Saskatoon-based Indigenous singer-songwriter Raven Reid prepares to release her 10-song album Stages Of Gold on October 30, offering deeply personal storytelling alongside a fresh, full-band sound.
Indigenous singer-songwriter Raven Reid is preparing to release her new album, Stages Of Gold, on October 30, 2026. Following her acclaimed 2024 album, Waiting For Change, the 10-song collection continues Reid’s commitment to sharing personal experiences and stories from her community through music.
Reid’s latest release follows her 2024 album Waiting For Change, which Canadian Beats Media previously covered through an in-depth interview and album announcement. With Stages Of Gold, she continues sharing personal stories while embracing a new creative direction.
Ahead of the release, Reid introduces listeners to “Too Late,” an upbeat, roots-inspired single about missed opportunities, unspoken feelings, and the complicated timing of love.
“‘Too Late’ is about a missed connection. There was a guy I really liked, but I took too long to tell him. We became friends instead because I was too scared to say how I really felt.”
While much of Reid’s songwriting explores deeply personal and socially significant experiences, “Too Late” takes a more familiar approach to heartbreak, capturing the regret of a connection that never had the chance to become something more.
Raven Reid Embraces a Full-Band Sound on Stages Of Gold
Recorded at Toronto’s Gold Standard Recorders with engineers Ron Skinner and Paul Phelan, Stages Of Gold represents an important creative milestone for Reid.
For the first time, she recorded live off the floor with a full band, embracing a more spontaneous and collaborative approach to bringing her songs to life.
The sessions featured accomplished musicians including guitarist Kevin Laliberté, known for his work with Sultans of String, and drummer Dani Nash, who has performed with July Talk and Andy Shauf.
The experience encouraged Reid to explore a more energetic side of her sound, drawing inspiration from artists such as Lucinda Williams.
On “Too Late,” that influence comes through in a spirited performance that balances emotional honesty with the kind of roots-rock energy suited to a drive with the windows down.
From Yellowknife to Saskatoon: Raven Reid’s Musical Journey
Born in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Raven Reid has ancestral connections to the Mikisew Cree First Nation in Alberta.
Her life story has played a significant role in shaping her music.
As a child, Reid was affected by Canada’s Sixties Scoop, a period during which Indigenous children were removed from their families and placed in the child welfare system, often leading to adoption by non-Indigenous families.
Raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Reid discovered her love of storytelling at just six years old, beginning with short stories and poetry before eventually teaching herself guitar and transforming her writing into songs.
Today, Reid is a full-time artist based in Saskatoon, performing at festivals throughout Saskatchewan and sharing her experiences through both music and public speaking.
Beyond the stage, she regularly speaks at schools, women’s summits, and gatherings of Sixties Scoop survivors, using her voice to encourage understanding and connection.
With Stages Of Gold, Reid continues that journey, bringing together personal reflection, community stories, and a renewed sense of musical exploration.
Stages Of Gold arrives October 30, 2026.