17 Emerging Canadian Artists to Watch for in 2017

A new year means new artists to discover and love!  We went through the almost impossible task of narrowing down from the massive quantity of wonderful emerging talent we have here in Canada to a shortlist of 17 new artists that we have already fallen in love with and who we think hold the key to shaping the future of the Canadian music scene in 2017 in a big way!  We hope you enjoy learning about our prospects and that you take the time to follow them on social media.  Give them a shout out!  Tell them that Canadian Beats recommended them to you!

Repartee
Hometown: St. John’s, NL
Genre: Indie-pop
Follow

Photo credit: Tara Thompson

We are confident that 2017 will be the year for this energetic band from the East Coast and we are not the only ones taking notice either! They were named one of the best new bands of 2016 by Indie88.  Their hit single “Dukes” has been labelled an anthem of 2016 and has experienced regular rotation on radio and MUCH and has received over 105 000 views on YouTube.  Hear this song and many of their other gems on their All Lit Up Canadian Tour, which is happening now.

PUP
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Genre: Punk rock
Follow

Photo credit: Cassandra Popescu

All it takes is attending one PUP concert to convert you into a loyal fan, as this punk band rules the stage!  PUP just finished a three-night SOLD OUT residency at Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, ironically three years after they played their first headline show there to 100 people.  Need more evidence that this band is one to watch this year?  Their new music video for “Sleep in the Heat” features Stranger Things actor Finn Wolfhard and was ranked the #4 video of 2016 by Rolling Stone alongside videos by Beyonce and David Bowie!

Rival Town
Hometown: St. Catherines, ON
Genre: Pop punk
Follow

Photo credit: Tara Thompson

According to this recently relocated band, they have “big things planned for 2017”.  Originally from Thunder Bay, ON, these now southern Ontario residents will be putting out another EP with their label (Manic Kat Records), a music video and single in mid February and plan on a few tours.  After a busy 2016, which included the release of 2 music videos and 2 tours, there is no break in sight for Rival Town.  Put them on your list of bands to check out at a venue near you this year!

Jojo Mason
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Genre: Country
Follow

Photo credit: Nicole Wolfe

We totally dig the warm infectious smile of this soulful West Coast country boy and his fans do too!  We were first-handed witnesses to the energy put out by concert-goers when he hit the stage at Boots and Hearts this past summer.  Want to catch him in action yourself?  Mason has recently announced that he will be playing with Tim Hicks and Chad Brownlee in Vancouver and Kelowna in January on their massive upcoming tour.  Not from the West Coast?  Check out his video for “Made For You” below, which was released this past December.

Chris Buck Band
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Genre: Country
Follow

Photo credit: Canadian Beats

Arguably one of the busiest emerging bands this year has been the Chris Buck Band!  These guys rarely turn down an opportunity to play a live show and have played at every major festival and venue that BC has to offer,  which, in part, has helped them earn the distinction of “Club Act of the Year” for three years by the BC Country Music Association. They recently finished a two-week radio tour and their hit single, “Sun Sets Down” was their third straight to hit the Top 40.  They show no sign of slowing down in 2017!

Lion Bear Fox
Hometown: Vancouver, BC
Genre: Folk/Singer-songwriter
Follow

Photo credit: Tyler Simpson Photography

Three big voices came together from separate solo careers to create Lion Bear Fox and they have set out to prove that collectively they are a massive musical beast, much greater than the sum of it’s parts.  They secured themselves as a buzz band in 2016 and their single “Battle of Me” has been described as a ‘manthem’ for the ages.  2017 looks just as promising with a new album set to release in February and a BC tour in March in support of their album

Royal Tusk
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Genre: Rock
Follow

Photo credit: Orest Dorosh

A promise was made by Royal Tusk to their fans on social media that 2017 was going to be even bigger for them than their ‘one hell of a kick-ass 2016’.  We would like to see that from this gritty and confident band!  Big names like Buzzfeed have taken notice as well!  As they eagerly prepare to usher in 2017, they have much to celebrate, like their 2016 album DealBreaker, with hit single, “Soon”, surpassing 2 million plays on Spotify.  Great work gents!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2v5QcgMkqs

VACAY
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Genre: Pop
Follow

Photo credit: Cassandra Popescu

Self described as “a new man, with an old soul”, Levi Randall, better known as VACAY is a singer songwriter that took Toronto by storm in 2016.  He has stepped out of the box, musically speaking, to demonstrate his immense talent on a television show, “Lost & Found Music Studios”, which is airing globally on Netflix.  Randall’s heart belongs to his songwriting and his zest for writing honest music that appeals to all ages and backgrounds, such as his single “The Other Side”.  The world is at your fingertips, VACAY.  Lead and your fans will follow!

