Venezuelan-Canadian singer-songwriter JACE Carrillo is one you’ll want to know.

 

With the JUNOs introducing a Latin category for the first time this year, all eyes are turning to the artists shaping Canada’s Latin music scene, and Venezuelan-Canadian singer-songwriter JACE Carrillo is one you’ll want to know.

A completely independent artist who has already amassed over 3 million streams, JACE topped Montreal’s The Beat 92.5FM with his single “Eclipse” (holding the #1 spot and a 25-week Top 5 run), landed on Canada’s Top 100 Shazam charts, and has performed on Canada's largest Latin stage at Fuego Fuego, in addition to appearances at NXNE, Pop Montreal, and Mundial Montreal. With international recognition from Billboard, CBC, CTV, Global, Televisa MX, and more in addition to multiple award wins, JACE is quickly becoming a force redefining Latin pop in Canada.

Now, with his most personal single “EL DÍA” (out October 8), JACE channels resilience, balance, and renewal through a sound that fuses Latin rhythms, Afrobeat, R&B, and even gospel into an ambitious release that’s already being called his boldest work yet.

JACE, he’s an artist with international credentials, a strong Canadian story, and undeniable momentum at a time when Latin music is finally being recognized on the national stage. 

Chart Topping Venezuelan-Canadian Artist, JACE Carrillo, Channels Resilience and Renewal on New Single “EL DÍA”

Following commercial radio success and international festival appearances, the award-winning singer-songwriter returns with his most vulnerable and ambitious work to date.

Release Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Montreal-based singer-songwriter and producer JACE Carrillo is entering a bold new chapter with the release of his single “EL DÍA”, a song that channels perseverance, balance, and clarity after life’s storms. Born in Venezuela before later embracing Canadian citizenship, Carrillo’s journey from a gospel choir as a teenager to award-winning artist has been marked by resilience and reinvention. Known for fusing Latin rhythms with North American pop and R&B, his music reflects both vulnerability and strength, a relatable duality that launched his breakout single “Eclipse” to #1 on Montreal’s The Beat 92.5FM, remaining in the Top 5 for over 25 weeks. A completely independent artist, he later became a fixture on Canada’s Top 100 Shazam charts, Carrillo has amassed over 3 million streams to date, performed at the largest Latin music festival in Montreal - “Fuego, Fuego”, and has been awarded multiple accolades including the  Pepsi Music Award, Symphonic Latino Distribution Award, and Latin Awards Canada. 

On his latest single, “EL DÍA”, Carrillo embraces the vulnerability of sharing recent challenges by pairing healing and introspective lyricism with rhythms designed to inspire movement, redefining what Latin pop can mean in today’s global soundscape. A key player in the evolving Latin music landscape in Canada, Carrillo’s forthcoming album, set for release in 2026, promises to solidify this next era as his most vulnerable and ambitious yet.

“EL DÍA” will be available everywhere on Wednesday, October 8 2025.

About "EL DÍA":

Melodic, moving, and soulful, JACE Carrillo’s “EL DÍA” is a vulnerable anthem born from struggle, but fueled by hope. Written during a period of profound personal transformation which included marriage, fatherhood, health challenges, and the pursuit of his long-awaited artistic breakthrough, the song reflects Carrillo’s recent journey through uncertainty into light. Beginning with only vocals atop a cinematic soundscape, the inspirational track grows into a rhythmic, textured, and percussive anthem, incorporating Latin pop with Afrobeat rhythms and R&B influences. Returning to his earliest musical roots, “EL DÍA” closes with a gospel choir - a style of music Carrillo practised during his youth in Venezuela. Co-produced by Carrillo and his longtime collaborator, Alyko, the track balances introspection with movement, inviting listeners to reflect, heal, and dance all at once. Intentionally aligning the song’s energy with his breakout 2023 single “Eclipse”, Carrillo continues to carve his path as a healing voice in Latin pop, a voice unafraid to be vulnerable and unrestricted by genre norms. “El Día” marks both a personal triumph and a universal message: after the storm comes the clarity, and with it, the courage to move forward into the day you’ve been waiting for.

