Indigenous singer-songwriter and member of the Abegweit First Nation, DeeDee Austin was nominated for Music Nova Scotia’s Indigenous Artist of the Year in 2021 and 2022, along with Nominations for New Artist Recording and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year 2022. Austin garnered Indigenous Artist of the Year and New Artist Recording 2022 for her debut EP Stepping Stones – recorded and produced by award-winning producer Scott Ferguson and co-produced by Owen O’Sound Lee. All songs were written and arranged by DeeDee herself.
Her latest single, “Natural, Born Original” was released earlier this year and premiered at the Closing Ceremony for Canada Games 2023.
DeeDee is set to play StanFest main stage on Friday, July 21 from 6:30 – 7:00 pm.
Listen to “Natural, Born Original” below and learn more about DeeDee Austin via our StanFest interview.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is DeeDee Austin, I am a 17-year-old, multi-award-winning indigenous singer/songwriter from Fall River, Nova Scotia.
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
On March 5th I had the opportunity to premiere my newest single “Natural, Born Original” at the Closing Ceremony for Canada Games 2023. The inspiration for this project came to me when my father handed me a piece of paper that said “You’re born an original, don’t die a copy.” I fell in love with this idea because everyone is their own individual and so I felt that this song could speak to a lot of people!
You’re playing Stan Rogers Folk Festival this year. Is this your first time playing the festival? If so, have you ever attended?
This will be my second year performing at Stanfest, but my first time playing at Stanfest with my band! Last year, I had the opportunity to perform as a duo act on the arena stage and then I had the opportunity to perform one song solo on the Main Stage!
Unfortunately, I will not be attending Stanfest for all three days, as I had previous bookings prior to Troy inviting me to play again this year, which I am forever grateful for.
Special shoutout to Troy Greencorn for continuously believing in me, for all of the love and support, and for just being an amazing friend all around!
With a stellar, hugely-Canadian lineup, who are you excited to check out at the festival?
This year at Stanfest, I am anticipating seeing Dave Gunning, The Guthro’s, J.P. Cormier, Quote the Raven, and Silver Wolf Band, whom I am honored to call my friends!
For someone who has yet to see you perform live, describe your performance in 3 words.
My live performance in three words is; Energetic, entertaining, and inspirational…
On Saturday, July 22, there will also be a tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, so I have to ask, what is your favourite Gordon Lightfoot song?
My favorite song by Gordon Lightfoot is Sundown!
Do you have any other upcoming shows or festivals to tell us about?
I have 15 performances in July, and August is looking really great too. I have bookings leading up to October and some of these include, Canada Day Celebrations in Charlottetown, North American Indigenous Games (multiple dates), Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Granville Green, and Truth and Reconciliation in Ontario.
If you’re planning on coming to one of my shows this summer, make sure to bring your dancing shoes and a box of Kleenex… because it can go either way or better yet – it GOES both ways!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!