Amanda Rheaume (born May 25, 1982) is a Métis folk singer-songwriter from Canada.[1]
Amanda Rheaume | |
|---|---|
 Amanda Rheaume at Kranhaus Elmshorn, April 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Amanda Rheaume |
| Born | May 25, 1982 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Origin | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Americana, folk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, artist manager, label owner |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels |
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| Website | www |
Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario,[2] Rheaume is a member of the Métis Nation of Ontario non-profit organization and has Objiwe/Anishinaabe ancestors from Lac Seul, Ontario.[3] She is the granddaughter of Eugène Rhéaume, one of Canada's first Métis members of parliament.
Career edit
Rheaume released a number of EPs, and contributed a song to the 2003 Ottawa compilation Ottawa Indie Vibe,[4] before releasing her full-length debut album Light of Another Day in 2011.[5] She supported the album with her first major national concert tour.[6] She also travelled to Afghanistan on several occasions to perform for servicemen in the Canadian military during the War in Afghanistan,[7]
After delving into her family history in more depth, she began writing songs inspired by her Métis heritage on her 2013 album Keep a Fire.[8] The album won the Canadian Folk Music Award for Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year at the 10th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2014,[9] and was a Juno Award nominee for Aboriginal Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2014.[10]
In 2016 she followed up with Holding Patterns,[11] which was a CFMA nominee for Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year at the 12th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2016.[12]
In 2018, she performed the songs "Now for Plan A" and "The Stranger" at a Gord Downie tribute concert.[3]
In 2019 she released her fourth album, The Skin I'm In.[13]
In 2021, Rheaume and ShoShonna Kish of the band Digging Roots cofounded Ishkōdé Records,[14] which releases music by Rheaume, Digging Roots, and singer-songwriters Aysanabee and Morgan Toney.[15]
Her 2022 album The Spaces in Between was produced by Hill Kourkoutis.[16] She received her third CFMA nomination for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year at the 18th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2023.[17]
Rheaume is director of operations for the International Indigenous Music Summit,[16] and project coordinator for the creation of a National Indigenous Music Office.[18]
Discography edit
EPs edit
Albums edit
- Light of Another Day (2011)
- Keep a Fire (2013)
- Holding Patterns (2016)
- The Skin I'm In (2019)
- The Spaces in Between (2022)
References edit
- ^ Lynn Saxberg (May 25, 2022). "Amanda Rheaume talks about new album, decolonizing the music industry". Ottawa Citizen.
- ^ a b Wes Smiderle, "Songs in the key of life". Ottawa Citizen, June 5, 2003.
- ^ a b Glenn Wilkins, "Rheaume to sing out at Downie tribute concert". Barrie Today, January 24, 2018.
- ^ Wes Smiderle, "New CD helps give area artists a boost". Ottawa Citizen, April 4, 2003.
- ^ Peter Simpson, "Songwriter changes her tune; Amanda Rheaume strips down sound to deliver 'authentic' album". Vancouver Sun, September 6, 2011.
- ^ Hamish MacLean, "Rheaume roots down". Bow Valley Crag and Canyon, September 14, 2011.
- ^ Aedan Helmer, "The road is inspiration for Amanda Rheaume". Sault Star, November 29, 2013.
- ^ Laura Stradiotto, "'Keep a Fire': New album rooted with family history". Sudbury Star, October 24, 2013.
- ^ Lynn Saxberg, "Ottawa singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume among folk music award winners". Ottawa Citizen, November 30, 2014.
- ^ "Juno 2014 nominees". Winnipeg Free Press, March 24, 2014.
- ^ Lynn Saxberg, "Amanda Rheaume weathers the blows". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, May 19, 2016.
- ^ Calum Slingerland, "Canadian Folk Music Awards Announce 2016 Winners". Exclaim!, December 4, 2016.
- ^ Kyle Mullin, "Amanda Rheaume: The Skin I'm In". Exclaim!, February 19, 2019.
- ^ Chelsea Brimstin (June 30, 2021). "Digging Roots' ShoShana Kish, Amanda Rheaume launch Ishkōdé Records, sign Aysanabee". Indie88.
- ^ David McPherson (June 1, 2022). "Canadian Labels: Ishkōdé Records Ignites the Spirit of the Eighth Fire". National Music Centre.
- ^ a b "Check out Amanda Rheaume's new single, 'All Sides of Me'". Roots Music Canada. March 11, 2022.
- ^ Stephen Cooke, "Madison Violet, Shannon & Tony Quinn among 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award nominees". SaltWire Network, October 5, 2022.
- ^ "JOURNEYS | International Indigenous Music Summit Kicks off June 8th". CFNR-FM. June 4, 2021.
- ^ Fateema Sayani, "This could be the last stand". Ottawa Citizen, November 10, 2005.
- ^ Fateema Sayani, "Rheaume finds her real groove". Ottawa Citizen, June 14, 2007.
- ^ Fateema Sayani, "The Rheaume world tour". Ottawa Citizen, May 28, 2009.