists, working closely with a growing network of Indigenous singers and musicians worldwide. In addition, Irwin also provides original musical scores for film and television projects. Recent credits include scoring the Crave Original Thunder Bay and CTV’s Acting Good. Further credits include mixing and sound design for BUFFY Podcast for CBC, two Nature of Things episodes, and the Tom Longboat Heritage Minute. He also provided the score for two recent award-winning productions, Shadow of the Rougarou on Apple TV and kwéskosíw (She Whistles), which won Best Short Film at the recent Weengushk International Film Festival. Irwin also provided the music for a VR Experience produced by the NFB called This Is Not A Ceremony which made Official Selection at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Through his own artist music, Irwin became the 2019 recipient of the Bullseye Music Award through imagineNATIVE and Slaight Music. Irwin has been published in VICE, The Nation, Two Row Times, and the Niagara Falls Review, covering a wide range of Indigenous stories.
Jace Martin is an award winning artist, songwriter & producer that has charted on the USA Top 40 & #1 in Canada on the R&B Charts! He has shared the stage with Canada's Queen of Jazz Salome Bey, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Robbie Robertson and GRAMMY Winner Jonny Lang. His new album "Beautiful Broken Pieces" is available now on all platforms.
@jacemartinmusic
James N. Wilson is a Mohawk and French-Canadian Singer-Songwriter Musician from Six Nations of The Grand River. He has performed his music all around North America sharing the stage with many artists such as Derek Miller, Logan Staats, DJ Shub, and many more. His original music has been compared to artists such as Dave Matthews, Shawn Mendes, and Coldplay. In December of 2019 his song “City Lights” hit #1 on the IMC Indigenous Music Countdown. He is set to release his second album "Alive" in 2024.
@jamesnwilsonmusic_
Ariana Fig, born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, is a gifted and passionate musician whose love affair with music began at the young age of three. From her early days as a violinist in string ensembles and youth orchestras, to gracing the stages of musical theatre productions, Fig's musical journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. At the age of 13, Fig's creative spirit led her to explore the art of songwriting, and since then, there has been no looking back. Her journey has consisted of honest and heartfelt compositions and has become a powerful reflection of her evolving identity.
Sarah Hiltz is a contemporary folk artist based in Toronto, Canada. Her newest album (CALM FURY) is a collection of songs that grew out of her research into the ways we experience, express and repress anger in modern society, especially women. Hiltz has independently released four full-length albums and two EPs since 2009. Her work as a talented singer-songwriter has landed her Folk Music Ontario’s Songs From The Heart Award, opening slots for Canadian icons Gordon Lightfoot and Ron Hynes, a Best Folk Album nomination (Toronto Independent Music Awards) and earned her an invitation to give a TEDx talk.
@srhiltz
J3M is a fusion of pop, disco & R&B, sure to live in your head rent-free. The award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, pianist has backed artists like Lu Kala, Yukon Blonde, Leith Ross, Tanika Charles & more, locally & internationally. Sharing stages with everyone from K’naan to Cupcakke, J3M is no stranger to the industry; playing festivals like POP Montreal, Ottawa/Toronto Pride and Osheaga. His debut EP AFRONAUT, featured on CBC Q and Searchlight is out now.
@j3msings
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, singer-songwriter Julianna Jones is a powerhouse with a rich RnB Pop voice and an insatiable core fanbase for her authenticity and sharing her stories unapologetically. Living life to its fullest, she is echoing her experiences to fans who are navigating life as new adults, relating to her fans on every level. Drawing from modern and classic influences such as Ariana Grande, Julia Michaels and SZA, she infuses Rnb, soul, pop, and rock songwriting from her personal experiences in love and life.
@juliannajones
"Blessed with all the charisma and charm in the world, Toronto artist PÄTER continues to surprise and beguile us with the energetic glow and appeal of their explosive alternative pop/rock sound" - Kieran Rogers, CLOUT
Enter the Päterverse. After grabbing the attention of listeners internationally by posting original music online, Päter (Iran-born, Toronto-based Parmida Kakavand)’s debut single ‘Dam, Damn’ racked up over 2,000,000 streams on Spotify alone. Two EPs and a string of self-directed visuals later, Päter is back with their debut LP project, ‘4-7 Company’. Teaming up with Vancouver producer Howard Redekopp (Tegan & Sara, Mother Mother), Päter explores the solitary hours between4-7pm, when you’re "alone with your thoughts and anything can happen”. As vulnerable as it is theatrical, the album sees Päter confidently navigating through their brightest and darkest storytelling yet. In support of the album, Päter is showcasing at CMW, Springtide Festival and Cityfolk Festival in 2024.
