A 19-year-old Canadian fiddler continues to make waves on the national folk scene, with Irish Millie earning a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination for Single of the Year and recognition as a nominee for Folk Music Ontario’s 2025 Performing Artist of the Year.

SWOMP caught up with Millie to discuss the recognition.

Millie received the Single of the Year nomination for “You Were There,” a standout track from her EP Between Then and Now. The honour marks her seventh Canadian Folk Music Award nomination and her fifth consecutive nod for Young Performer of the Year, a category in which she has been recognized every year since releasing her debut album Thirteen in 2021.

The Peterborough native released Between Then and Now on July 6, 2025, via LaunchPad Records. The four-track EP highlights her continued artistic growth, blending East Coast fiddle drive, bluegrass energy, and contemporary traditional influences. “You Were There,” co-written with Matthew Cicciarella, features Millie on fiddle and vocals alongside Cicciarella on guitar, with additional electric guitar and string arrangements by producer Tyler Martin.

Produced by Martin at Electric Alchemy and mastered by Gregory Pastic, the single showcases Millie’s ability to craft emotionally resonant songs that respect folk traditions while exploring new textures. Other tracks on the EP, including “Allison,” “Mystery to Me,” and “WASTED,” further demonstrate her range, from stripped-down fiddle-and-guitar arrangements to fuller productions incorporating piano and drums.

A multi-instrumentalist who performs on fiddle, vocals, piano, guitar, and foot percussion, Millie has built a distinctive sound that has resonated with audiences across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Her previous album GRACE drew praise from Celtic music standouts Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, who described it as “fresh, lively… cool tunes and great playing.” FolkWorld Magazine’s Alex Monaghan has highlighted the passion and energy at the heart of her music, citing its sense of fun, fire, and feeling.

Millie recently wrapped up her second East Coast Holiday Tour with long-time collaborator Luka Hall, performing a series of intimate Ontario shows between late December and early January. The annual holiday run has become a growing tradition, pairing Millie’s Celtic folk fiddle style with Hall’s acoustic songwriting and emphasizing storytelling, collaboration, and audience participation.

A past Peterborough Folk Festival Emerging Artist of the Year and recipient of the Peterborough Civic Award for Community Betterment for her “Fiddling for Fox” campaign, Millie is currently studying Music Industry and Technology at the University of Toronto while continuing to tour and record. She is supported on stage by her father, Murray Shadgett, on guitar. Planning is underway for a broader tour in July 2026, with dates expected across Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.

Follow her at https://irishmillie.ca/.

Photo credit: Mary Payne

CMAOntario-nominated duo Amanda & James are set to return on Feb. 6 with their new single “Comeback,” a playful, harmony-driven release arriving via Symphonic Music.

The track follows a breakout year for the fast-rising Canadian country act and continues to build momentum as they emerge as one of the genre’s most talked-about new duos.

SWOMP caught up with the duo for an interview.

“Comeback” is described as a definitive breakup anthem, centred on closing the door for good rather than reopening old chapters. Written by Sam Daviau, Ali Dutton and Joey DePaiva, the song immediately resonated with the duo, who were drawn to its cheeky confidence and nostalgic edge. Amanda & James bring the track to life with their signature blend of bluesy melodies, bouncy grooves and the tight, soaring harmonies that have become a hallmark of their sound.

The single was produced by Matt Koebel, a CMAOntario and CCMA nominee, with mixing and mastering handled by seven-time JUNO nominee Brandon Unis. Sonically, the song leans into hook-heavy country-pop energy while lyrically celebrating the freedom that comes with walking away for good, firmly shutting the door on any idea of a reunion.

The new release follows a standout year for the pair, who were recently nominated for Group or Duo of the Year at the 2025 CMAOntario Awards.

Amanda Kind, from White Rock, B.C., and James Downham, originally from Pembroke with ties to Picton and Stratford, Ont., have built a reputation for dynamic live performances and strong audience connection. Their ongoing success includes the fan-favourite show Time of My Life: The Greatest Duets in Concert, which has helped grow their national profile.

“Comeback” is available Feb. 6. More information about Amanda & James can be found at amandaandjamesmusic.com.

Canadian-born, Nashville-based country artist Drew Taylor is continuing his steady rise with the release of the music video for his latest single “MAKERS,” unveiled via All Country News.

The song leans into the slow burn of unexpected chemistry, drawing a vivid parallel between falling in love and savoring a good whiskey, where each moment lingers and deepens with time.

SWOMP caught up with Taylor for an interview to discuss the track.

“MAKERS” arrives at a pivotal moment for Taylor, who recently signed with independent label T&L Records Nashville and is building momentum off a growing catalog of streaming and chart success. The single is positioned as the start of a new chapter, with more music on the way and an audience that continues to expand on both sides of the border.

Born in Waterloo, Ont., Taylor’s path to country music was anything but typical. Raised around music through his father, who played alongside country icons such as George Strait and Kenny Rogers, Taylor still found himself fronting a screamo band in Canada, sharing stages with acts like Underoath and Atreyu. For years, music competed with other responsibilities, including work as a firefighter and entrepreneur, before he committed fully to songwriting and performing.

That commitment has translated into tangible results. In 2022, Taylor earned wildcard winner honours at the Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase, performing on the festival’s Front Porch stage. The following year, his single “Wish I Didn’t” reached No. 1 on SiriusXM’s Top of the Country. In early 2025, “Nobody I Know” continued the upward trajectory, surpassing a quarter-million streams on Spotify and cementing his place among Canada’s most promising country exports.

Songs such as “Music To My Beers” and “Get The Truck Outta Here” have further showcased Taylor’s blend of modern country production and sharp, relatable lyrics, with several tracks finding a home on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart. Along the way, he has shared the stage with artists including Tanya Tucker, Kane Brown, Paul Brandt and Cory Marks, gaining experience that has shaped his confident, road-tested sound.

Despite the accolades and growing profile, Taylor remains grounded in his approach to songwriting. Connecting with listeners has always been the priority. “If a song touches somebody, then I’ve done my job,” he said, a philosophy that continues to guide his work.

With “MAKERS,” Drew Taylor reinforces that his rise has been built patiently and deliberately, honoring the traditions of country music while pushing its edges forward. As new music looms, the proof, as the song suggests, is in the pour.

Follow https://www.drewtaylorofficial.com/ for all the latest updates.

Photo credit: Allen Clark