That Manitoba sound Five songs by local music artists that could not be contained by our borders By: Alan Small Posted: 4:15 PM CST Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/12/2023 (817 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s sterling reputation for singers, songwriters and musicians received a buff and a polish in 2023 from artists across the musical spectrum.

It feels as if Winnipeg churns out folk-rockers, country singers and songwriters like Detroit rolls cars off the assembly line — not to mention hip-hop, metal and jazz artists.

Listeners all over have begun to take notice of many Manitoba acts, thanks to their strong recordings and heavy touring schedules in 2023.

Here are five tunes by Manitoba artists that caught the attention of their fans at home and a growing legion of listeners around the world:

Tanqueray, William Prince

What a 2023 it was for the Peguis First Nation country-folk singer. He established a foothold in the United States with his album Stand in the Joy — which includes Prince crooning on this lovely tune — appearing at the world famous Grand Ole Opry radio show; the Americana Awards, where he earned a nomination for emerging act of the year; with Willie Nelson at the Red-Headed Stranger’s reunion concert in Texas; and to round out the year, a visit to Washington, D.C., for NPR’s trend-setting online show Tiny Desk Concerts.

Prince will aim to build on his success next year, starting with a cross-Canada tour of soft-seaters that includes the Centennial Concert Hall on March 2.

 

Right Here, Begonia

An angel and the devil are on Begonia’s shoulders in this banger from February’s Powder Blue. Whichever spirit’s advice she heeded, it proved to be the charm for Begonia, Alexa Dirks’ onstage persona in a busy and successful 2023.

The song is a big part of why the Polaris Music Prize jury chose the recording for its 10-album shortlist, and it played its part on Begonia’s tour of North America, Europe and a two-night Vegas-inspired residency at the Club Regent Event Centre in September.

 

Guts, Leith Ross

Tender moments and challenging memories abound in the transplanted Winnipegger’s debut pop record, To Learn.

Few songs are as challenging as Guts, in which Ross recounts the pain, betrayal and resentment stirred by sexual violence.

The song came with a trigger warning when Ross released it in May, but that hasn’t deterred the artist from gathering almost 1.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify. It shouldn’t deter you either.

 

Mountain Road, Boy Golden

If anyone took advantage of a golden opportunity in 2023, it was Liam Duncan, the Brandonite behind the Boy Golden persona. The Winnipeg Folk Festival called on Boy Golden and compadres Fontine and Kris Ulrich to pinch-hit for a mainstage no-show and they hit it out of the park while giving fans a preview of Boy Golden’s songs from his upcoming EP For Jimmy.

Mountain Road, a tune connected with Riding Mountain National Park and western Manitoba, opens with an ultra-catchy baritone guitar riff, and earned Boy Golden another primo gig, headlining the Burton Cummings Theatre Nov. 24.

 

Push it Down, Taylor Janzen

The Winnipegger embraced her emotions in February when she released the album I Live in Patterns, which includes this cool piece of synth-pop.

The album cover includes a photo of Janzen crying, but it will be her Winnipeg fans who are weeping. She held a farewell concert in August, just prior to her leaving to expand her music career in Nashville. May there be tears of joy in 2024 when Janzen finds bigger and better songs and success.

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There were many other memorable songs by Manitobans in 2023; here are 15 more that round out a Spotify playlist you can check out at wfp.to/mbsongs23:

I Told You So, Del Barber; Guillotine Dreams, Super Duty Tough Work; Love You to Death, Desiree Dorion; Rapture, Will Bonness; He Was a Good Man, He Was a Taxpayer, KEN Mode; Cold Coffee, Mitchell Makoons; The Kicker, Jocelyn Gould; Got It Back, Emma Peterson; Cypress Tree, Kyle Briscoe; Endangered Man, Billy Joe Green; Grand Marquis, Slow Leaves; Je suis un arbre, Andrina Turenne; Souvenir, Sean Burns; I Wish That We Never Met, Ariel Posen; Live and Learn, Almost Insight.

 

Five concerts to remember in 2023

Bruce Cockburn, Feb. 10, Burton Cummings Theatre

The stooped figure of the folk-music great is difficult to forget, but just as memorable were Cockburn’s guitar licks, which are as complex as ever, and the connection with his audience. Wondering Where the Lions Are, with the Burt audience acting as his backup singers, was a special moment.

Angelique Kidjo, June 18, Burton Cummings Theatre

The headline performance of the Winnipeg International Jazz Festival showcased the singing and unending energy of the 63-year-old Beninese singer and UNICEF global ambassador. She hypnotized the audience, many of whom shared her African background, in a concert that included nods to Latin salsa and the Talking Heads.

Begonia, Sept. 22, Club Regent Event Centre

The first of two nights of a Vegas-style residency had glitz, glamour and sentimentality, highlighted by Alexa Dirks, the singer behind the Begonia concept, lounging on a porch swing made specially for the occasion. A wonderful night.

Morgan Wallen, Sept. 28, Canada Life Centre

The country-pop singer defied the kind of PR crisis that has torpedoed other careers to become one of 2023’s biggest acts. More than 12,000 Winnipeg fans were quick to forgive Wallen’s transgressions and boogied along with his massive hits, including Last Night, which is one of the biggest sellers of the year. Having more pyro than an ’80s metal show didn’t hurt the concert experience either.

Tool, Oct. 29, Canada Life Centre

The American progressive-metal quartet delivered a sensory overload that fans have come to demand with large arena shows and equally large ticket prices. Tool’s wall of sound was a gutpunch but the band’s light show and CGI artistry pushed the experience to a new level.

Alan.Small@winnipegfreepress.com

X: @AlanDSmall