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NATIONxNATION

NATIONxNATION (NOV 8 - 10) is a global music export initiative launching during
INDIE WEEK (NOV 9 - 13) online conference 2021 that will showcase export-ready artists. NATIONxNATION will focus on national and international artist showcasing and export opportunities, global market education, B2B meeting sessions and mentorship for export-ready Canadian artists.

NATIONxNATION

DAYxDAY SCHEDULE

MON NOV 8

11 AM • Sync Panel

12 PM • Sync Breakouts (INVITE ONLY)

 Mark Frieser (Sync Summit), Patricia Carrera (Control Freaks), Tamara Bubble, Mark Garfield

Speakers: Patricia Carrera (Control Freaks),  Mark Garfield, Mark Frieser (Sync Summit) Tamara Bubble

1 PM • Focus on Latin America

Speakers: Robert Singerman (LyricFind), Jose Velasquez (Veltrac), Raquel (VMF), Fabiana Batistela (SIM Sao Paulo), Diego Marx (CoMA FEST)

2 PM • B2B with Latin America

Speakers: David Mcloughlin (Brasil Calling), Carlos Estigarribia (Avakin Life), Carmen Barahona (En Orbita), Fabiana Batistela (Sim Sao Paulo), Jose Velasquez (VMF), Lucas Cavendish (Music Pro Awards), Oliver Knust (Fluvial), Patricia Carrera (Control Freaks), Sergio Arbalaez (FIM Pro), Diego (COMA), Andre (COMA)

TUES NOV 9

11 AM • OFFICAL INDIE WEEK CONFERENCE OPENING REMARKS

ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81077432008

With special guests: Darryl Hurs (Indie Week / CD Baby), Sandra Sutter (Sandra Sutter Music), Andrew Cash (CIMA, Canadian Independent Music Association)

12 PM • Export Insights – Programs and Services from the Trade Commissioner Service of Global Affairs Canada
Presented by Global Affairs Canada
ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89764043060

Speakers: Jeffrey Crossman (Global Affairs Canada), Darryl Hurs (Indie Week / CD Baby)

1 PM • Export Insights – The Trade Commissioner Service – A Valuable Part of Your Team Abroad
Presented by CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association)
ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86113539275

Speakers: Trisha Carter (CIMA, Canadian Independent Music Association), Claudia Seeber (Trade Commissioner for the Embassy of Canada in Berlin), Andre Galuban (Trade Commissioner for the Dallas Consulate)

2 PM • Funding to Support International Activities
ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82222645677

Speakers: Ian Andre Espinet (BDRB), Michelle Holtzkener (Ontario Creates), Paige Guscott (FACTOR), Jeff Hayward (FACTOR), Emy Stantcheva (Music Ontario)

4 PM • Be Present Everywhere
Presented by LyricFind & CAB
ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84520860293

Speakers: Robert Singerman (LyricFind)
Darryl Hurs (Indie Week / CD Baby), Sarah Guppy (Gig Life Pro), Fabiana Batisela (SIM Sao Paulo), Peter Astedt (Future Echoes), Lucas Cavendish (Music Pro Awards), Jose "Pepe" Velasquez (Veltrac Music Festival), Grace Puluczek (CRANC PRO), Carmen Barahona (En Orbita)

5 PM • Be Present Everywhere Breakout Sessions

ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84520860293

WED NOV 10

12 PM • Focus on Europe (EAST + CENTRAL)
Speakers: Xavier Barcelo (FIRA B), Gleb Divov (Lithuania)

1 PM • B2B with Europe (EAST + CENTRAL)
ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83250669669
Speakers: Boyan Robert Pinter (PanHarmony), Gleb Divov (Lithuania), Karma Bertelsen (Kilimanjaro Live), Xavier Barcelo (FIRA B), Grace Puluczek (FIRA B)

NATIONxNATION

GET TO KNOW THE
SHOWCASING ARTISTS:

3409 (Canada)
Presented by City of Toronto

3409 is a 4-piece alternative hip hop band from Toronto with an experimental approach to pop music, given the diverse cultures of the group’s members. What started as a class project between 3 Humber music business students quickly evolved into an experiment in genre modification. Combining elements of dance, pop, hip-hop, and world music with contemporary R&B, 3409 prides themselves in their diversity.

