Alberta rock artist transforms a personal story of survival into a defiant anthem of strength and self-love.
Alberta-based rock singer-songwriter Dahlia Wakefield has released her powerful new single “But No More,” the fifth track unveiled from her album, Phoenix Rising.
Driven by gritty guitars, soaring vocals and an unapologetic message of empowerment, “But No More” explores the moment someone decides to reclaim their life after experiencing mistreatment. The song draws from Wakefield’s personal experiences with domestic violence, transforming years of pain and silence into a rock anthem about survival, boundaries and self-love.
Dahlia Wakefield Finds Her Voice Through “But No More”
“The ‘But No More’ moment for me was finally choosing to love myself, taking a stand, and drawing a line in the sand. But no more,” Wakefield explains.
Written for anyone who has experienced belittlement, mistreatment or the fear of leaving a difficult relationship, the song carries a message of hope and personal strength.
“I hope this song becomes a reminder that protecting your mental health, your happiness and your safety matters.”
After years of keeping her experiences private, Wakefield decided it was time to share her story through music. Rather than revealing specific details about the relationship that inspired the song, she focuses on the message she hopes listeners will take away.
“Keeping details private, I don’t need to tell the world who this song is about,” she says. “I need to tell the world why I wrote it, in the hopes of helping others going through the same thing. I survived and I want others to know they can choose themselves, too, not out of selfishness, but out of self-love. Plus, not only can they thrive, but also heal and rise above.”
From a Kitchen Table Collaboration to a Rock Anthem
The origins of “But No More” date back to September 28, 2023, when longtime collaborator Kevin Frey visited Wakefield for a songwriting session.
Seven years after the two first met, Frey played a guitar riff and some early musical ideas at Wakefield’s kitchen table. She captured the moment in a voice memo before combining his music with lyrics that had been sitting in her notebooks for nearly a decade.
Having spent years performing other people’s songs and sharing their stories, Wakefield recognized that it was time to tell her own.
In 2024, she recorded the song’s bed tracks with JUNO-nominated producer Sandro Dominelli at Dominelli Studios in St. Albert, Alberta.
Rather than presenting her experiences through a quiet acoustic ballad, Wakefield embraced the intensity of hard rock. Heavy guitars, forceful drums and powerful vocals became the musical foundation for a song about refusing to remain silent.
The recording features several longtime collaborators, including guitarist Alan Tymofichuk, drummer Dennis Boisvert and bassist Jeff Godley.
Wakefield continued refining the mixes throughout 2026, ultimately taking full creative control of the final mix and master to ensure the finished recording reflected her vision.
Phoenix Rising: An Album About Transformation and Healing
The symbolism behind “But No More” connects directly to Wakefield’s forthcoming album, Phoenix Rising.
The song’s bridge references a phoenix rising from the ashes, continuing a theme previously explored in her single “Light of the Phoenix.”
For Wakefield, the phoenix represents transformation rather than revenge. It symbolizes leaving behind a version of herself who remained silent and embracing a future defined by healing, independence and personal growth.
Born in November, Wakefield also identifies with the phoenix as an archetype associated with her Scorpio zodiac sign, giving the album’s central imagery an additional personal connection.
Listen to Dahlia Wakefield’s Phoenix Rising on Spotify.
Meet Dahlia Wakefield: An Alberta Rock Artist With a Diverse Musical Career
Born in Cebu City, Philippines, and raised in Maidstone, Saskatchewan, Dahlia Wakefield has been performing since the age of five.
After spending time in Lloydminster and Edmonton, she settled in Stony Plain, Alberta, where she continues to build a career spanning more than two decades of professional performance.
A graduate with Distinction in Vocal Performance from Grant MacEwan University’s Music Program, Wakefield has also worked as a professional vocal coach and beginner piano instructor since 2011.
Her musical career stretches across multiple genres and projects. She performs with country-rock band Dirt Road Angels, fronts hard rock outfit Kerosene, and appears in the acoustic Dahlia & Alan Duo.
She also leads Dahlia & The Villains, performs with Twilight Time, a tribute to The Platters and doo-wop music, and occasionally joins 1980s metal cover band Shocker.
As the lead vocalist of Edmonton’s Brigade, Wakefield celebrates the music of Heart, performing alongside fellow Dirt Road Angel Karen Claypool.
Her career highlights include performing for more than 10,000 people at Edmonton’s Churchill Square on New Year’s Eve 2023 and providing backup vocals for legendary Canadian rock band Toronto in 2023 and 2025.
In 2026, Wakefield received Gold at the ISSA Awards for International Female Songwriter of the Year, along with a Gold Medal at the EIMA Awards for Best Rock Song for Social Change for “Light of the Phoenix.”
Canadian Beats has previously featured Wakefield’s music, including her 2024 singles “Still Waters” and “Queen of Overthinking”, offering readers a look at her evolving songwriting over the years.
Using Rock Music to Raise Awareness About Domestic Violence
The personal experiences behind “But No More” also reflect a broader issue affecting Canadians.
According to Statistics Canada, police recorded 128,175 victims of intimate partner violence in 2024, representing a rate of 356 victims per 100,000 population.
Because not every incident is reported to police, these figures do not capture the full extent of intimate partner violence in Canada.
By sharing her experiences through music, Wakefield hopes to encourage conversations about emotional well-being, personal safety and the importance of choosing oneself.
Her message is ultimately one of hope: survival can be followed by healing, renewed confidence and a new beginning.
Dahlia Wakefield’s Upcoming Alberta Shows and Phoenix Rising Album Release
With Phoenix Rising arriving October 16, Wakefield has a busy performance schedule ahead, including a special album release celebration in Edmonton on November 14.
