Irene Poole is a Banff-born, Calgary-based singer-songwriter and actor. She has captivated audiences with her nature-inspired indie-folk, full of heartfelt lyrics and angelic melodies. Her debut album, The Mountains and The Sea, charted at #13 on CKUA and was nominated for a YYC Music Award for Folk Recording of the Year. Irene is the 2025 recipient of the YYCMA Prophets of Music Emerging Artist Award. Irene has performed at the Canmore Folk Fest, ArtsPlace, and numerous lounges and coffee shops, with over 75 live performances in 2025. She has shared stages with great Canadian songwriters like Catherine MacLellan and Danny Michel, and provided support on a HomeRoutes tour through northern AB with Taylor Abrahamse.
Irene can also be found singing with The Three Sisters, a new, Bow-Valley-based harmony trio. This trio combines the talents of singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Heather Jean Jordan, Irene Poole, and Ji Won Baxter. Named for Alberta’s iconic mountain range and driven by story, rich harmonies and inventive instrumentation underpin brilliant original songs inspired by folk, jazz, and opera.
As an actor, Irene has performed across Western Canada, from puppetry to Shakespeare, and beyond. Through acting, singing, and playing her ukuleles, Irene aims to be a storyteller in everything she does.
Name:
Irene Poole
Genre:
Folk/Singer-songwriter
Founded:
2017
# of Albums:
1
Latest Album:
The Mountains and The Sea
Latest Single:
Golden Boy off of my album, and stay tuned for new music coming soon!
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
Joni Mitchell
Favourite musician now:
Brandi Carlile
Guilty pleasure song:
A Musical from Something Rotten, the musical, gotta rep my theatre kid roots!
Live show ritual:
I usually have a tea with honey on the go, do a few vocal warmups in the car, and then I just get out there and have fun! No two shows are quite the same, and that’s the magic of live performance.
Favourite local musician:
Wyatt C. Louis
EP or LP?
LP, the ritual of listening to a full album is something special when you have the time for it. And, as a songwriter, I love the narrative possibilities of an LP.
Early bird or night owl?
Night owl
Road or studio?
Road, live performance is where it’s at!
Any shows or albums coming up?
Trio show, The Three Sisters in concert @ Canmore Brewing co. w/ Kyle Pullan, March 15
More shows and updates on new music can be found on my website
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | Bandcamp | YouTube
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Mestizo tacos in Kensington
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
17th Ave, it’s got great restaurants, thrift/vintage spots, and it reminds me how vibrant Calgary can feel.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
Prince’s Island Park and the river pathways nearby it, especially in warmer weather, I love to go for a walk and say hi to all the dogs and friendly folks out enjoying the natural beauty of the city.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
I did my album release at the Limber Hollow, and I love how they’ve cultivated such a cozy space with great sound that supports many local musicians.
What is your favourite music store in your city?
I’m at a Long & McQuade pretty often for all sorts of things, and they’re always helpful with gear rentals and checking out shiny new instruments (do I need an eighth ukulele? Probably not. Do I want another? Yes!). As far as record stores go, Hot Wax in Kensington has a great selection to browse, and I’ve found some gold in their used CD selection, too.