AHI (Canada)
Presented by CIMA

While it’s undeniable that AHI’s voice could easily steal any show, he has learned to harness his instrument’s power by balancing its range across a colourful landscape of tightly crafted lyrics, driving rhythms, and catchy melodies.
His first album We Made It Through The Wreckage (2016) broke the Billboard Spotify charts and landed him on NPR's Tiny Desk, while his second In Our Time (2018) debuted at #2 on iTunes, and skyrocketed to #1 on Amazon after AHI’s captivating live performance on CBS, ultimately earning high praise from Billboard, American Songwriter, SiriusXM, and more; 6 places on the 2018 GRAMMY ballot, including Album of the Year, Best Americana Album, and Best American Roots Song and Performance; and his first-ever JUNO Award nomination in the category of Contemporary Roots Album of the Year, establishing AHI as one of Canada’s most promising new voices.

Alex June (Chile)
Presented by En Orbita

Alex June is a Franco Chilean pop singer and songwriter. She stands out for using lyrical
voice. She developed an international career in Paris and since her arrival in Chile (2017) she has performed many scenarios from the underground scene to festivals like Lollapalooza.
She was nominated in the categoree of best video clip in the last edition of the IN-EDIT 2020 awards, and for Indigo Awards in the category; Internationalization of Sounds of Chile” in 2019.
During the pandemic, she presente an online show in the Chilean cultural center Matucana 100 as part of their music program.
Some of her main perfomance include several festivals around of the world such as, “Festival Villette Sonique” (FR), Transmodern Festival (USA), “SIM festival” Sao Paulo (BRA), “The festival” Cuernavaca (MX), Redbull Radio Show live, Chile. In Paris, she was discovered by Manish Arora who invited her to perform and to walk for Paris Fashion week. Alex June was selected to play in the Swedish festival Future Echoes in feb 2021.

Ammoye (Canada)
Presented by Global Toronto

Ammoye is an infectious vocalist raised in reggae. Originally from Clarendon, Jamaica, now residing in Toronto, Canada, this 5X Juno Award Nominee, has been consistently performing at high-profile events and festivals. With catchy melodies, she reveals her buttery vocal range and an insatiable character.

Angela Saini (Canada)
Presented by CIMA

Prairie-raised, Toronto- based folk Americana artist Angela Saini is all about second chances and empowering others. A 2017 Toronto Independent Music Award winner and 2020 Independent Music Award Nominee, she uplifts and inspires audiences with sing-alongs and storytelling about courage and finding joy in surprising places. With several Canadian tours under her belt as well as treks across Germany, England and The Netherlands, the positive and upbeat songstress has been called “massively talented” by BBC Radio. Heard on CBC Radio, Stingray, and Sirius XM across North America, she is most known for her sunshine-soaked song “Living on the Bright Side,” and has performed for festivals in Canada such as Home County in London, and The Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Aysanabee (Canada)
Presented by City of Toronto

Aysanabee is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer songwriter currently based in Toronto. He recently signed with Ishkode Records, founded by Shoshona Kish and Amanda Rheaume. He was featured in the Indigenous Music Awards Emerging Artists Series (IMAs) and this year’s International Indigenous Music Summit. He recently released two singles and is currently working on his debut album with producer Hill Kourkoutis. He is Oji-Cree, Sucker Clan of the Sandy Lake First Nation.

Beny Esguerra & New Tradition (Canada)
Presented by Global Toronto

Beny Esguerra leads New Tradition Music performing Afro-Indigenous Colombian music from a conscious inner-city perspective.

He arrived as a child in Tkaronto (Toronto, Canada) from Bacatá (Bogotá, Colombia) as a political refugee with his parents, who were receiving threats for their human rights activism. Today, Beny Esguerra is a JUNO nominated multi-instrumentalist/producer, spoken word poet, arts educator, and community worker. In April 2021, he was honoured with the Ontario Arts Foundation Artist Educator Award given annually to an Ontario resident who exemplifies excellence in arts education and continues to maintain an active arts practice.

Caveboy (Canada)
Presented by What's The Story?

With a fresh yet nostalgic perspective on alternative pop, Montreal’s Caveboy root themselves in the timeless music of their parent’s generation and build to unforgettable chaos during their live performances. The trio built a strong fanbase with their electrifying performances at SXSW, Osheaga, Pride Toronto, the Pre-Grammy Celebration of Canadian Excellence, the JUNO Gala Awards, Halifax Pop Explosion, M for Montreal, and support performances for Japanese Breakfast, Tash Sultana, Ria Mae, Cub Sport, and Wintersleep. Their songs have been heard in Maid, Orange Is The New Black, The New Romantic, Killjoys, Happiest Season, and Jump, Darling.