Upcoming performances:
- October 16–17, 2026: Caffreys, Sherwood Park, AB — Kerosene
- October 23, 2026: Alberta Showcase, Dow Centennial Centre, Fort Saskatchewan, AB — Brigade
- October 24, 2026: Fall Harvest Dance, Ryley, AB — Dahlia & The Villains
- October 31, 2026: O’Byrne’s Irish Pub, Edmonton, AB — Dahlia & The Villains
- November 13, 2026: Blowers and Grafton, Sherwood Park, AB — Dahlia & Alan Duo
- November 14, 2026: Phoenix Rising Album Release Show, Chromozone, Edmonton, AB
- November 27, 2026: Edmonton Christmas Market, Fort Edmonton Park — With Kevin
- December 11–12, 2026: Grey Eagle Casino, Calgary, AB — Dahlia & The Villains
- December 13, 2026: Edmonton Christmas Market, Fort Edmonton Park
- March 16, 2027: Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Theatre, Camrose, AB — Twilight Time
- March 20, 2027: Drayton Valley Max Theatre, Drayton Valley, AB — Brigade
- March 27, 2027: Alumni Hall Theatre, Lakeland College, Vermilion, AB — Twilight Time
Phoenix Rising arrives October 16, 2026, with “But No More” offering a powerful preview of an album shaped by resilience, transformation and the courage to move forward.
In Conversation With Dahlia Wakefield
Hi, Dahlia! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers for those not familiar with your music?
Hey! My name is Dahlia Wakefield and I’m a singer/songwriter/recording artist/vocal coach/mentor. I wear many different hats and am a member of many different cover projects in many different genres, but my passion project right now is releasing my own music! On Tuesday, October 13, I will release my brand new rock album “Phoenix Rising”. It is my fourth commercial recording and is a concept album dealing with the themes of resiliency and resolve….from from pain to empowerment. On Sep 18th, I released my fifth single from the album called “But No More”. “But No More” is a raw, unapologetic rock song about what happens when you’ve spent too long hiding the truth to protect someone else. It’s about reclaiming your voice, choosing yourself, and finally breaking free. No more silence. No more abuse. No more fear. But No More.
You make it clear that this song isn’t about reliving your past—it’s about helping someone else find their future. At what point did you realize your story could become a source of strength for other people instead of something you kept to yourself?
Unfortunately, I know a lot of people in the same situation and/or have heard a lot of stories where people are trapped in loveless or abusive relationships. I just want to show people that anything is possible. After healing, my life completely changed once I left – for the better. Once you find the courage to live your best life, anything can be accomplished. So if I can do it, I know others can too because I didn’t feel like I was trapped that one. Luckily, there are wonderful organizations out there to help people. All they have to do is be willing to accept the help. It took me a while to do that but I have not looked back nor will I.
It’s also interesting to note that my friend Robin, who did the videography for “Light of the Phoenix”, which was filmed in beautiful Ashcroft, BC, had taken a picture of me with my back to the camera, looking into the valley with my guitar on my back. She said that it is a powerful photo, one that she thinks should be displayed at a women’s shelter with a link to my music, to help inspire other women to leave a troubled past for a better future. I think I just might do that!
“But No More” is a rock anthem, not a quiet ballad. Why did turning this chapter of your life into something loud, powerful, and unapologetic feel like the right way to tell the story?
True, “But no more” is more of a rock anthem, a slightly angry offering. I was angry at myself for staying so long, angry at the situation itself, angry at myself for allowing it to happen as long as it did. To help release the anger, I felt it best to pair it with fierce music, where I could really belt my notes. When Kevin played me that opening riff, I was hooked. I had kept a notebook of various poems and lines for songs from that era and it was and what Kevin was playing just matched perfectly to what I wrote. I do have a song called “In My Silent Hell”, however, which is a quieter confessional, but still a powerful song.
The title of the album is Phoenix Rising, and that image runs through the music. What does rising actually look like in real life? Is it one defining moment, or is it something you have to choose every day?
I think “rising” in itself is different for everyone. It could definitely be a defining moment, but for me, it was both: Choosing happiness, taking little steps, day by day to live my best life. Also, having the courage in deciding to finish and release this album was definitely a defining moment for me. The project was started in 2024 but then family issues came up, which made me even stronger for going through them. I could have stopped production, but I knew that it was important to continue and speak my truth. After this project is released, the possibilities are endless! I am very much rising to the challenge of seeing what’s out there; I think only the best is yet to come.
Also, my astrological sign is a Scorpio and one of the Scorpio archetypes is a phoenix rising from the ashes and I really feel like I’ve done that. I went from a very low point in my life to rising above everything that happened in the past and I can’t wait for bigger and better things to come every day. I’m grateful to say that life just keeps getting better and better!
You’ve spent years singing other people’s songs in tribute bands and cover projects before sharing more of your own experiences. Did finding the courage to tell your own story change the way you think about yourself—not just as a songwriter, but as an artist?
Absolutely. I love singing other people’s songs but to be true to myself, I knew I had to sing my own songs. Authenticity is very important to me. I buried my story for years, only telling a few souls that I absolutely trusted, but in order to heal, you have to FEEL it to heal it. While sometimes hard to re-live, these songs were very cathartic to write, even though I was hesitant about releasing them. It takes a great deal of courage to tell your story and speak your truth but I’m proud of myself for doing so.
This journey of life for sure isn’t easy, but I embrace my calling. I do hope that if there’s anyone going through what I’ve written about and it helps them in some way to dig deep to find the courage for themselves to ultimately achieve their freedom, then I’m grateful to be the vehicle to help steer them in the right direction!
Connect with Dahlia Wakefield:
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