A multifaceted artist, Dahlia Wakefield is a powerhouse singer-songwriter, performer, recording artist, session and backup singer, mentor, agent, band leader, vocal coach, promoter, but most importantly, mother to two beautiful girls. Blending soaring vocals with heartfelt storytelling, she embodies the phrase “a little bit country and a whole lot of rock and roll.”
Dahlia’s current rock single, “Light of the Phoenix,” was released on May 18, 2026, as the fourth single from her upcoming album Phoenix Rising, due for release in the Fall of 2026. The empowering anthem is accompanied by an official music video filmed on location in the breathtaking landscapes of Ashcroft, British Columbia. Since its release, the single has been gaining international attention, earning radio airplay throughout the United Kingdom and media coverage in Belgium and Greece, while continuing to build momentum across Canada and beyond.
Her recent achievements have also garnered multiple nominations through the 2026 International Singer Songwriter Association (ISSA) Awards, including becoming a finalist in these categories: International Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Rising Star, Female Songwriter of the Year, Female Emerging Artist, and Female Single of the Year for her previous release, “Well Dressed Lies.”
Dahlia’s musical journey began at the age of five, and she has performed professionally for more than 20 years. A graduate with Distinction from Grant MacEwan University’s Music Program, majoring in Vocal Performance, she has also worked as a professional vocal and beginner piano coach since 2011.
Whether performing on major festival stages, singing intimate shows in retirement homes, recording in the studio, or supporting fellow artists as a session and backup vocalist, Dahlia brings passion, authenticity, and professionalism to every performance. She has released three solo albums and numerous singles, earning songwriting accolades that include finalist placements in international competitions and collaborations with acclaimed songwriters and artists.
Dahlia currently performs with several bands and projects, including the Dahlia & Alan Duo, hard rock band Kerosene, casino entertainment act Dahlia & The Villains, and occasionally with 80s metal cover band Shocker. She has been a member of country-rock band Dirt Road Angels since 2013, releasing multiple albums and singles while opening for major country acts. She also performs with Twilight Time, a tribute to The Platters and classic doo-wop music. Her Heart tribute band, Brigade, will open for Colin James, Nick Gilder of Sweeney Todd, The Headpins, and Honeymoon Suite at Cornstock 2026 in Taber, Alberta, on July 25, 2026.
A career highlight came on New Year’s Eve 2023, when Dahlia and her band performed for more than 10,000 people in Churchill Square in Edmonton. She describes the experience of sharing her original music with such a large audience as both exhilarating and unforgettable. In February 2023, Dahlia was selected from a large pool of singers to perform as backup vocalist for the legendary Canadian rock band Toronto during their Calgary concert, an honour she repeated in Edmonton in February 2025 and was also asked again in 2026, but was already booked.
On March 11, 2024, Dahlia released “Still Waters,” a song that earned a Josie Music Award nomination for songwriting in Nashville. The track was co-written with Kevin Frey, who also co-wrote much of the material featured on upcoming album ‘Phoenix Rising’.
Since 2020, Dahlia has released a steady stream of singles including “You Don’t Get To Win,” “Visiting Hours,” “Poison” (an Alice Cooper cover), “Now’s the Time,” “Still Waters,” “Dreams of Yesterday,” “Queen of Overthinking,” “Goodbye,” “Well Dressed Lies,” and “Light of the Phoenix.” She recently signed a one-song label deal with Skyrocket Records and continues to receive critical acclaim from music publications and media outlets, including Canadian Beats, Cashbox, Tinnitist, Record World International, and numerous other international media platforms, including some in Greece and Belgium.
Music is more than a career for Dahlia—it’s a lifelong passion. As she continues to perform, record, and teach, she inspires others to pursue their dreams while proving that determination, perseverance, and passion can turn dreams into reality at any stage of life.
