“I May Be Down… But I’m Not Defeated”: JUNO Winner Angelique Francis Roars Back With A Soul-Stirring, Genre-Bending Album of Grit, Groove, and Glory

You know you’re in the presence of a force when someone plays upright bass, harmonica, keys, and cigar box guitar and that’s *before* they open their mouth. Angelique Francis isn’t just the future of blues, roots, and soul; she’s the freight train pulling the whole genre into a new dimension. With her third studio album, Not Defeated, out now, the Ottawa-born powerhouse is delivering a rallying cry for resilience, packing soul anthems, gospel grooves, and barn-burning guitar solos into one of the most exciting Canadian releases of the year.

 

Born in Ottawa and raised in a household where music was both language and lifeline, Angelique first hit the stage at age seven and was playing festivals by thirteen. By 14, she was already playing with music icons like Beth Hart and Shamekia Copeland. She has since shared the stage with music legends: Buddy Guy, Keb’ Mo’, Gary Clark Jr, and many more. Her musical DNA includes Aretha Franklin on keys, Willie Dixon on bass, Big Mama Thornton on harp, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe on guitar; and somehow, she plays them all. This multi-instrumentalist charts her own path: rocking stages across the globe, serenading audiences with her upright bass, harmonica, and powerful voice; all at the same time.

 

After winning the 2023 JUNO for Blues Album of the Year with Long River, Francis was declared Performer of the Year by Folk Canada in 2024, swept multiple Canadian Blues Music Awards, and landed a 2025 Canadian Folk Music Award nod for Song of the Year. But more than the accolades, it's her ability to unify joy and struggle that sets her apart. “Music has always been about healing for me,” Angelique shares. “It’s how I process the world and how I imagine a better one. One of my main goals as a musician is to spread joy amongst my listeners. To give people hope in times of struggle.”

 

On Not Defeated, she goes all in. “I may be down / but I’m not defeated,” she howls on the album’s title track. This high-powered soul-blues infused number highlights the analogy connecting the album’s tracks. “My album is a collection of songs and stories about the hardships and challenges of our past, present, and future, and the strength that lies within us all to overcome them”. The overarching theme is linked across every song, spinning a variety of tales that range from sensual, introspective, to comical.

 

From the sultry celebration of “Sugarcane Jukejoint” to the explosive funk-blues grooves of “Do That Work,” every track is steeped in soul and purpose. This album of completely original tunes was crafted in the signature Francis style; a fusion of Blues and Blues influenced genres (roots, folk, soul, rock, gospel, Americana, funk, jazz, classic R&B, and many more). She takes her listeners on a journey through a diverse mix of styles; from upbeat and exciting, to intimate and profound.

 

A featured track, “Escape” (ft. Grammy winner Christone “Kingfish” Ingram), is an electrifying spiritual gut-punch. “I just can't escape… my fears… / but I can stand / I will face it and give it all I can,” Francis belts with raw intensity, her voice swirling with Kingfish’s molten guitar. This timeless uplifting anthem encourages listeners to create their own light in the face of darkness.

 

Then there’s “Watch Me Grow,” a compelling tune that marries blues riffs with swagger, slick spoken word poetry, and New Orleans horns. It’s a song that declares: “Our path may be challenging, but onwards we fight / Watch me grow, watch us grow.”

 

Francis says: “Each one of us has the power to create positive change within this world. When people come together, support one another, and love each other, we can accomplish wonders.”

 

The album also features another sonic firestorm in “Train Coming” with Grammy Nominee Eric Gales, a blues-rock juggernaut that flawlessly electrifies listeners with its power and sizzle; a multifaceted metaphor about shedding one’s burdens and charging ahead towards a brighter future.

 

For Francis, music is her life, love, and family (quite literally). Her band includes sisters Kharincia Francis (sax), Kira Francis (trombone), Kayla Francis (vocals), and Father Kiran Francis (drums). “I am so lucky to have my family by my side,” she says. “It feels like a dream come true! They are fantastic musicians, and together our music is a reflection of who we are and the values we were raised on. That Love can conquer all.” Other talented members of The Angelique Francis Band on this album include Ed Lister (trumpet), Dave Williamson (electric guitar), and Andrew Knox (trumpet).

 

Coming off a whirlwind summer with performances at Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival (USA), Mont Tremblant International Blues Festival (QC), Niagara Jazz Festival (ON), Fort Langley Jazz Festival (BC), etc., Angelique and the band will board the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea cruise this September, performing from Seattle to Alaska alongside some of the biggest names in Blues (such as Joe Bonamassa, Marcus King, Little Feat, and many others). “I can’t wait to bring this new music to people,” she beams. “Every show feels like a homecoming, whether we’re in Toronto or Romania.”