Disappeared Completely (Ukraine)
Presented by Music Export Ukraine

It’s like The XX married Massive Attack with Radiohead mood.

Disappeared Completely is an indie-pop trio from Kyiv, established by a few university friends in 2016. The band had their big release ‘Sea of Fallen Nests’ LP in 2017, which was highly praised by music critics and fans, and got Disappeared Completely features in several major publications like Rolling Stone and Men’s Health.

Ekelle (Canada)
Presented by CIMA

Ekelle is an artist from Toronto. Ekelle rhymes about what she knows best: her real-life experience! Money, sex, drama, and identity stir together to create a style that she calls Hood Pop - Popular music with a street edge. Hood Pop combines elements of hip hop, pop, and R&B. She’s performed at large-scale events like Afrofest and the Durham Caribbean Festival. Her earlier music was popular with blogs like the Come Up Show and Toronto Rappers, it wasn’t until her debut solo EP, Dark Skin and Tattoos that larger blogs like EARMILK, OK Nigeria, and Flavourmag UK started to take notice. Singles the Hood Pop EP have been featured on blogs like Exclaim, The Hype Magazine, and FOMO. In 2020 Ekelle had a collaboration with Thrust, performed for GTA Pride, Nuit Blanche, Radio Humber and a special collaboration show between RISE and ArtStarts. Ekelle is currently signed to Motive Music.

Fantastic Mammals (absurdus mammalis) are bipedal, semi-nomadic hominids who originate from the midwestern plains of North America. Highly socialized by nature, these curious creatures are most notable for their distinctive fur patterns and ability to communicate via song using crude instruments and guttural vocalizations. 
 Fantastic Mammals arose from ex-Real Estate Fight members shifting their sensibilities from alt-rock to embrace a more vulnerable post-punk sound with straightforward pop-punk, emo, and indie rock moments along the way. Their 3rd era album "Fantastic Mammals (And Where To Find Them)" is their first released on Camp Hopeless. FM(AWTFT) sways between self doubt and acceptance in a raw and manic way, heralding the mid-90's Emo revival movement. Recorded at Electrical Audio and MinBal in Chicago, IL; the stripped-down presentation and live-tracked outing was mixed by Sam Pura (The Story So Far, Basement) at Panda Studios CA. The results let the Mammals howl in the light before dark. Even at its' most optimistic pop-punk moments, there is something urgent and painfully honest bubbling just under the surface until the records' very last breath.

Flara K (Canada)
Presented by CIMA

Flara K is a self-produced duo from Montreal, Canada who explore a unique blend of R&B, indie pop, and electronic music inspired by acts such as Chiiild, Golden Vessel, and Edwin Raphael. Flara K is a duo from Montreal, Canada who explore a unique blend of indie R&B. 

Their 2020 EP titled Anxious, Irrational, Fashionable is a collection of collaborative efforts alongside Mike Clay (Clay and Friends), Shakur Ahmad (Glass Animals), Milo Gore, and producer Lucas Liberatore. The release, accompanied with a month-long livestream RV tour across Canada helped garner attention from various outlets such as Radio-Canada, BBC Introducing, CBC, including a feature with Thomas Power on CBC's Q.

FRACTAL (Chile)
Presented by En Orbita

Fractal is about diversity: Eight musicians, over 50 instruments from all around the globe and a variety of sounds rarely found on any stage in the world. Fractal is about diversity of sounds, styles, images, rhythms and cultures. Since its formation in 1997, Fractal has been integrating a variety of aspects of world music, always keeping a Latin American perspective. Its members have travelled around the world collecting instruments and skills from local masters, studying the cultures at their origin and bringing all this back to create each new project. Fractal has produced 6 different conceptual albums, OST for the film Chilean Gothic, one DVD “Sinfónico” [2007], and has toured all around Chile, among international shows in Qatar, and colaborations with musicians from Gambia, Etiopía, Rwanda, Ecuador y Australia.