Quote: ““EL DÍA’ is about finding clarity after the storm. It’s the moment when, after years of struggle and uncertainty, you finally see the light and realize you made it through. It’s my story of perseverance, healing, and reaching the day I’d been waiting for. In my personal case, the day I saw my daughter” - JACE Carrillo

Born in Venezuela and now based in Montreal, JACE Carrillo is a Latin pop force redefining borders with his vibrant fusion of Spanish vocals and contemporary pop, R&B, and urban sounds. Influenced by icons like Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, and Luis Fonsi, JACE has built a sound that is as global as it is personal. His breakout single “Eclipse” dominated Montreal’s The Beat 92.5fm Top 5 for over 25 weeks, earned a spot on Canada’s Top 100 Shazam Charts, and cemented his reputation as one of Canada’s most exciting bilingual voices. With coverage in Billboard, CBC, CTV, Global, Televisa MX, and more, JACE continues to cut through on both national and international stages.

An award-winning artist with over 3.2 million streams, JACE’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. He has won the Pepsi Music Award (Venezuela), Symphonic Latino Award (U.S.), and Latin Awards Canada, while also being recognized by the International Songwriting Competition and Unsigned Only. A standout live performer, JACE has electrified audiences at NXNE, Pop Montreal, Mundial Montreal, Il Mondo NYC, Canadian Music Week, Nuits d’Afrique, and Canada’s largest Latin music festival, Fuego Fuego. Recent highlights include a tour across Florida, debut in Mexico at Fiesta de la Música, and his participation in the RBCxMusic First Up program. With plans to release his third studio album in 2026, JACE is continuing to evolve as an artist with new music set for release throughout the remainder of 2025 and into 2026.

Connect with JACE Carrillo:

https://jacecarrillo.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JACECarrillomusic/

https://www.instagram.com/jacecarrillo/

 https://www.youtube.com/@jacecarrillo
 https://open.spotify.com/artist/3SkH0TcPc8cxGospxnjClx?si=w-Ui2HF1QYG_OrT3BDrqmw&nd=1&dlsi=84ad50adc8c94c00

https://www.tiktok.com/@jacecarrillo

Canadian singer-songwriter Rachel Cousins has just announced her third studio album, What Hasn’t Killed Me (out October 10) via Scilly Cove Records.

 

Teaming up with GRAMMY-winning producer Greg Wells (Taylor Swift, John Legend, Wicked), Rachel delivers her most vulnerable and ambitious work yet with a raw, coming-of-age project that blends confessional storytelling with cinematic soundscapes.

With six MusicNL Awards and three nominations this year, multiple East Coast Music Award nominations, national TV appearances, and over 600,000 streams to date, Rachel has established herself as one of Atlantic Canada’s most exciting rising voices. 

Canadian Singer-Songwriter Rachel Cousins Redefines Her Sound with Intimate Coming-of-Age Album What Hasn’t Killed Me

The 6x MusicNL Award teams up with GRAMMY-winning producer Greg Wells to deliver her most honest, vulnerable and ambitious work to date.

Featured on SiriusXM, CTV, and more!

Release Date: Friday, October 10 2025

St. John’s, NL – September 22 2025 - Canadian Adult Contemporary artist, Rachel Cousins, has announced the release of her third studio album, “What Hasn’t Killed Me”, set for release on Friday, October 10 2025

Bravely redefining her sound, Canadian singer-songwriter Rachel Cousins steps into new artistic territory with her third studio album, What Hasn’t Killed Me. Known for her soaring vocals and radio-ready Pop anthems, Cousins makes a notable and deliberate break from the mathematical precision of Pop music to embrace the vulnerability and freedom of the expansive world of Adult Contemporary, a genre that allows the flexibility to mirror her innermost truths. A raw and reflective coming-of-age project, What Hasn’t Killed Me captures the turbulence, clarity, and unexpected grace of growing into adulthood. Across nine tracks, Cousins threads together the intimacy of Folk, grit of Alternative soundscapes, and her Pop instincts to create a sonic landscape as layered and human as the stories it holds.

