FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Powerhouse Edmonton Singer-Songwriter Dahlia Wakefield Delivers Her Most Personal and Triumphant Work to Date!
- dahliawakefield
- May 22
- 5 min read
Edmonton, Alberta — Dahlia Wakefield, one of Western Canada’s most dynamic and versatile singer-songwriters, is back with her soaring new single, “Light of the Phoenix”! This track is available on all major streaming platforms worldwide. It’s the fourth and most anticipated single from her upcoming rock album, Phoenix Rising, set for a full release in October 2026 via Skyrocket Records. This release marks a defining statement of resilience, self-reclamation, and creative momentum from an artist who has been building toward this moment for two decades!
A Rock Anthem for the Ages!
From its first electrifying chord to its final sustained cry of freedom, “Light of the Phoenix” is a powerhouse rock anthem! It’s 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.”
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.”
This writing radiates earned wisdom, and Wakefield delivers it with every ounce of her remarkable range!
The Story Behind the Song
The story behind “Light of the Phoenix” is as compelling as the song itself! Written in July 2023 during a single inspired burst of honesty between Wakefield and her 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. This collaboration 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!
A Layered Production Process
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. Wakefield previously recorded her acclaimed singles “Still Waters” and “Dreams of Yesterday” there. She is also quick to note with a laugh that the record was made entirely without the use of artificial intelligence! This is a testament to the irreplaceable value of genuine human artistry and real-room chemistry between musicians!
A Message of Empowerment
Beyond its musical impact, “Light of the Phoenix” carries broader cultural significance that Wakefield is channeling 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!
Stunning Visuals to Accompany the Release
The single is accompanied by a music video shot in the striking desert landscape of Ashcroft, British Columbia, in August 2025! Video footage was captured by Robin Matkea. The visuals bring an expansive, sun-scorched grandeur to the song’s themes of emergence and transformation. They pair 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: A Musical Force
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, she’s done it all!
A sought-after session and backup vocalist, she has sung alongside the band Toronto on multiple occasions. She 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! Coverage has appeared 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 8 PM
June 12 & 13 @ Caffreys, Sherwood Park, AB with Kerosene 9:30 PM
Fri. June 19 @ Blowers & Grafton, Sherwood Park, AB - Duo with Kevin 8 PM
Sat. July 4 @ Ottewell No Frills with Dahlia & Alan Duo 12-3 PM
Sat. July 4 @ Blues on Whyte/The Commercial with Dahlia & The Villains, 9 PM
Sat. July 18 @ Sherwood Park, AB Fundraiser for Summer Party / Fundraiser for Strathcona Library, Sherwood Park, AB
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 4 PM Free/All ages
September @ Grovenor Park Community League, Edmonton, AB with Alan (duo)
Sat. Oct 10 @ Bailey Theatre, Camrose, AB with BRIGADE Heart Tribute band 8 PM
October 16 & 17 @ Caffreys, Sherwood Park, AB with Kerosene at 9:30 PM
Fri. Oct 23 @ Shell Theatre, Fort Saskatchewan, AB with BRIGADE at Alberta Showcase, presented by Alberta Touring Arts Association (ATAA)
Sat. October 24 @ Ryley Community Centre, Ryley, AB with Dahlia & The Villains 8 PM
Fri. Nov 13 @ Blowers & Grafton Sherwood Park, AB with The Dahlia & Alan Duo
Sat. Nov 14 @ CHROMOZONE, Edmonton, AB - "Phoenix Rising"Album Release Party
More gigs to come (pending)
Click here for the video to "Light of the Phoenix"!
Eric Alper
Publicist | Music Commentator | Shameless Idealist
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