Francisco, el Hombre (Brazil)
Presented by SIM Sao Paulo 

"We are the borders I have crossed", says the lyrics of the song named "Francisco, el Hombre", from the band of the same name, Francisco, el Hombre. The sentence is what best describes the group, formed by Mateo Piracés-Ugarte, Sebastianismos, Ju Strassacapa, Andrei Kozyreff and Helena Papini. That is so because the quintet finds their inspiration on the road. But not only there. The Portuguese-Spanish lyrics have made the band a fundamental piece for the cultural connection. Their live presentations make the Portuguese speaking audience sing in Spanish, and the Spanish speaking audience sing in Portuguese. The band believes there is no border that cannot be crossed. In a spectacle of rhythmic explosions, Francisco, el Hombre has performed more than 700 concerts in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Spain and Portugal, and was part of important festivals all over the word such as Rock in Rio, Lollapalooza and Vive Latino.

Gee Wunder (Canada)
Presented by CIMA

Gee Wunder (Greg Baptiste) is a music industry veteran and a motivational hip hop artist from Toronto. Gee grew up in an urban environment on Jane St. in the west end of the city, which sparked his interest in hip-hop music. Gee's first inroads into the music industry, as an artist, was through local community radio. Since debuting on commercial radio, in Toronto, in 2005 on Flow 93.5 and releasing his first full-length LP Street Knowledge in 2008 via URBNET Records, Gee has released an astounding TWENTY-NINE full length projects, in total, and has gone on to found his own successful independent label Motive Music Canada.

Over the years Gee has toured across Canada doing live shows in many provinces as well as shows in Europe and America. Gee has received financial support for his career via MuchFACT, CIMA, Factor and SOCAN Foundation. Gee has seen significant national radio play with commercial airplay in Toronto, Montreal & Winnipeg as well as over 50 Canadian College Chart appearances at 18 radio stations (info via www.earshot-online.com).

Golnar & Mahan Trio (Austria)
Presented by Global Toronto

Offering a masterful and fresh approach to the art of musical storytelling, Golnar & Mahan Trio draw together elements of contemporary jazz, middle east, and West African folk, poly-rhythmic grooves, Afro-Cuban and European chamber music to create original international music with roots in a shared heritage. Iranian-Canadian vocalist, composer, lyricist & multi-instrumentalist, Golnar Shahyar moved to Vienna in 2008 to pursue a musical career that has seen her collaborate with artists such as Erkan Ogur, Alain Perez, and the ORF Radio Symphonie Orchestra, amongst others. In 2011 she met Iranian-Austrian fretless guitarist and composer Mahan Mirarab, an internationally active interpreter of Persian music through the medium of jazz. Inseparable musical partners ever since, they confront the mainstream understanding of contemporary music and pursue their collective vision in the stunningly broad sound canvas of the Golnar & Mahan Trio, expertly and inventively complemented by master Austrian percussionist, Amir Wahba.

Hengelo (Poland)
Presented by Music Export Poland

Hengelo is polish project created from the combination of diverse experience of musicians, which style is characterized by the influence of music of the eighties, new wave, modern rock and broadly understood alternative. The musicians performed across different festivals in Europe and were invited for such events as e.g. International COP24 Climate Summit. Music of the band was quickly noticed and appreciated by the recipients of rock and alternative music and gained favorable opinions of professional critics, which among others resulted in getting official patronage of home city – Katowice(UNESCO City of Music). Hengelo’s songs quickly appeared on the air of polish national and commercial radio stations.
The group was chosen from 800 bands to perform at the Polish Woodstock Festival, and just a year after the release of their debut EP.
The band played with different famous Polish artists from variety styles, including rapper Miuosh or folk artists as Natalia Grosiak, which shows openness for musical experiments.
At the beginning of 2019, band had a nationwide concert tour with a famous polish band Happysad and released debut album “Try”, which was well receipt by polish media, among other polish well known music magazine “Teraz Rock”.
Currently band is working on a new material for the next album.

Huan Huan (Taiwan)
Presented by Lucfest

Huan Huan is an indie band from Taipei. Their music incorporates elements of folk / post-rock / shoegaze / dreampop. Trying to interpret things in a soft but resilient way. Singing for uncertainty; Making sounds for healing.

Janice (Perú)
Presented by Veltrac Music Management

JANICE is a songwriter, performer and rapper who fuses R&B Latin with Trap and Hip Hop combined with outstanding vocal work and solid rapping. Considered a benchmark of the new Latin trap in Perú, her presentation at the iconic Casa Parlante (Paloma Mami, Rels B, Duki, Cazzu) in Chile in 2018 went digitally viral and it was a turning point in her career. To date, she has shared the stage with international artists such as Rels B, Rauw Alejandro, Don Omar and Justin Quiles.