With six MusicNL wins, two East Coast Music Award nominations, and a Top 10 finish in CBC’s Searchlight competition, Rachel Cousins is widely regarded as one of Atlantic Canada’s brightest rising voices. Her music has been streamed more than 600,000 times and has appeared in popular television series including Wynonna Earp, Hudson & Rex, and The Wedding Planners. She has opened for GRAMMY Award winning artist, K’NAAN, and has shared the stage with numerous Canadian icons, including Alan Doyle, Serena Ryder, and the Beaches. Beyond national television appearances and coast to coast radio airplay, Cousins’ openness about her journey of personal development has earned her trust as an artist who speaks directly to her generation, sharing candidly about mental health, addiction, and resilience, in her music and in classrooms and communities across Newfoundland.

Masterfully navigating the complicated and contradictory feelings of early adulthood, What Hasn’t Killed Me strikes an unforgettable balance of confessional storytelling with the trusted guidance of a best friend. Leaning into vulnerability and into the shame, doubt, and small victories that come with personal evolution, the album traverses topics of mental health, addiction and recovery, young love, friendship, and the small, stubborn steps toward self-acceptance. Created in partnership with GRAMMY Award winning producer Greg Wells (Taylor Swift, John Legend, Wicked) their collaborative relationship offered a creative breakthrough for Cousins, with Wells urging her to set down the formulas of Pop and return to the unguarded space where songs first begin. “Songs started pouring out of me. What used to take days came in under an hour. For the first time in years, I felt free. Greg saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself.” With the warmth and familiarity of sharing experiences with a friend, What Hasn’t Killed Me blends the intimacy of confessional storytelling with the weightlessness of cathartic release.

On her soul-stirring focus track “Little Help”, Cousins delivers a powerful message about the courage it takes to put pride aside and ask for support. Built on a raw blend of guitar and heartfelt vocals, “Little Help” guides the listener through an honest and deeply personal journey of the appeal of presenting as though one ‘has it all together’ while internally struggling. Co-written with close friend and musician, Darcy Scott, the track came together naturally, shaped by authentic encouragement and trust between friends. 

Offering a glimpse into the emotional breadth of the project, four previously released singles highlight the album’s fearless creativity and piercing relatability. An ode to deep-rooted friendships, the first single “Nora” is a love letter to the people who never leave, paired with the wish they could see themselves as brightly as others do. This is followed by the paralyzing fear of letting herself and others down on “To Fail,” and the strength, love, and generational bonds of womanhood on “As A Girl.” Album closer “Standing Still”, is both a direct plea to someone else and a mirror held up to Cousins herself. Frustrated yet yearning, it urges bravery to let go of fear and step fully into life. With its vulnerable lyricism and expansive production the track is a natural bookend to the project, serving as a final, unflinching reminder that growth only comes with the courage to be true to oneself.

With What Hasn’t Killed Me, Rachel Cousins emerges with a body of work that embraces the beauty and bruises that come with growing up, courageously open about the messy parts of becoming. Each track offers the feeling of a conversation late at night with a trusted loved one, carrying the sting of hard truths and the comfort of knowing others understand. Rooted in vulnerability, resilience, and connection, the album journeys through the heartbreaks, the revelations, and the quiet victories that shape life. In allowing herself to be fully seen, Rachel Cousins offers listeners the same permission, delivering an autobiographical yet universal record that is as cathartic as it is unforgettable.

Upcoming Shows

September 27 2025 - St. John’s, NL - Music Day in Canada Performance - The Ship - Tickets

October 17 2025 - St. John’s, NL - Album Release Party 

November 25 & 26 2025 - Toronto, ON - Come Together Showcase

"What Hasn’t Killed Me" will be available everywhere on October 10 2025

Connect with Rachel Cousins:

 https://www.rachelcousinsmusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rachelcousinsmusic 

https://www.instagram.com/rachelcousinsmusic/#

https://www.youtube.com/@rachelcousins3750

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7DpXoKZYGVplF7otoL4gnY?si=fHS_dBliQAirJgT_lkHcpw&nd=1&dlsi=4b2cfe6ac8a84e6a

https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelcousinsmusic

  

AV & The Inner City represent the best of Canadian artistr

 

AV & The Inner City, the all-female, diverse vocal group born in Edmonton’s inner city during the pandemic, has announced their self-titled debut EP (out October 3, 2025). Their story is uniquely Canadian, rooted in community, resilience, and the power of togetherness. What began on the front porch of AV’s home, where neighbours gathered weekly to hear her perform, has since grown into an award-winning act.

Led by internationally recognized artist AV (Ann Vriend), the diverse Roots/Soul collective has quickly become one of Canada’s most exciting emerging acts:

• Winners of the 2023 Edmonton Folk Festival Emerging Artist Award
• Featured in Porter Airlines’ in-flight magazine
• National airplay on CBC and radio stations across Canada
• 20,000+ Spotify streams in their first three months

From Edmonton’s inner city to national airwaves, AV & The Inner City represent the best of Canadian artistry: authentic, diverse voices coming together to create something bigger than themselves.

AV & The Inner City Announce Self-Titled Debut EP: A Soulful Testament to Resilience, Community, and Collective Voice

Formed on AV’s front porch in Edmonton’s inner city, Canada’s most unique, all-female vocal ensemble delivers their powerful first body of work, rooted in shared struggle, hope, and harmony

“Soul and gospel singing ruled… This was an act that could have closed the Main Stage any night.” – Vic Bell, Calgary Folk Festival

“AV & The Inner City are more than a vocal group — they’re a movement. A mirror to the times. A celebration of what happens when voices from all walks of life come together to sing not just in harmony, but with purpose.” - Stevie Connor, The Sound Cafe

Featured in Porter Airlines Magazine, SiriusXM, CKUA, more!

Release Date: Friday, October 3 2025

Edmonton, AB – September 23 2025 - Award-winning Canadian vocal group AV & The Inner City are set to release their highly anticipated, self-titled debut EP on Friday, October 3 2025.

Formed during the height of the pandemic on the front porch of bandleader AV (Ann Vriend)’s home, AV & The Inner City evolved over the course of 60 weekly grassroots community singalongs into an award-winning, all-female vocal powerhouse group. Blending Soul, Roots, Blues, and non-religious Gospel, the vocalists came together in Edmonton’s inner city neighbourhood of McCauley – an area often defined by poverty and addiction - which soon transformed into a weekly beacon of connection and hope. Reflecting a mosaic of Canadian diversity and talent, the members of AV & The Inner City include Laurelle K, Mira Angela, Crystal Eyo, Alenka Lundell, Jenn Dahlen, and AV, along with former members Johwanna Alleyne and Debbie Houle. Combined, the group comes from Indigenous, Black, Filipino, LGBTQ, immigrant, and working-class backgrounds, uniting organically over their shared love of singing and community. Together, they deliver soaring harmonies and emotionally charged performances which embrace themes of belonging, resilience, struggles of injustice, and the courage to face adversity, topics deeply woven into the group’s very formation.

Even before releasing a single track AV & the Inner City were captivating audiences across Alberta. They earned an Emerging Artist Award at the 2023 Edmonton Folk Music Festival, and the media quickly took notice; with features on CBC Radio, SiriusXM, CKUA, The Edmonton Journal, Edify, and Porter Airlines’ Re:Porter Magazine. Their music has since collected tens of thousands of streams, while their live shows continue to build their reputation. Known for their commanding stage presence, the group has earned high praise from industry veterans, with former Nickelodeon promoter Vic Bell declaring: “Soul and gospel singing ruled… This was an act that could have closed the Main Stage any night.” Their recordings have also received strong national support, including CBC’s Marvin’s Room and Saturday Night Blues, alongside features in interviews and podcasts across the country.

Two years in the making, the group’s self-titled, six-track debut EP, AV & The Inner City, represents both a culmination and a beginning: the first official release since their unplanned formation. “This was never supposed to last beyond one summer porch concert series,” shares band leader AV. “But it gave us hope, and audiences said it gave them hope, too. These songs are about the communities we come from - the stigma, addiction, racism, classism, sexism - but they are also about joy, catharsis, and the contagious energy of singing together.” Exploring themes of struggle, social justice, and healing, the debut EP from AV & The Inner City captures the spirit of a group born from community connection that continues to thrive on it.

Combining intricate harmonies, raw lyrical honesty, and stripped-back arrangements, AV & The Inner City’s debut EP offers music that is deeply personal, yet profoundly communal. By centering stories of resilience and struggle while simultaneously celebrating catharsis and joy the project is as relatable as it is aspirational. 

The EP’s focus track, “Runnin’ Outta Places”, delivers a clever social critique of displacement, inequality, and capitalism’s endless pursuit of growth. Sparse yet relentless, its acapella-driven chorus recalls playful playground chants against gritty hip hop street beats, with a lush bridge that climaxes in a grand catharsis.

Showcasing the vocal group’s expansive creativity and skillful lyricism, the four previously released singles shine on their own, yet interlock seamlessly to form a unified statement. “Low & Lowly”, the group’s debut single, is a hymn-like, non-religious Soul/Roots ballad about embracing life’s highs and lows, offering both solace and celebration. An upbeat love song to music, “Music Always” pays homage to the power of music and its ability to transcend language. With an irresistible groove and soaring harmonies, “Lion at the Gate” is a bold anthem of courage in the face of intimidating obstacles; followed by “The Failer”; a marching dirge-like anthemic exploration of the human need for certainty, and the strength it takes to live with nuance, imperfection, and doubt.

From a modest neighbourhood gathering to a nationally recognized vocal group, AV & The Inner City has grown into a powerful ensemble, whose music transcends both genre and circumstance. In an era when much of the industry chases speed and trends they stand apart as something rare and vital, proving that authenticity and unity can rise above stigma, and can create something extraordinary. Their debut crystallizes years of relentless work, grassroots connection, and fearless honesty, with voices that carry the weight of real lives lived, and the resilience of communities too often overlooked. Yet woven through their harmonies is an undeniable joy and generosity, a reminder of why music matters: to connect, to comfort, to inspire, and to heal. With AV & The Inner City, the group delivers an urgent and unforgettable statement that redefines what it means to make music from the ground up, culminating in a landmark debut from one of the most vital new forces in Canadian Roots and Soul.

Upcoming Shows:

October 5, 2025 - Edmonton, AB - Porch Concert Series Finale

October 11, 2025 - Nanton, AB - Mosquito Creek Music Fall Concert Series

October 17, 2025 - Lethbridge, AB - Owl Acoustic Lounge

October 18, 2025 - Calgary, AB - Bow Valley Folk Club

"AV & The Inner City" will be available everywhere on October 3 2025

Connect with AV & The Inner City:

https://annvriend.com/pages/av-and-the-inner-city-1

 

https://www.instagram.com/avinnercity/?hl=en

 

https://www.facebook.com/p/AV-The-Inner-City-100094092821676/?paipv=0&eav=AfaCDaHeWLDauO4eYeypLsgMNLZAZrhjkGGDSHYDX-SGCHTF_o5tU3zxqp12N0sqvaQ&_rdr

 

https://www.youtube.com/@AVandTheInnerCity?app=desktop

 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5UBKW4TzZRZO2bWuLtD2sb

Celebrated JUNO Nominated Canadian Singer-Songwriter, Desiree Dorion, Self-Produces Newest Single “Let Them”, Announces Eighth Studio Album

  

Celebrated JUNO Nominated Canadian Singer-Songwriter, Desiree Dorion, Self-Produces Newest Single “Let Them”, Announces Eighth Studio Album.

JUNO-nominated Country/Roots singer-songwriter, Desiree Dorion, is stepping into a fearless new chapter with the release of her first-ever self-produced single, “Let Them,” released on September 12, 2025. 

Just last week, Dorion received a whopping FIVE nominations from the Manitoba Country Music Awards!

Dorion has been featured on eTalk, SiriusXM, CTV, and Global, and reached the Top 100 on the Canadian Country Music Charts. She's a 4x Manitoba Country Music Award winner, in addition to being an ambassador for the Downie Wenjack Foundation and former host of the Canadian Country Music Association's Achimotak series.

Now, with her eighth studio album set for release in early 2026, Dorion is breaking new ground behind the console, joining an estimated 5.9% of female producers in the industry today.

Listen: Let Them  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sPs4QTmmz4
Released: Friday, September 12 2025

JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter Desiree Dorion is stepping into a fearless new era with the release of her self-produced single “Let Them,” the first glimpse of her forthcoming eighth studio album. Known for weaving Americana-Roots and Country into her sound, the 4x Manitoba Country Music Award winner is now expanding her artistry with a raw and genre-defying edge, reflecting resilience, strength, and personal uprising. With “Let Them,” Dorion challenges herself as an artist to deliver her first self-produced track, joining the small but growing number of women behind the console, a group estimated to make up 5.9% of producers in the industry today (USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, 2024). Dorion’s new album is slated for release in early 2026 and marks a notable evolution for Dorion, one that underscores her relentless drive to grow personally and professionally alongside her ability to balance her artistry with her roles as a mother, lawyer, advocate, and mentor.

Beyond music, Dorion is widely recognized for her advocacy and leadership. She serves as an ambassador for the Downie Wenjack Foundation, sits on the board of the Indigenous Music Office, and routinely mentors emerging artists, consistently spotlighting Indigenous voices within the industry.

With raw vocals and a gritty guitar edge, “Let Them” channels the inner power it takes to walk away from negativity and the courageous strength in letting go. “Let Them” will be available on Friday, September 12, 2025.

About "Let Them":

Driving and gritty, “Let Them” is a powerful statement of leaving negative situations behind and staying true to oneself. Born from personal and professional challenges with industry success, the song is a message to remove oneself from negative energies, and allow others to continue on their own path. Co-written with Canadian Country Music Award Nominee, Jesse Slack, in Nashville, TN, Let Them was inspired by the Rockabilly sound of Paul Cauthen, and uses Dorion’s lower register as she compels listeners to let situations go and move along. Intentionally crafting every detail of the sound, the artist-turned-producer layered baritone guitars to achieve the perfect swampy tone. In a powerful display of her commitment to equity and inclusivity, Dorion ensured that 67% of her band members are Indigenous including musicians Michel Bruyere on drums and Leroy Constant on bass, reflecting her core belief in spotlighting Indigenous musical talent wherever she can. She also actively seeks to hire more women, setting a tangible example for the music industry.

Quote: “‘Let Them” is a song about knowing the power that each of us holds within ourselves. Understanding that the only person we can control is ourselves. And the power of walking away from someone’s negativity, focusing inward and just letting them be.”- Desiree Dorion

Desiree Dorion Live:

Aug. 29 - Stomperfest - Kinnesota, MB

Sept 18 - Reeperbahn, Germany

Sept 20 - Winkler, MB

Sept 27 -  Sioux Narrows, ON

October 11 - Churchill, MB

Desiree Dorion Biography

Desiree Dorion grew up a mile and a half from the grounds of Dauphin's Countryfest - the longest country music festival in Canada. As a little girl, she would ride her bike to the festival site, when it wasn't on, climb up onto the stage, and pretend to play to thousands of fans that come to watch big country music acts. In 2014, her dream of playing the MainStage came true when she shared the stage with The Band Perry.

The JUNO Nominee has had multiple songs chart in the Top 100 on the Canadian Country music charts, along with numerous songs reaching the top spot on the Indigenous Music Countdown. She released her seventh studio album, "Remember Your Name," on September 20th, 2024, which peaked at #9 on iTunes Canada in its first week of release and has amassed over 100,000 global streams to date. The album also charted in the Top 10 on the national Earshot charts across all genres and #3 in the folk/roots/blues category. Desiree is a proud member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation. She serves as a Board member of the Indigenous Music Office and is an artist ambassador for the Donnie Wenjack Foundation.

Connect with Desiree Dorion:

https://www.desireedorion.com/

 

https://www.facebook.com/desdorion/

 

https://www.instagram.com/desireedorion/

 

https://www.youtube.com/desireedorion

 

 https://open.spotify.com/artist/55UmkurlIybCNAvlPQGY7l?si=2iCUxTSSQcOInlZQn7geIg&nd=1&dlsi=7f216d442b594cd3

 

https://www.tiktok.com/@thedesireedorion