FEAT. NIX IRONSTONE (BAND) + JESSIE T (TRIO) + SANDRA BOUZA (SOLO) + BRENNAGH BURNS (SOLO)

Nix Ironstone is a rising Canadian alt-rock artist blending indie/alternative rock and goth pop with a fierce feminine edge. Formerly known as Nicole Rayy, she built a successful career in country music before boldly reinventing herself with a darker, more cinematic sound. Her debut single Dead To Me introduced audiences to this fearless new era, while follow-up release Nervous showcases her magnetic mix of vulnerability, intensity, and anthemic hooks. With ten CMAOntario nominations, a 2024 Music Video of the Year win, over 5 million streams, and 45,000+ followers, Nix brings experience and momentum to every stage she steps on. Bold, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore, Nix Ironstone is an artist entering her most powerful chapter yet.

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• Jessie T is a country singer, songwriter and recording artist whose style blends country roots with a 90’s pop-rock edge. A four-time Country Music Association of Ontario nominee, she has brought her high-energy show to festivals like Boots and Hearts, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Main Stage, Meadows Music Fest, and JUNO Host City Music Exchange. Jessie landed on two Billboard charts with her single "Almost Beautiful" in its first week of release. Jessie’s newest single, "I’m Fine", charted on Yangaroo’s Top CANCON Downloads in December 2025, is in steady rotation on Sirius XM’s Top Of The Country station, and was placed on Spotify’s North Country editorial playlist.

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• Sandra Bouza is a powerhouse Hamilton-based roots soul vocalist. Her dynamic live shows carry a range of energies; from a smoking hot band that will get you moving to intimate stripped down acoustic performances that possess the ability to silence an audience. Bouza has recently been nominated for Maple Blues Best New Artist award and her recent album A Sound in the Dark has been nominated for Best New Contemporary Album at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. 

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• Growing up, shifting between the shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, Brennagh Burns has spent her life enveloped in the sweet, folky, tobacco-laden tones of Southern-Ontario. With a blend of haunting, soul-stirring melodies, mixed with thoughtful, poignant lyrics and nuanced storytelling, Brennagh will reach right into the most tender and precious parts of you. Be sure to catch her live at a venue near you, or every Tuesday at her delightful weekly Open Mic at Lukaya Cafe in Hamilton.

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• Femme Rising is a Hamilton-based multi-genre femme & queer showcase series highlighting premier artists in the Greater Hamilton Area. Curated across multiple volumes, the showcase spans all year long in large show formats at Mills Hardware, and intimate songwriter rounds at smaller local venues. Each Volume features a different lineup of artists from the Femme Rising / Them Rising network, showcasing genres including Pop, Soul, Rock, Alternative, Country, Folk, Queer Pop, and more. This showcase series is run by local artist/coach/promoter Melissa Dutch.  For more information, or to submit your music for consideration, visit melissadutch.com/femme-rising/

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Women in Music Canada (WIMC) is a registered non-profit organization and one of the largest music industry associations in Canada. Through programming, community building, and online resources our goal is to strengthen the social-economic balance of the music industry. WIMC believes that the conversation around equality is an inclusive one, where all voices are welcome and is working to make the music industry a more diverse, equitable and inclusive community for all.