 

As for what’s next? Francis is set to tour in the fall (including Massey Hall, the Prismatic Arts Festival in Halifax, and Aeolian Hall in London) and is already working on her tour for 2026.

 

With Not Defeated, Angelique Francis has delivered more than just a record. She’s offered a soundtrack for anyone who's ever fallen and got back up anyway. “Failure, fear, and pain may come; but as long as we have hope, we will not be defeated.”

2x JUNO Winner Steve Marriner Brings Analog Grease to "I Can't Dance" With a Swaggering Blues Reimagining of the Genesis Classic

 

From harmonica to baritone guitar, from frontman to producer, Steve Marriner has spent over two decades shaping the sound of modern blues. With two JUNO Awards for his work with MonkeyJunk, a career spent touring with Colin James, and collaborations with Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, and Blue Rodeo, Marriner has become one of Canada’s most versatile and respected musicians. Now, he’s taking a Genesis song that’s lived “rent-free” in his head for years and giving it the treatment it deserves. 

"I Can’t Dance," Marriner’s latest single, out now via Cordova Bay Records, kicking off a new chapter in his ever-evolving career. "I love a strong chorus, and this is one of the best—a classic bluesy melody with a catchy pop sensibility," he says. "While I appreciate the early ’90s production of the original, I always felt that the lyric demanded a lot of swagger and wondered what it would sound like with a bit more analog grease on it." 

That analog grease is all over Marriner’s version, swapping out the polished edges of the original for a gritty, deep-pocketed groove that leans into his blues roots. This isn’t just a cover—it’s a reinvention. His soulful, road-worn voice delivers every line with a knowing smirk, while smoky guitar licks and a tight rhythm section transform the track into something that wouldn’t be out of place in a backroom bar filled with whiskey-soaked jukebox favorites. 

Marriner’s approach to blending blues, rock, and roots music has made him a sought-after collaborator and a formidable solo artist. His last album, Hope Dies Last, earned a 2022 JUNO nomination, and his production work on Big Dave McLean’s This Old Life and David Gogo’s YEAH! has both been nominated for 2025 JUNOs. With Hear My Heart, his upcoming full-length album, Marriner continues to push boundaries, proving that the blues isn’t just tradition—it’s alive, electric, and constantly evolving. 

The release of "I Can’t Dance" marks the first step in a packed 2025, leading up to the full album drop in June. 

For a musician who’s spent his life on the road, playing everywhere from Massey Hall to The Ryman Auditorium, this single is yet another mile marker. Whether performing alongside Harry Manx, Serena Ryder, or Randy Bachman, or stepping into the spotlight with his own brand of soul-drenched, hard-driving blues, Marriner remains one of the most exciting voices in roots music today. 

With "I Can’t Dance," he’s taken an earworm and turned it into a slow-burning, blues-soaked anthem—proof that even a song about standing still can still move.

ALEX BLUM BLENDS BLUES GUITAR & FUTURE-FUNK ON “BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR ABOUT ME”

 

North Carolina native Alex Blum delivers a heady, genre-bending statement with his latest single, “Believe Everything You Hear About Me”—an introspective, blues-soaked odyssey that sits somewhere between confessional and cosmic, wrapped in gritty guitars and minimalist electronic production.

 

Now streaming everywhere, the track is a standout from Blum’s 2025 album Good Weather, a self-produced tour through blues-rock terrain with detours into hip-hop, ambient, and progressive sonic realms. Built from the ground up with Blum on guitar, vocals, harmonica, drums, keys, and production, “Believe Everything You Hear About Me” is equal parts confrontation and transcendence.

 

“It’s a song about things people say about each other,” Blum writes. “On one level, you know it’s in your power not to let other people’s lies affect you. But at the same time, your life is very much affected by them no matter what you do.”

 

The song reads like a modern-day blues diss track without names, biting with sarcasm:

 

“So believe everything you hear about me / And make sure you ask for details too / And go take all your authority / And go make it true.”

 

The track’s psychedelic guitar solo—layered with delay in the spirit of Eddie Hazel’s “Maggot Brain” and John Frusciante’s whammy-warped leads—anchors the emotional surge. “It’s not quite rock music because of the electronics, and not quite electronic music either because it’s mostly driven by the playing,” Blum explains. “But overall the song still feels bluesy.”

 

This duality defines Good Weather, the follow-up to Blum’s fast-tracked blues LP Speak Dreams to Me. It’s a cohesive yet eclectic body of work that threads together his diverse catalogue: from traditional blues and instrumental guitar EPs to danceable beats, ambient textures, and even a rap mixtape. Still, it always returns to what matters most: the guitar and the message.