Name:
Dahlia Wakefield
Genre:
Rock, Alternative Rock
Founded:
2000 is when I truly became a professional musician (after graduating from Grant MacEwan University’s Music Program)
# of Albums:
3 solo albums with another one on the way; 3 with the band “Dirt Road Angels”
Latest Album:
“Phoenix Rising” due out in the Fall of 2026
Latest Single:
Light of the Phoenix
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
I love music from different genres, but have always loved the band “Heart” and, second, “Fleetwood Mac”.
Favourite musician now:
I love hard rock female-fronted “Halestorm,” but also love Taylor Swift, as my vocal students are always singing her music, and I have learned to love her stuff.
Guilty pleasure song:
Currently, it is “The Fate of Ophelia” by Taylor Swift
Live show ritual:
I used to have a bath with candles, then do warmups as I was doing my makeup; now my life is a bit different … now I just warmup/hum my songs that I need to go over in the car to the gig! lol
Favourite local musician:
Stephanie Harpe – she speaks up for many important causes, and we support each other’s gigs and music 100%
EP or LP?
I’ve always loved LPs as it seems you get a closer, more definitive look into who the artist truly is. More music, more content – I love it. My new conceptual album “Phoenix Rising” will be either a 10- or 11-song LP – I just haven’t decided at this point how many tracks will make the final cut. However, I’ve released a couple EPs before – both solo and with my country/rock band Dirt Road Angels.
Early bird or night owl?
I am 100% a night owl. Everyone has a different circadian rhythm; I knew in my teens that I preferred to stay up late, which is in line with being a musician, as sometimes we work at our performances until at least 2 AM or even later in some instances. I can wake up super early if needed, but tend to work into the wee hours as that’s when it’s quiet, and I get my best ideas.
Road or studio?
I adore both. I love to travel to performances and check out the different towns/cities (more so when someone else is driving LOL), but lately my happy place is in the studio where I can truly create, layer and hear my song creations come to life!!! I can’t wait to finally finish my album!
Any shows or albums coming up?
I have a conceptual album called “Phoenix Rising” due out in the Fall of 2026 – it explores some of the darker sides of life, including narcissistic abuse, domestic violence and parental alienation, as well as themes of resilience, healing and transformation. I do have an upcoming show that I’m excited about – Cornfest 2026. My Heart tribute band, Brigade, will be opening for Colin James, Honeymoon Suite, The Headpins, and Nik Gilder. All my other shows can be found on my website.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Reverbnation | LinkedIn | TikTok | Linktree
Other band websites I’m a part of: Shocker, Dirt Road Angels and Brigade
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
I don’t have just one favourite – I have many; here are a few: I love Brown’s Social House, The Keg, Boston Pizza, and when in Edmonton, Sicilian Pasta Kitchen and Franco’s.
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
I actually live in Stony Plain these days and love 48th Street, which is also Highway 779 (also known as the Fifth Meridian), which is along the route where I live on an acreage and also where I teach music at KPA Music. In Calgary, I love visiting 17th Avenue; In Edmonton, where I used to live, I love both 124th Street as well as Whyte Ave – all these places have a vibrant music and amazing food culture.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
In Stony Plain, I love Heritage Park, where I have performed many times in different bands at the “Blueberry Stage”. In Edmonton, I have always loved Hawrelak Park, especially during Heritage Days in August with all the different cultures, and in Calgary, I love Heritage Park, where I once performed at Gasoline Alley with the Dirt Road Angels – it was a very cool museum. I have a profound appreciation for the bygone eras of the past.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
My favourite music venue in Stony Plain is the “Blueberry Stage”. In Edmonton, it is the iconic Blues on Whyte/The Commercial where I perform regularly on both the main stage and on the patio, and in Calgary, I love performing at Deerfoot Casino. I must mention, however, just outside Calgary, I love performing at “Langdon Firehouse,” where I have had a blast performing a couple times with my Heart Tribute Band, Brigade.
What is your favourite music store in your city?
My favourite music store is Long & McQuade, where they have a great selection of musical instruments to rent or purchase. I’ve received some great deals there in the past.
