DAHLIA WAKEFIELD IGNITES HER BOLDEST CHAPTER YETWITH ANTHEMIC NEW SINGLE “LIGHT OF THE PHOENIX”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Powerhouse Edmonton Singer-Songwriter Delivers Her Most Personal and Triumphant Work to Date
Edmonton, Alberta — Dahlia Wakefield, one of Western Canada’s most dynamic and versatile singer-songwriters, releases her soaring new single “Light of the Phoenix” on all major streaming platforms worldwide. The track is the fourth and most anticipated single from her forthcoming rock album 'Phoenix Rising,' scheduled for a full release in October 2026 via Skyrocket Records, and it arrives as a defining statement of resilience, self-reclamation, and creative momentum from an artist who has been building toward this moment for two decades.
From its first electrifying chord to its final sustained cry of freedom, “Light of the Phoenix” is a powerhouse rock anthem built for anyone who has ever chosen themselves over the weight of a toxic situation. Dahlia’s vocals ride the song’s surging dynamics with the precision of a seasoned performer and the raw authenticity of someone who has lived every word. The chorus lands with the force of a rallying cry: “By the light of the phoenix / I will find my way / I will rise above / And I will be okay.” And in a standout moment mid-song, she delivers one of the album’s most vivid lines with fearless conviction: “All the pain you caused just fueled the fire / You tried to ruin me but burning bright’s my best attire.” It is writing that radiates earned wisdom, and Wakefield delivers it with every ounce of her remarkable range.
The story behind “Light of the Phoenix” is as compelling as the song itself. Written in July 2023 in a single inspired burst of honesty between Wakefield and co-writer and musical partner Kevin Frey, the song grew out of a deeply personal conversation and a chord progression that instantly clicked. “Writing it was incredibly cathartic — it felt like shedding weight and stepping into clarity,” says Wakefield. “It was one of those rare writing experiences that felt like a huge release — raw, emotional and deeply healing. The song poured out of us.” Frey contributed the music while Wakefield penned the lyrics, a collaboration that also yielded “Still Waters,” which earned a 2024 Josie Award nomination from Nashville. That creative partnership is woven through nearly every track on 'Phoenix Rising,' making the album one of the most cohesive and personally resonant works of Wakefield’s career.
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Sandro Dominelli at Dominelli Studios in St. Albert, Alberta, “Light of the Phoenix” showcases a recording process as layered and intentional as the song’s message. The track features lead guitarist Alan Tymofichuk, a musical collaborator of Wakefield’s since 2000; rhythm guitarist Kevin Frey; bassist Jeff Godley; and drummer Dennis Boisvert, with Wakefield herself on keyboards in addition to lead and background vocals. The song went through a rich evolution from its initial phone-demo recording in July 2023, through a first studio session in Edmonton, to its final incarnation at Dominelli Studios, where Wakefield previously recorded her acclaimed singles “Still Waters” and “Dreams of Yesterday.” Wakefield is also quick to note with a laugh that the record was made entirely without the use of artificial intelligence, a testament to the irreplaceable value of genuine human artistry and real-room chemistry between musicians.
Beyond its musical impact, “Light of the Phoenix” carries a broader cultural significance that Wakefield is channelling into meaningful action. The song’s unflinching themes of reclaiming identity and walking away from narcissistic abuse have led her to partner with WIN House in Edmonton, a society dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence. “Like the phoenix, the song is about rising from the ashes of pain and confusion into finding strength, clarity and self-worth again — reclaiming your voice and choosing yourself,” Wakefield explains. “I hope it empowers anyone in a toxic situation to find the strength to walk away and take back their power.” In an era when music that speaks truthfully about emotional survival resonates deeply with audiences worldwide, “Light of the Phoenix” arrives as both a personal triumph and a communal anthem.
The single is accompanied by a music video shot in the striking desert landscape of Ashcroft, British Columbia in August 2025, with video footage captured by Robin Matkea. The visuals bring an expansive, sun-scorched grandeur to the song’s themes of emergence and transformation, pairing the soaring vocal performance with imagery that feels both intimate and cinematic. Photography for the release is by Amanda Clark, with cover artwork by Andrew Bacoto, completing a creative package that speaks to every dimension of Wakefield’s vision for this chapter of her artistry.
Dahlia Wakefield is one of Alberta’s most accomplished and multidimensional musical forces. A graduate with Distinction from Grant MacEwan University’s Music Program in Vocal Performance, she has performed professionally for over 20 years across stages of every scale, from intimate retirement home performances to New Year’s Eve sets for more than 10,000 people in Edmonton’s Churchill Square. A sought-after session and backup vocalist, she has sung alongside the band Toronto on multiple occasions and leads or participates in several active projects, including the Dahlia and Alan Duo, the hard rock band Kerosene, casino act Dahlia and The Villains, and country/rock band Dirt Road Angels, among others. Her previous single “Well Dressed Lies” has earned multiple ISSA nominations, including International Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Female Single of the Year, with coverage appearing in Canadian Beats, Cashbox, Tinnitist, and Record World International, among others. For more information, visit www.dahliawakefield.com.
Upcoming Tour Dates
Sat. May 23 @ B Street Bar, Edmonton, AB - Dahlia & Alan Duo at 8pm
June 12 & 13 @ Caffreys, Sherwood Park, AB with Kerosene 9:30pm
Fri. June 19 @ Blowers & Grafton, Sherwood Park, AB - Duo with Kevin 8pm
Sat. July 4 @ Ottewell No Frills with Dahlia & Alan Duo 12-3 pm
Sat. July 25 @ Main Stage at Cornstock ‘26 with Brigade (Heart Tribute Band) (opening for Nik Gilder of Sweeney Todd, The Headpins, Honeymoon Suite, and Colin James), Taber, AB - Time TBA
Sat. Aug 29 @ Rice Howard Way Block Party, Edmonton, AB 4pm Free/All ages
Sat. Oct 10 @ Bailey Theatre, Camrose, AB with BRIGADE Heart Tribute band 8pm
October 16 & 17 @ Caffreys, Sherwood Park, AB with Kerosene at 9:30pm
Sat. October 24 @ Ryley Community Centre, Ryley, AB with Dahlia & The Villains at 8pm
**More gigs to come (pending)
Click here for the video to "Light of the Phoenix"!
Eric Alper
Publicist I Music Commentator I Shameless Idealist
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