Biography

Canadian Singer-Songwriter Dahlia Wakefield creates heart-felt lyrics, memorable melodies and pours her soul into vocal performances that immediately captivate listeners. Her new album "Down This Road" represents just over a year and a half of dedicated effort and follows her well-received debut CD, "Close to Home", both released on her independent record label, Squirrelly Girl Music. With a strong, unique voice capable of interesting complexity, Dahlia spans easily from angelic and sensitive, to smooth and sensual, to raunchy and gutsy all in one seamless pass. Her musical direction explores popular avenues combining contemporary rock, pop, blues and a hint of what might be considered modern country. If one must compare styles, the likes of Matchbox Twenty’s Rob Thomas, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, and even Shania Twain come to mind. And then, of course, there are her influences of Fleetwood Mac, Bonnie Raitt, Amanda Marshall, Jann Arden and so on. Dahlia’s rich voice and contemporary-with-roots style allows her music to fit comfortably into almost any play-list or program.

Like many artists from humble beginnings, Dahlia was raised in a small rural town but left when rock 'n' roll and bright lights of the big city beckoned. As a graduate of Edmonton, Alberta’s highly regarded Grant MacEwan College Music Program, Dahlia earned an award of Distinction as a Vocal Performance Major, was the recipient of the EZ Rock 104.9 Vocal Entrance Scholarship, along with the Barbershop Harmony Society Award, and was also featured on the school's recording "Music From Within". During the following years, Dahlia’s original songs have earned well-deserved high ranking as a finalist in many top international songwriting competitions, including the 2003 International Songwriting Contest and both the 2003 & 2001 Windrift Music Songwriting Contest, resulting in a spot on a compilation CD called "Faces in the Crowd”. More recently, two songs off her debut album “Close to Home” appear on the 2005 Cyclone Records releases “Heart of Alberta” and "Storm Warning Vol. 1". In total, her music has landed on five compilation albums thus far.

On February 17, 2007, Dahlia gave birth to a baby girl - Jasmine Angelina. Trying to balance motherhood with music has not been easy, but she's surviving the transition and is now writing and doing pre-production for her third full-length record. In addition to live shows focusing on her original material, Dahlia also keeps her vocal chops highly tuned by performing at various showcases, telethons and festivals as a solo act, a duo act, and with cover bands such as X-Factor and Brass Bedpost, which has only strengthened her ability to feel naturally comfortable on stage, even though she has been performing on stage since the age of five. Songs from the hot-off-the-press release "Down This Road" have caught the attention of local and internet radio, and Dahlia, as always, is keeping busy with more songwriting, performances and promotions. With full length albums "Close to Home" and "Down This Road" released and another one on the way, Dahlia Wakefield is a rising star set to shine bright and long.

Want to know more? View Dahlia's resume online!

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