Krekhaus (Bulgaria)
Presented by Sofia International Music Conference

Krekhaus is a four-piece rock / punk band based in Bulgaria. The band just made its debut on the international showcase scene performing at Waves Vienna (Austria) and Norrkoping Music Days (Sweden) in September 2021 and the Mondo NYC festival in New York in October 2021. The band is also scheduled to perform at Future Echoes (Sweden) in February 2022.
Based in Sofia, Bulgaria the band developed its sound, experimenting with standard rock vocabulary borrowing influences from jazz, swing and the classics. Krekhaus have two releases - a 5-track EP "Odd One Out" (2018) and the 14-track LP "Gutenachtstraße" which came out the beginning of 2021. They are currently working on their next EP scheduled for 2022.

Kunle Ayo (South Africa)
Presented by ONGEA! Africa

Multi – Award winning Kunle Ayo, probably Africa’s most celebrated guitarists, has earned several
musical accolades, even comparisons with giants of the contemporary school like George Benson,
Earl Klugh and locally based Jimmy Dludlu.
► This dazzling live performer has 6 albums, Gospel projects and 2 Live DVD recordings shot in
South Africa and London respectively. For every show Kunle Ayo performs in, he leaves his fans
with positive energy and inspired.
► As one of the most sought after performers, Kunle Ayo has participated in a number of notable
jazz festivals, namely Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, Cape Town International Jazz Festival, National
Arts Festival, Grahamstown, Calabar Jazz Festival in Nigeria, Harare international festival of Arts
in Zimbabwe, Go-Jazz Festival at the Jazz Café, London, Safaricom Jazz Festival in Kenya to name
a few.

Limebócx (Vietnam)
Prsented by Monsoon Festival Vietnam

Limebócx started in August 2017 with the idea of blending Vietnamese traditional music (Ca Tru, Hat Xam, etc) with contemporary elements (electronic, groovy beats), bringing their own interpretation of traditional music into compositions.
Their music is a combination of traditional instrument (Dan Tranh), beatbox, electronic music, with the aim to bridge the gap between traditional and modern elements, as well as bringing fresh breath to Vietnamese traditional music.

Lions & Acrobats (Philippines)
Presented by Sonik Philippines

Lions and Acrobats is a six-piece alternative rock band based in Manila, Philippines. Formed in 2009, the band is composed of Jim Lopez, Jiggy Ilagan, Icoy Rapadas, Carlo Lava, Andrew Son, and Oteph Tumambing. They are managed by Red Ninja Production.

The band independently released two Eps: In Search of Bearings (2010) and Without Delay (2011). The former included their first unofficial single, ‘Hanging On a Cliff Named IV Drip’, that also became a part of their 2013 full-length record, Points & Perspectives. A remastered edition of their debut album came out in 2014.

Lions & Acrobats further established themselves and was featured on the locally hosted Fête de la Musique festival, the inaugral Jack Daniel’s Indie Fest, as well as Jameson’s St. Patrick’s Day Fest.

They started performing new singles ‘Cloud’ and ‘Orange’ in 2016, the former premiering on national radio to promote their self-produced 11-track sophomore LP, Mundane, which was released in 2017.

LU KALA (Canada)
Presented by Honey Jam Canada

Every once and a while an artist appears who is destined to break the mold, LU KALA
is one of them. The fiery voiced songstress—with signature vibrant orange hair to match—is redefining what a pop star sounds and looks like.

With over 3 million streams, LU KALA’s performed at festivals such as Manifesto, RBC Bluesfest, and on stages that include Girl Talk 2019, Canada’s Walk of Fame 20th anniversary gala, The Kali & Jorja Tour pre-show and The Basement Series: BET Weekend Kickoff.

Her debut EP, WORTHY, ventures into emotional places few dare to go. WORTHY is unflinching in its tales of personal, hard-earned love lessons. Romantic disillusionment, identity, and self-worth, all are laid bare with breathtaking, unapologetic honesty.

LU KALA, a body-positive and freedom of expression advocate, hopes WORTHY’s message will empower others to own their own voices, literally and figuratively.

LXMP (Poland)
Presented by Music Export  Poland

LXMP is a duo that probably should be a trio or a quartet but it's more fun with just two people. Founded in 2009 by Piotr Zabrodzki and Macio Moretti out of their shared love for Korg MS-20 and hate for cilantro, LXMP released 6 albums (and one cassette) as a duo or with guest musicians (Chad Popple, Kazuhisa Uchihashi, Tabata Mitsuru, Clayton Thomas). They toured Europe, US, Brazil and played a 2-minute-long gig in Tokyo. Their latest karate moves were: thrilling singel with Dan "Chewy" Mongrain from Voivod, releasing a 7" split with Deerhoof, collaborating with Hamburg based trio plastiq and joining death metal masters Decapitated on their Acid Drinkers cover.

Piotr Zabrodzki synths & Macio Moretti drums, bass synth, sampler

Maple & Rye (Sweden)
Presented by Future Echoes

Maple & Rye is fronted by two strong lead singers and their focus is sensitive storytelling in a mix of a broad palette from blues and funk to rock and folk-pop. They have attracted attention as a strong live act with sold out concerts, had millions of streams on their self-released earlier material and recently signed with the Swedish indie label Icons Creating Evil Art.

Miguel Guerrero (Perú)
Presented by Veltrac Music Management

Miguel Guerrero is a Peruvian artist and composer who was co-founder and one of the musical brains of the group M2H with whom he had a leading role and notoriety, becoming one of the most important Peruvian Hip Hop groups with good international projection. In August 2020 he decided to start his solo career and release his first album entitled "A Veces Es bueno Estar Triste" with which he formally began his solo career using genres such as Lo-Fi, alternative, Pop and Hip Hop.

Mint Simon (Canada)
Presented by What's The Story?

Mint Simon is the brainchild of Caveboy front person Michelle Bensimon. Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Mint is a theatre kid, turned band lead, turned pop star living somewhere on the gender spectrum between Cher and Prince. This debut solo project sees Mint’s new musical romance unfolding, and their soul spilling out. The new music is a sonic and lyrical exploration on love, missed opportunities, desire and sexual liberation.

Mint has collaborated with & been a part of many different projects but has never fully explored their own personal musical journey in a public way until now. Leather, pleather, shimmer n glimmer - they are unapologetically queer - a pop prince tapping into their 80s and 90s influences with this new music. The time has come for Mint Simon to be unabashedly themselves and explore their own music and identity with zero restrictions.

Mirante (Brazil)
Presented by Music Pro Awards

Banda Mirante began its trajectory, with this lineup and formation, in November 2019.
Bruna Torre: (lead)Vocalist and composer has always been surrounded by music.
Daughter of drummer Denis Torre and opera singer Janette Dornellas.
Khalil Lessa: (second/backup) vocalist, composer and rythm guitarist. He has played for 10 years under the influence of family members.
Geo Lima: Guitarist and songwriter, he joined the band adding his British rock influences to guitars.
Pedro Rabelo: Responsible for the bass and compositions. Has experience of participating in bands in Brasilia.
Regnaldo Neto: Drummer as he's known to people, he came to add with defined grooves and 15 years of stage experience.
Today the band distributes their singles through GRV productions with the production of Bruno Wambier and has four songs on over 100 digital platforms: Pequena, Flor, Importância and Se Eu Pudesse.

NEFE (Canada)
Presented by Honey Jam Canada

PIQSIQ (Canada)
Presented by Global Toronto

With a style perpetually galvanized by darkness and haunting northern beauty, sisters, Tiffany Ayalik and Inuksuk Mackay, come together to create Inuit style throat singing duo, PIQSIQ. Performing ancient traditional songs and eerie new compositions, they leave their listeners enthralled with the infinity of possible answers to the question “what is the meaning of life.” With roots in Nunavut, the two grew up in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. After years of forging hard won skill, they developed their own form blended with haunting melodies and otherworldly sounds. Approaching adulthood, they realized throat singing was not only a musical expression, but a radical, political act of cultural revitalization. As PIQSIQ, they have recorded three studio albums and perform improvisational looping live, creating a dynamic audience experience that changes with every show. 

