Five Minutes With: Calgary-based Folk Singer-Songwriter Sonia Deleo

Sonia Deleo is a Calgary-based singer, songwriter, actor, RMT & mom of two, known for her comedic banter and dynamic vocal range. After showcasing at Canadian Music Week (Toronto) in June 2024, Sonia and her band, endearingly named The New Dads, will subsequently be found at The Aviary (Edm), The Canmore Folk Festival, and Jasper Folk Music Festival, among other dates this year. Sonia’s debut LP Love Notes To The Monsters (produced by Calgary’s Russell Broom) was nominated for Folk Recording of The Year at the 2023 YYC Music Awards. She is currently adding “playwright” to the list by writing a one-woman musical for Handsome Alice Theatre, to be included in their spring 2025 season.

Sonia Deleo

Name:

Sonia Deleo

Genre:

Folk/Rock/Pop

Founded:

1984 😉

# of Albums:

2

Latest Album:

Love Notes To The Monsters

Latest Single:

Remind Me That I’m Crazy

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

Celine Dion

Favourite musician now:

Fiona Apple

Guilty pleasure song:

Hakuna Matata!

Live show ritual:

I talk to my late Grandfather, a big band drummer, and ask him to drop me a sick beat. (I’ve never told anyone that!)

Favourite local musician:

There are many. But a current fave is Maclayne.

EP or LP?

Both!

Early bird or night owl?

Big-time early bird. I operate best in the morning and am very much not a partier, so for that reason, I try hard to play mostly early evening shows.

Road or studio?

Road! They’re such different experiences and I love both, but the road & the stage…that’s where I feel most at home.

Any shows or albums coming up?

I have lots of shows this summer, all over the province; the Canmore Folk Festival and Jasper Folk Music Festival being two notable ones. I am writing a one-woman musical for Handsome Alice Theatre here in Calgary that will run in spring 2025. And I will be working on a new album over the course of this year for release in mid-2025. More live show info and a mailing list option can be found at my website.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

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Rapid Fire Local Questions

What is your favourite local restaurant?

Annabelle’s Kitchen in Marda Loop has become a fave this last couple of years.

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

10th St NE in Bridgeland between 2nd & 5th Ave…the way the old trees create a romantic tunnel over those two blocks in the summer & fall is just dreamy.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Riley Park holds all sorts of nostalgia for me. I grew up in Ontario but we’d take summer road trips to Calgary to visit family and I have great memories of us all hanging out at the pool.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

Tough question, but I love the Blues Can. I haven’t even played there! Just love the history, the vibe and the dancing.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

Hands down, the 58th Ave Long & McQuade. The rental folks there are like family now, and I always feel well taken care of.

 

About Emilea Semancik 160 Articles
Emilea Semancik was born in North Vancouver. Emilea has always always wanted to work as a freelance writer and currently writes for the Vancouver Guardian. Taking influence from journalism culture surrounding the great and late Anthony Bourdain, she is a recipe author working towards publishing her own series of books. You can find her food blog on Instagram: