CiTR

RAINE HAMILTON



Raine Hamilton (they/them) is part prairie songstress, part storyweaver; Each song has a story, delivered between songs with humour and grace. Raine invites their love of the violin into the singer-songwriter genre, writing for violin and voice, as well as for guitar and voice. Joined by cello and upright bass, expect string arrangements that push and pull, that move as they console.



A classical violinist and musicologist by training, Raine and their string trio offer string-quartet-like arrangements of Raine’s original songs. They call this chamber-folk, a hybrid of the classical tradition of string quartet chamber music, with the singer songwriter folk that comes so organically to Raine.



Raine’s latest work, the full-length album Brave Land (2021-22), is a concept album about mountains, and the courage, wisdom, and otherworldly connection they represent. Here, as in Raine’s 2018 album Night Sky, their songs are set to intricate and seasoned arrangements for guitar, violin, cello, and double bass.



Once again Raine has worked with string trio collaborators Quintin Bart on double bass, Natanielle Felicitas on cello, and Lloyd Peterson as producer/engineer.



An experienced educator, Raine offers workshops in songwriting and fiddle tune writing. Raine is the recipient of the 2018 Canadian Folk Music Award for Emerging Artist of the Year! Raine has toured Canada extensively, Highlights include: Performing songs with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra five times, performing with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, playing a show in a cave ten stories below the earth's surface, and numerous major music festivals across Canada. Brave Land, their latest release drops this Friday, January 21, 2022, to learn more, visit www.rainehamilton.com

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DESIIRE

DESIIRE (he/him) is a Congo Born, Toronto based singer songwriter who delivers a unique blend of R&B, Afro, Electronic & Hip Hop to create music that is filled with hypnotic instrumentals and vocal moody simplicity. Influenced by soul contemporaries and pioneer African artists, DESIIRE has become known for his gospel inpired vocals, afro infused, rap staccato cadences and engaging story-telling songwriting.

Over the past 2 years, he has been featured in such prominent publications as Billboard, AFroPunk, MTV, SPIN, Rolling Stone Magazine as well as graced the stage at festivals such as Manifesto, Pop Montreal, Luminato, Canadian Music Week and Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa Pride Festival stages.

He continues his musical journey with a slew of eclectic releases with 2021's Afro-R&B slow jam " I'm Sorry " and his upcoming single dropping February 2nd, “Euphoria“. Learn about Desiire and his music on his webpage at desiirenow.com