KROY
Hometown: Montreal, QC
Genre: Pop
Follow

Photo credit: LePigeon and Nouvelle Administration

KROY, the stage name for songstress Camille Poliquin, has successfully planted herself on the international stage as she has recently finished a European tour in support of the hugely popular Coeur de Pirate.  All this despite having only released her debut full length album, Scavenger, this past September.  Coinciding with its release was the distinction of being iTunes Canadian artist of the week.  KROY draws influence from both trip-hop and modern pop and her songs will have you swaying hypnotically to their rhythms that course through like a pulse you as you listen.

Charlotte Cardin
Hometown: Montreal, QC
Genre: Pop
Follow

Photo credit: John Londono

Charlotte Cardin’s smooth and smoky vocals have us, at Canadian Beats, and fans around the country taking note of her vocal prowess, which you can check out below in her single, “Dirty Dirty”.  Cardin was first introduced to the world in 2013 when she placed fourth on La Voix, Montreal’s version of The Voice.  Her debut EP, Big Boy was released early in 2016 and made its way to #1 on iTunes!  We can’t wait to get our hands on her full-length album, which is expected out this year!

Attica Riots
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
Genre: Alternative rock
Follow

Photo credit: Canadian Beats

Thank you Winnipeg for blessing us with the righteous sounds of alt rockers, Attica Riots!  This band was nominated by 102.1 the Edge Casby Awards for best new artists among other upcoming giants, including The Dirty Nil, Modern Space and the Banners.  Their hit single, “Misery” from their new album, Love, Sunshine & Hysteria is proof enough of their talent, which is just bubbling over, waiting to be introduced to the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhUQO–nfGY

Ascot Royals
Hometown: Brantford, ON
Genre: Rock/Pop
Follow

Photo credit: Orest Dorosh

What better way to start off a new year than to embark on a massive Canadian tour with the one and only, Big Wreck?  Fans across Canada will have the chance to decide for themselves the promise this band holds!  For an up-and-coming band, this is an opportunity worth its weight in gold.  But it doesn’t stop there!  They also played at the Indie Week Kick Off Party at The Burroughes in Toronto this past November.  Perhaps the lyrics of their latest single hold the truth for 2017… the best is yet to come!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkwr8d_jFng

The Road Heavy
Hometown: Aurora, ON
Genre: Rock/Blues
Follow

Photo credit: Nicole Wolfe

We predict the payoff for the miles and miles and MILES that this band has put on their tour van will be well worth the wait for this uber talented yet incredibly humble and funny southern rock/blues band from just north of Toronto.  In the few short years that they have been a band, they have toured twice to the East Coast (with one of those tours as a support band for Gilby Clarke) and this past summer they toured with Tea Party front man, Jeff Martin, for his solo acoustic shows.  Loyal Tea Party fans have become instant Road Heavy fans as a result, and are anxiously waiting for February when The Road Heavy sets out to join The Tea Party on their tour celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their popular album, Transmission.  Martin sees such promise in The Road Heavy that he also played a very important role as producer of their upcoming EP, which is set to release in 2017.

Fallen Heirs
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Genre: Hard rock
Follow

Photo credit: Darko Danicic 

We were first introduced to this hard rocking Toronto band at the infamous last concert for Scott Weiland before his untimely death, ironically alongside the above-mentioned, The Road Heavy.  These boys know how to put on a rock show!  They recently toured with Buckcherry in the fall and their new acoustic single, “Brave Will Fly” was recently released on all digital platforms.  Fans should stay tuned for the release of the song’s new music video and a promise from the band of heading out on the road soon!

Last Bullet
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Genre: Hard rock
Follow

Photo credit: Alex Still Brunch Moscall

Last Bullet is another hard-rocking band from Toronto that we love.  These fellows are a staple in the very hot Toronto music scene and have had some recent successes getting their name out there to the larger market.  This is partly in thanks to sharing the stage with A Rebel Few and Sebastian Bach of Skid Row this past November in London, ON.  Enjoy the official video for, “Sin” that is bound to make waves in 2017!

Dan Davidson
Hometown: Saint Albert, AB
Genre: Country
Follow

Photo credit: Canadian Beats

Not one, but two songs from country singer Dan Davidson have amassed some pretty heavy recognition.  “Found” has become the #1 selling and the #16 most played song in Canadian country and “Barn Burner” has been added to medium rotation on CMT’s playlist.  Fingers crossed Davidson makes it across the country in this upcoming summer festival seas;on so that we all have a chance to witness first-hand the making of a future superstar!

Jesse Roper
Hometown: Victoria, BC
Genre: Modern blues/rock
Follow

Photo credit: Maxine Degraaf

Jesse Roper might be BC’s best kept secret, but not for long!  His music and live show have been described as energetic, mesmerizing, explosive, and charismatic.  He incorporates modern blues and rock with a throwback to blues greats like Stevie Ray Vaughan.  Roper has released two albums, Son of John and Red Bird, and is set to release his third album in 2017.  If you crave a live performance that plays out like a massively fun jam session, put it on your to-do list to check out this man in 2017 as he sets out to places east of his home in Victoria BC.