Romero Ferro (Brazil)
Presented by SIM SÃO PAULO

Romero Ferro is the new Brazilian pop artist who connects tropical music elements to the iconic tones of the 80s. His latest album has already added over 12 million plays on digital platforms, and has hits like “Pra Te Conquistar” (TOP 50 Viral Spotify BR), "Verdadeiro Amor", "Love Por Você" (feat Luiz Caldas), and "Corpo Em Brasa" (feat Duda Beat).

Romero FERRO competed for the BRAZILIAN MUSIC AWARD in 2017. He participated in special articles in Revista VEJA and newspaper O Globo. It received excellent reviews from the main national critics. He participated in important festivals such as Cocktail MOLOTOV/PE, CONVIDA/DF, MADA/RN, Bananada/GO, RecBeat/PE, and SIM SP/SP. In 2020, his electric trio at Galo da Madrugada (largest carnival block in the world), had the presence of Pabllo Vittar. In 2021, he released the singles "E Se Não Era Amor", "Desapega" and "Chega Perto".

SATE (Canada)

The Toronto vocalist and songwriter leads a dynamic band combining blistering hard rock with gritty blues. The empowering messages embedded in her music, and her soul-shaking live show, have quickly built SATE’s reputation as an artist impossible to ignore. Take it from MusicforLunch.com: Her music leaves you exhausted but leaves a fire burning in your soul that wasn’t there before.

Softcult (Canada)
Presented by City of Toronto

"Meet the band inspiring a Riot Grrrl movement for the age of social media" (GIGWISE Magazine UK April 2021).

Softcult is an alternative indie-rock duo comprised of twin sisters Mercedes Arn-Horn (vocals, guitar) and Phoenix Arn-Horn (vocals, drums) from Kitchener, Canada.

Softcult is a band with a message. PRO: feminism, social activism, creative freedom, self-empowerment, gender neutrality. ANTI: sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, patriarchy.

Signed to UK based label Easy Life Records, Softcult are quickly gaining fans across the world since the release of their debut EP, 'Year Of The Rat', in January 2021. Their second EP, 'Year Of The Snake', is set for release February 4, 2022.

Tallies (Canada)

“Tallies have a jangly sound that at times recalls The Smiths, The Sundays and other ’80s alt bands, but singer Sarah Cogan’s smoky vocals pull things into other territory” – BROOKLYN VEGAN

“While they’re still in their relative infancy, you might want to get out and see them live, so you can say “I saw them when…” – THE 405

TALLIES navigate an unfamiliar world on their confident self-titled debut album, which blends elements of shoegaze, dream pop, and surf rock into a fresh sound that’s all their own. The band was founded by singer and rhythm guitarist Sarah Cogan and lead guitarist Dylan Frankland, a couple who met in a sound engineering class. The band has toured all over the USA, Europe, and Canada. Tallies spent 2020 writing and recording their second album and can’t wait to be out playing live music again.

The Magnettes (Sweden)
Presented by Future Echoes

The Magnettes hail from Pajala, Sweden and have toured in 19 countries including performances at SXSW, Summerfest, Golden Melody Awards, Eurosonic and Tallinn Music Week

Their debut album ”Ugly Youth” dropped in 2017 and featured the singles ”Sad Girls Club” (featured on Netflix’s ”Elite”), as well as ”Young And Wild”, one of the top-ten most played Swedish tracks on national radio that year. Their single ”American” remained in steady radio rotation throughout 2020, and they spent the pandemic performing digital showcases like Mu:Con (South Korea) and CRANC Festival (Spain).

As of 2021 they’re signed to K51, with ”Monster” being the first joint release. The feature-length documentary ”The Magnettes” will be viewed at Umeå Europeiska Filmfestival Nov 24th-28th.

The Prussians (Spain)
Presented by Fira B

The Prussians are a 5-piece band from Mallorca. Made in Spain yet with a clear international flair. Their 3rd album “Mantra” came out on the 12th February this year and transports us to a more soulful and electronic groove vibe. Following their first EP ‘The Hills’ (2013), debut album ‘Mul Mul’ (2014) and EP ‘Kerala’ (2016), their last album "Karma" launched in 2018, the band evolves their sound constantly with different sounds and melodies. The band has performed at the main festivals and venues in Spain as well as performing in 2018 in Sweden and a mini tour of the USA in 2019, including a slot at the prestigious "Summerfest". On the agenda for 2022 are shows in Spain, Germany tour, Future Echoes, Sweden and hopefully Canada. For fans of Crooked Colours, Balthazar and Glass Animals you are in for a treat.

