Beneath the painted hues and infinite prairie skies of Saskatoon -- a city in the heart of Canada -- lies a soulful, creative, spirit that proves there’s much more to the so-called ‘fly-over states’ than grassland and grain silos. Katie Tupper, a 24-year old neo-soul musician, embodies that spirit and is determined to show there’s an entire world of boundary-pushing, genre-defying artists at work within the often overlooked region.
On her debut single, “Live Inside,” Tupper ruminated on notions of identity and what it means to let someone change your appearance, to surrender into your relationship, and allow your partner to become a piece of who you look like everyday.
“How Can I Get Your Love?” Tupper’s second single, rising in the CBC Music Top 20 chart, deals in a blanketing mixture of Neo-soul and exquisite folk, seeming to speak for a region neglected all too often, displaying just how richly her music roots through the native meadows and grasslands (or as she refers to them here, “fields of butter”). It’s a song that at once speaks of all the possible partners we miss out on from sheer cluelessness, and ultimately centers around a single, great passion.
Tupper released her newest album, Towards The end, in 2022 which features swelling strings and twinkling keys exquisitely backing up an instantly catchy, syrupy drumlines. Her voice soars over the tracks, telling stories of heartbreak and resentment, the vast openness of the prairies, and digging into that feeling of having so little left to lose that there’s hardly anything worth salvaging.
“Saskatchewan's Katie Tupper makes the kind of soul-stained folk that feels instantly familiar, but it's her complex writing — vividly capturing the sights and smells of her home province, like the "fields of butter" on "How Can I Get Your Love?" — that makes her debut EP so anticipated, further calcifying the singer/songwriter's distinct and subtle touch.“ Exclaim!
“Tupper's smooth, neo-soul delivery is paired with a minimalist sound, often letting her honest songwriting shine in the forefront; definitely recommended for fans of Charlotte Day Wilson or Loony. …we can't wait to hear how she'll continue to grow and expand her sound.” CBC Music
Marissa Burwell is an indie act from the heart of Saskatchewan, known best for her captivating yet endearing performances. Her debut self-titled EP was released in 2019 creating a buzz that allowed appearances at international festivals including Reeperbahn, Liverpool Sound City, and Breakout West. And now, on the heels of her self-titled EP, Burwell remerges as a fully realized artist.
Burwell’s latest full-length album, Bittersweet (2022), demonstrates remarkable growth, both as a songwriter and with her sonic palette. Her warm, summery voice and wry wit remain but beneath its indie-folk exterior, the album is adorned with lush keys, warm synth passages, and subtle drum programming. Lyrically it is her most personal work, full of images of dinner parties, church, gardens, and that darkness that comes in waves and in seasons. Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan she writes one eye focused on childhood, the other gazing toward a hopeful future, and both feet planted firmly in the snow.
Catch Katie Tupper and Marissa Burwell on December 3rd 2022 at Blenders! Tickets are $27 PST included, and are available at Swift Current Pharmasave or online at eventbrite.com. Doors at the Lyric Theatre will open at 7:30pm and the music begins at 8:30pm. Blenders thanks Pharmasave for sponsoring this show.