 

Blum’s music, rooted in Chapel Hill and forged from late-night Asheville sidewalks and solo studio sessions, is soaked in authenticity and unfiltered expression. A line cook by day and a sonic architect by night, he brings the same raw energy to the studio as he once brought to the streets of Asheville and Nashville, busking with an amp and an idea.

Brandon Isaak Releases ‘Walkin’ With The Blues’ – A Raw, Soulful Journey into Classic Electric Blues

Brandon Isaak, the Whitehorse-born bluesman known for his gravelly voice and deep respect for tradition, returns with Walkin’ With The Blues—his most authentic and electrified blues album to date. Recorded live off the floor with minimal mics, vintage gear, and a soul soaked in the genre’s deepest roots, the record is a love letter to classic blues—gritty, emotional, and defiantly old-school.

“This is the most straight-up blues record I’ve ever made, and I could not be more pleased with how it turned out,” Isaak shares. “I wanted to make a record with strong lyrics, soulful playing, and zero tolerance for wanking—and I think I’ve achieved this.” The album marks Isaak’s first time producing and engineering on his own, a feat he describes as both a challenge and a dream realized.

The lead single and title track, “Walkin’ With The Blues,” captures Isaak’s hallmark songwriting style—equal parts heartbreak and hard-won wisdom. Lyrics like “With the blues as my companion / down this long hard road / we’ll keep on walkin’ / and share this heavy load” show Isaak’s emotional range, drawing listeners deep into his world of lost love and gritty perseverance.

Themes throughout the album stretch from life and love to death, sex, and even murder—all delivered with what Isaak calls “gusto and passion.” Each track is infused with the vintage tones of electric blues, channeling the spirit of legends like T-Bone Walker and Ronnie Earl. “I’ve always dreamed of making an electric blues album that captures the feel of the records I grew up on,” he says. “This one’s for the guitarists I worshipped as a kid.”

The record was made with Isaak’s touring band, The Saints of Swing, on Vancouver Island. “We built this in a single room with ribbon mics, cold beer, and heart,” he says. “Every note played was real, unfiltered. The drums, the guitars, the feel—it’s all there, honest and alive.” That honesty translates to every track, from rollicking shuffles to mournful ballads.

A true blues craftsman with over 37 years on the road, Isaak has toured across three continents and earned accolades including a 2024 Juno nomination for Blues Album of the Year. His performance resume includes 13 European tours and four nominations at the 2023 Maple Blues Awards, where he was recognized for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album/Producer of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, and Acoustic Act of the Year.

To celebrate the release of Walkin’ With The Blues, Brandon Isaak will embark on an extensive tour across Western Canada, bringing his new album to life with performances full of storytelling, humour, and heart. 

Whether performing solo or backed by a powerhouse band, Isaak’s shows are rooted in the blues tradition—one part celebration, one part confession, all heart. “I’m not trying to reinvent the blues,” he says. “I’m just doing what it’s always done—telling stories, sharing truths, and keeping the fire burning.”

Downchild’s Donnie Walsh Named to the Order of Canada for Outstanding Contributions to Canadian Music and Culture

 

The Governor General of Canada has appointed Donnie “Mr. Downchild” Walsh to the Order of Canada, recognizing more than five decades of extraordinary contributions to Canadian music and culture. The honour—the nation’s highest civilian recognition—celebrates Walsh’s lifetime of dedication to the blues and his role in shaping Canada’s musical legacy.

 

Founded in 1967, the Order of Canada’s motto, Desiderantes meliorem patriam—“They desire a better country”—perfectly reflects the spirit Donnie Walsh has brought to Canada’s stages and recording studios. As leader and co-founder of The Legendary Downchild Blues Band, Walsh has spent the past 55 years spreading joy, soul, and that unmistakable jump-blues sound across Canada and around the world.

 

The Order of Canada is awarded to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the country. In Walsh’s case, his influence has been both profound and far-reaching—from helping to spark the blues scene in Canada, to inspiring Hollywood history as a foundational figure behind The Blues Brothers. Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi based their iconic characters on Donnie and his brother, the late Richard “Hock” Walsh, covering Downchild songs “Shotgun Blues” and “I Got Everything I Need (Almost)” on their 1978 multi-platinum album Briefcase Full of Blues.

 

From recording their debut album Bootleg, one of the first indie records in Canada, in the underground parking garage at Toronto’s Rochdale College, to sharing the stage with legends like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and James Cotton, Donnie Walsh has remained a pioneering force in Canadian music. In 2019, he was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, joining icons Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, and Joni Mitchell.

 

The Order of Canada announcement comes on the heels of Downchild’s emotional Farewell Tour, which wrapped in 2024, after a final run of shows celebrating their milestone 55th anniversary. Known for their Juno Award-winning sound and unforgettable live performances, Downchild offered fans one last chance to dance, laugh, and groove with one of the greatest blues bands of our time.