Alberta’s Mariya Stokes is heading to PEI to play at Cavendish Beach Music Festival
PEI’s epic country music festival, Cavendish Beach Music Festival takes place from July 7-9, 2022. We teamed up with the event to conduct interviews with some of the Canadian talent leading up to the big day. First off, we spoke with Nice Horse, then Chris Ryan, and Raquel Cole. Now, we’re chatting with Mariya Stokes.
Alberta-based country artist, Mariya Stokes is a Country Music Alberta’s two-time Horizon Female Artist of the Year, and three-time CMAB “Songwriter of the Year” nominee. Her current single, “Break My Heart,” is a laid-back, pop-country feminist anthem. Produced by Juno Award-winners Spencer Cheyne and Justin Kudding and dripping with attitude, Stokes’ fourth single solidifies her commitment to empowering women and telling their stories.
You can catch Mariya on July 7 at 6:45 pm at the Kitchen Tides stage.
Listen to “Break My Heart” below, and find out more about Mariya Stokes via our mini-interview.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello Canadian Beats readers! My name is Mariya Stokes – I’m a country artist and songwriter based in Calgary, Alberta. I steal my Grandma’s clothes because there is nothing better than a vintage jumpsuit from the 70s, and my Grandma has fabulous taste. Kacey Musgraves is my idol, and I enjoy long walks on the beach. Currently, I’m in the process of recording an EP and have been releasing music since 2019. If you’d like to get to know me better, I encourage you to check my tunes out wherever you stream – my music introduces me more effectively than I can here!
Tell us a bit about your newest release.
My most recent single is “Break My Heart,” – a laid-back country-pop anthem featuring gritty guitar and 90s-style harmonies. The song is a challenge; it’s about having the confidence to be straight up and tell someone that you’re into them. I’ve heard a ton of country songs about men being interested in women at the bar; this song is about that too, but with typical gender roles reversed. “Break My Heart” is a playful little dare, and I hope you feel empowered and confident when you’re jamming out to it.
You’ll be playing at Cavendish Beach Music Festival later this month, is this your first time performing at the festival?
Thursday, July 7th, 2022, will be my first time ever performing at Cavendish Beach Music Festival and I could not be more excited and thankful to be heading to PEI this summer. It’s also my first time ever visiting the Canadian Maritimes! I can’t wait to finally meet the East Coast country music lovers I’ve been connecting with online and hopefully see a lighthouse or two while I’m out there.
What can attendees expect from your performance?
70s country soul is the root of my music, style, and everything I do, and attendees can expect down-home country story-telling with a groovy twist. Also, if you’re attending Cavendish Beach Festival, please warm up your vocal cords. We might play a few familiar cover tunes you can sing along to in addition to my songs.
Besides performing, what are you most excited to check out at the festival?
I’m really looking forward to watching the other bands play. The Cadillac Three are performing at Cavendish the same day I am, and I cannot wait to catch their set. If you haven’t heard their “Tabasco and Sweet Tea” album, check it out.
That said, if I’m not watching music at the festival, you can find me wherever the food is! Ha! I’m very excited to check out the festival’s local vendors and eat all the snacks PEI offers.
Do you have any other upcoming shows or festivals to tell us about?
Absolutely. A few summer tour highlights include the Nashville North Tent at Calgary Stampede and Southern Alberta Music Festival in Mossleigh, Alberta. A few other exciting shows are happening in the coming months, so if you’d like the most up-to-date info on where I’m playing, head to www.mariyastokes.com/tour. Hope to see you at a show soon!
Connect with Mariya Stokes:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok