The Wire Megazine Concert Blog: Decorated JUNO Nominated Canadian Singer-Songwriter, Desiree Dorion, Courageously Embraces Transformation and Self Trust on Seventh Studio Album, “Remember Your Name”

JUNO nominated artist, Desiree Dorion, has received yet another Manitoba Country Music Award - this time in the Female Artist of The Year category!

Desiree is gearing up to release her brand new, seventh studio album on Friday, September 20th. The press release for the project is below.

A mother, lawyer, and dedicated advocate for the Indigenous community, Desiree has contributed her expertise to a range of community-focused initiatives. In collaboration with the Canadian Country Music Association, she hosted the Indigenous-focused Achimotak series and currently serves as an ambassador for the Downie Wenjack Foundation.

Decorated Canadian Singer-Songwriter, Desiree Dorion, Courageously Embraces Transformation and Self Trust on Seventh Studio Album, “Remember Your Name”

As she journeys into the Roots/Americana genre, the JUNO nominated artist unleashes a musical treasure trove of vulnerability, authenticity, and change across six powerful songs

“Desiree has a beautiful, powerful… voice and a way with lyrics” - Roots Music Canada

Featured on SiriusXM, eTalk, The Morning Show, and more!

Release Date: Friday, September 20 2024

Winnipeg, MB – September 12, 2024 – JUNO nominated Canadian Roots/Americana Artist, Desiree Dorion, has just announced her seventh studio album "Remember Your Name", set for release on September 20, 2024.

A remarkable storyteller with a captivating ability to create thought-provoking, emotionally stirring, and resonant songs, JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter Desiree Dorion unveils a new chapter in her decorated music career with her seventh studio album, "Remember Your Name". Steeped in courageous vulnerability, Dorion’s new album is a journey of bravery and trust in the face of change. This project also marks a new sound for the historically Country-focused artist, as she ventures for the first time into the musical and lyrical flexibility of the Roots/Americana genre. With diverse topics, styles, and sounds, Dorion’s lyrics leave a lasting impression, balancing simplicity with complexity in songwriting that is both accessible and deeply profound. Featuring a duet with Canadian Roots artist Amanda Rheaume and collaborations with Indigenous musicians and vocalists, "Remember Your Name" stands out as a collection of songs reflecting growth, authenticity, and the embrace of change.

Nationally recognized by leading Canadian media outlets such as The Morning Show, Breakfast Television, eTalk, Global News Toronto, and CTV News, Dorion has also received extensive radio support from CBC Radio 1, SiriusXM, and sustained airplay on Canada's National Campus and Community Radio Charts. Her music has appeared multiple times on the Canadian Country Music Top 100 Charts (TRAX), with several songs reaching #1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown. A three-time Manitoba Country Music Award (MCMA) winner and nine-time nominee, Dorion has also been recognized by the Indigenous Music Awards and Western Canadian Music Awards. Her 2023 album, “That’s How I Know”, is closing in on half a million streams across platforms, and peaked at #3 on iTunes Canada in its first week. Balancing her career with personal commitments, Dorion is not only a successful artist but also a mother, lawyer, and dedicated advocate for the Indigenous community, contributing her expertise to a range of community-focused initiatives. In collaboration with the Canadian Country Music Association, she hosted the Indigenous-focused Achimotak series and currently serves as an ambassador for the Downie Wenjack Foundation. Her ability to excel across multiple fields showcases her exceptional talent, resilience, and dedication, making her a leading example of boundless capability.

On a metaphorical map of courage, Desiree Dorion’s "Remember Your Name" offers an empathetic compass, guiding listeners back to themselves on the winding journey of change, self-trust, and transformation. Turning to songwriting to help navigate through a period of evolution, the collection of songs both honest and imagined, mark Dorion’s transition from Country to Roots/Americana, a liberating shift that inspired her to take a more active role in the musicality and direction of her work. On the topic of migrating genres, Dorion shares, “The Roots world feels really authentic for me. I love the creative freedom - musically and lyrically - I feel I can explore more within this genre. I felt ready to sit in the studio and give my input on the music and production - something I rarely did in the Country-Pop world.” Reflecting the stripped-down rawness and vulnerability of the album, the cover art for "Remember Your Name" features a nude image of Dorion covered by her guitar. 'I was a little terrified, but I had shown the image to my producer and said, this is what I want the music to sound like. I wanted space and rawness - nothing covered up or overproduced.

Oscillating between dark, moody verses and a light, playfully metaphorical chorus, lead single "Greta" is a duet between Canadian Roots artist Amanda Rheaume, and Dorion. A song about reclaiming one’s power and leaving a difficult situation, "Greta" was born from an emotional and infuriating phone call where a friend revealed she had been hit by her partner. Penned with Steve Mitchell (The Paperboys), the song calmly conveys the anger, helplessness, and lack of control felt while watching a friend suffer. With a brooding atmospheric opening and Dorion’s softly delivered first verse, the song expands to include Rheaume’s complementary vocals, urging the victim to break free from her abuser.

The first single from the project, "Ghost", was released in the late summer of 2024 and explores the emotional aftermath of a relationship's end, as well as the complexities of moving on and reclaiming one's strength. The chorus, performed a cappella, opens the song, which features a driving drumbeat and a softly haunting atmospheric tapestry. The title track, “Remember Your Name”, is an explosive, empowering anthem that calls on anyone facing challenges to remember their own resilience and the enduring strength of those who came before them. Written during a time of great sadness, Dorion penned the song to reflect her journey of rediscovering her past self and, more importantly, embracing who she is now. Musically, it contrasts darker verses with the soaring, light-filled chorus. “Remember Your Name” serves as a rallying cry for listeners to rise again and keep moving forward.

Desiree Dorion's “Remember Your Name” is a compelling showcase of her lyrical brilliance, offering a collection of songs that reflect her artistic growth and evolution, inspired by her unwavering dedication to delivering authentic songs. With each track, Dorion paints vivid emotional landscapes, bringing listeners into a world of transformation, introspection, and personal strength. The album seamlessly blends heartfelt storytelling with intricate musicality, marking a bold shift into the Roots/Americana genre that undeniably fits the artist like a glove. Her thoughtful lyrics, paired with a fresh sound, create a listening experience that is both intimate and expansive. Her ability to convey complex emotions through simple, yet poignant language, elevates “Remember Your Name” to a universally resonant body of work. Standing as a powerful testament to Dorion's evolution as a songwriter and her unwavering commitment to authenticity, Desiree Dorion once again delivers a musical project that will be celebrated for years to come.

Upcoming Shows:

September 6 2024 – Blue Jay Sessions – Prairie Emporium – Calgary, AB

Sept. 7 2024 - The King Eddy Calgary, AB Tickets https://www.showpass.com/desiree-dorion-at-the-king-eddy

September 8 2024 – Prophet River First Nation, BC

September 14 2024 – CCMA – Edmonton, AB

September 20 2024 – Indo (AmericanaFest), and The Local – Nashville, TN

September 27 2024 – The Watson Arts Centre – Dauphin, MB

September 30 – Oct. 5 2024– The National Arts Centre – Calgary, AB

October 6 – The Royal George – Winnipeg, MB

"Remember Your Name" will be available on September 20, 2024

Connect with Desiree Dorion:

http://www.desireedorion.com/