The Unsleeping (Ukraine)
Presented by Music Export Ukraine

The Unsleeping is a Kyiv indie-rock band founded in a provincial town with close to no music scene back in 2013. Since then, the guys have released two EPs as well as a live video, Fire Of Red, which helped the essentially unknown band to be selected for Sziget Festival in 2019, surpassing famous local artists. The Unsleeping simply cannot be ignored, due to their extremely energetic, passionate and dramatic performances, spiced with a dash of craziness. That’s why the band was immediately picked up by major Ukrainian festivals and praised by audiences. Currently, The Unsleeping are continuing to tour and release new material, while making plans to win over European listeners, too.

Tiny Giant (Vietnam)
Prsented by Monsoon Festival Vietnam

Tiny Giant is a Hanoi-based live music duo featuring the deep vocal musings of LinhHafornow and the electronic sounds of tomes. Through digital manipulation of organic elements, the band blends traditional tonality with contemporary sonic environments.

The duo formed in 2018 and has toured internationally in Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, Europe, and Australia. They have performed at festivals around Asia, including Wonderfruit, LUCfest, Jai Thep, Vibe Nation and Quest. Tiny Giant crafted their first EP 'Flying Mouse' in 2019, blending soaring lead vocals backed by shimmering swells of looped harmonies, underpinned by smooth analog synthesis, and deep downtempo rhythms. The lyrical themes reach into Linh Ha's Vietnamese cultural heritage, and the duo's sincere connection with nature and its role in our lives.

They continue to experiment and forge new boundaries with their sonic creations, combining costumes and energetic, interactive performance elements to motivate, move, and create unique memories with audiences.

Troy Kingi (New Zealand)
Independent Music New Zealand

Based in Kerikeri, Troy Kingi is an actor, musician and father of 5, who wears many hats. He acted in the role of TK in Taika Waititi's Hunt for the Wilderpeople and won the APRA Silver Scroll Maioha Award in 2015 for his song with Stan Walker, Aotearoa. Troy is undertaking a personal music odyssey creating 10 albums in 10 Genres in 10 years, with his releases gaining significant critical acclaim. On top of this project Troy’s relentless creativity has found him cowriting and contributing on numerous musical collaborations, his output is staggering.

TRP.P (Canada)
Presented by City of Toronto

Phoenix and Truss, dually known as TRP.P (pronounced “trippy”) are an R&B duo from Toronto, Canada. Although the two have extensive solo careers, they began their collaborative journey in 2017 with their debut self-titled EP.

TRP.P has had the pleasure of opening for many popular artists, including Mumu Fresh and Charlotte Cardin. In 2018, TRP.P opened for R&B superstar Kehlani at Toronto Pride, one of the many highlights in their rapidly ascending career. TRP.P would go on to perform at such festivals as House of PainT, POP! Montreal, Kazoo! Fest and Toronto-based festivals such as Wavelength and Venus Fest. In September 2019, TRP.P released their sophomore album, 2TRP.P, which received recognition from radio stations and media outlets around the world, including The Fader, Exclaim, Earmilk, Now Magazine, SoulFM (UK), and Daily Xtra.

TRP.P was recently added to the Paquin Artists Agency roster, which books artists such as K’NAAN, Buffy Sainte-Marie and The Strumbellas.

Your Woman Sleep With Others (Taiwan)
Presented by Golden Melody Awards

"Your Woman Sleep With Others" is a five-member indie-folk rock band from Taipei, Taiwan formed in 2015. The members are Chang (Lead vocal and guitar), Tung (Guitar), Feng (Drum), Shao (Cello) and Liao (Bass). In 2017, Your Woman Sleep With Others released an EP titled "Wu Shi Yo Wu Er Zhi Yu Xue". The band's EP ranked first in Taiwanese indie music streaming service StreetVoice and Spotify charts, and rapidly soared up to 2 million views on YouTube within three months. The band then released their Debut album "Examine Myself Three Times a Day"at 2019, and has gone on several tours throughout the years. Mainly focusing on telling stories as a more narrative character, the band has made people think deep about lives, and its concise and comprehensive lyrics has deeply rooted into listeners' minds.
"Your Woman Sleep With Others" is also a young, award-winning band, that reminds you of The Waterboys and Arcade Fire. Through their lyrics, they share a bloody and ironic truth about education system in Taiwan and graduates in despair.