@paterverse
Paula Sofía is a Guatemalan singer-songwriter based in Toronto. From the stage, Paula weaves a playful connection with her audience, turning each live performance into a unique, shared moment. While most of her songs are in Spanish, Paula transcends language boundaries through her quirky songwriting, vivid imagery, and a touch of playfulness. She navigates the human experience and shares it with her listeners through her melodious voice.
@paulasofiamv
Jessica Wolowich is an indie singer-songwriter based in Kingston, Ontario. With a background of performing with various bands, Jessica's solo work takes a different path, featuring stripped-back instrumentals that emphasize her melodies and lyrics. In May 2024, she released her debut single, "Stay," along with an accompanying music video. This marks the beginning of her first summer of live music touring.
@jessicawolowich
Kev Olden's musical journey is deeply shaped by his native Ireland and new home in Canada. Relocating to Toronto in 2020, he has seamlessly woven elements of Americana and indie folk into his musical tapestry. The result is a unique fusion of heartfelt storytelling and evocative melodies. His work has been featured on Mahogany Sessions and Hot Press. He was successfully chosen to be in the RBC Music Entrepreneurship Program, highlighting and working with some of the best emerging talent in Canada in the music industry. He has spent the last year working towards his upcoming EP ‘Always At Dusk’.
@kev_olden
Raised in Brampton, Ontario, RSY infuses her R&B music with rhythmic beats and ethereal vocals. Her first three singles served as an introduction to her sound, but this new era promises to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of RSY's range and taste. Delving into themes of truth and vulnerability, her music offers a universally resonant experience, perfect for finding solace or providing a vibrant morning drive soundtrack.
@risirsy
Ramona Vee is a Mexican/Canadian Artist. First introduced to music as a child through piano lessons and later through band, Ramona Vee began singing during her teenage years. She performed as the lead singers in a local RnB/Funk band and started to take wedding and background vocal gigs around the city before she started producing for herself. Currently Ramona Vee is focused on crafting a unique sound influenced by Toronto‘s Indie scene, cumbia, bachata, reggae and corridos.
@ramonaveeforever
Nestled between boy genius and Bon Iver, Paesler’s debut single “Gold” features beautiful female vocals, catchy melodies and serene instrumentals. With comforting yet gripping soundscapes and compelling verse, Paesler works to process and explore topics such as the nature of accumulation, life stages, and what it means to have unconditional and radical love for every person you meet. Paesler’s upcoming EP “when things do not dry they are heavy” is co-written and produced by TALK (Nicholas Durocher and Connor Riddell): the team who create all music for TALK’s projects, including the smash hit “Run Away to Mars”.
@paesler.mp3
Toronto-based pop auteur Kennen began writing & producing songs at age 12. The multi-hyphenate released his first solo tracks as a singer in 2020. The beat-forward, lovelorn songs–including quintessential indie-pop "1 2 365 4 Me”–amassed ~4,000,000 streams on Spotify as of 2023; landing editorial playlists such as NMF Canada, Daily Lift, Fresh Finds, GLOW, it’s a bop, Jasmine, and more. He’s performed at major venues and festivals including Toronto's Phoenix Concert Theatre and TIFF. Over 9,000,000 streams are under his belt as a genre-fluid producer, including his work for artists such as Vardaan Arora, Tia Kofi, and Lyle Kam.
@kennensings
Dani Saldo is a Filipino-Canadian artist & songwriter who makes vulnerable & conversational music with moody melancholy & dreamy coming of age productions. Her music is genuine & honest as she explores love & self-discovery. With a proven track record, her song “All I Need” premiered in Anna Kendrick’s movie “Alice Darling” in TIFF 2022 and she has had numerous other song placements in film & TV. Her debut EP "everything I couldn't say" is out now on streaming platforms everywhere, speaking on grief, mental health, disability, love and more. Continuously collaborating with numerous artists & producers she is continuously making music soon to be released.
@dani.saldo
With depth that accompanies wisdom, the grit of anxiety and influences of yesteryear’s troubadours, enter Heather Russell; a 23-year-old powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, based in Toronto. Inspired by a love of film noir and pop culture, Heather’s songs have a vintage, theatrical feel with a voice akin to the Mariahs and Arianas of the world. After navigating the industry's twists and turns since signing a major record deal at the tender age of 9, she possesses the determination and life experience to lay it all on the line.
@Heatherrussellofficial
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