Midwest Music Exchange Showcase

MIDWEST MUSIC EXCHANGE
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024
Room 201 at The Forks
Free / All ages / Doors 7 PM / Music 7:30 PM

Performances by:
Leonard Sumner
Anna Graves
Colin Bracewell
Kelly Bado

So excited for the return of the Midwest Music Exchange featuring live music from Manitoba and Minnesota!

Thank you to the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba, FACTOR, and Manitoba Film & Music for making this event possible.

LEONARD SUMNER

"He has been called one of the most important, vital new voices of the First Nations roots music scene in Canada. In truth, Sumner could be categorized as one of the most important, vital new voices in the entire Canadian roots music scene." - Vancouver Island Music Fest

Anishinaabe MC/Singer/Songwriter Leonard Sumner's storytelling flows directly from the shores of Little Saskatchewan First Nation, located in the heart of the Interlake of Manitoba, Canada. With every vibration of the strings on his guitar, Leonard rattles the dust off truths that have been buried for far too long. On stage he poetically sings awake the consciousness of audiences who may have been unaware of their slumber.

ANNA GRAVES

Anna Graves is refreshed, both personally and professionally, after returning to her family’s farm in rural southern Minnesota, outside Minneapolis. Her new music, including her single “Made to Love Someone,” features simple production that puts her vulnerable, ripped-from-her-life lyrics at the forefront. Love is the overarching theme on the album she’s working on for Island Records — not only romantic love, but also, and perhaps more importantly, self-love — and she’s not afraid to mine her own experiences for inspiration, nor to be extremely forthcoming with the details. “The best that I can do,” Graves says, “is just write something that’s completely true to me. How else are people gonna relate to something?”

COLIN BRACEWELL

A Minneapolis-based, Canada-bred singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Colin Bracewell is paving his own pop-folk-rock path within the Midwest music scene. Releasing his debut EP in March of 2024, Bracewell collaborated with Minnesota-based band Bad Bad Hats to result in a catchy blend of indie-rock and intimate ballads. Bracewell has also had several sold-out shows at First Ave's 7th St Entry, airplay on Minnesota's The Current, and recently had his biggest show yet at the Fine Line March 14th for his "Cozy" EP Release. Colin's 4 song EP, Cozy, delivers a taste of genre-hopping songs served with the pop hooks that he is known for. The set was co-produced with Chris Hoge and saw Bracewell exclusively songwriting on each track.

KELLY BADO

Weaving in influences from her African heritage, la chanson française, and American gospel, Kelly Bado is an award-winning artist whose music crosses cultural barriers to bring people together. Kelly boasts a rich portfolio of over 250 performances across Canada and abroad.

Throughout her career, Kelly has cultivated relationships with esteemed mentors. She has shared stages with renowned artists like Alessia Cara, Serena Ryder, and Angélique Kidjo.

Beyond her performances, Kelly's impact extends to her advocacy work, exemplified by her song "Hey Terre," which was embraced by French-speaking schools. Additionally, her collaboration with JUNO award winner Julian Taylor on the track "Good People," released by Indian City, has soared to the #1 spot on the Indigenous Music Countdown.

Looking forward, Kelly is collaborating with producers Brian West and Chin Injeti on her upcoming records, set for release in 2024-2025. West, known for his work with Maroon 5, K'naan and Sia, and Injeti, recognized for collaborations with Eminem, P!nk and Drake.