Out Now: New Album & Video!!! 

I'm so excited to share my new album, Stolen Time, out today wherever music is served. Visit this link to listen, buy or order on CD, olive green vinyl or limited edition white vinyl via Outside Music.

Also out today: a new video for acoustic duet "All Dressed Up", shot on location in Austin, TX during SXSW in March 2022.

Finally, in related news, I'm excited to hit the road with my band this spring and summer, including a string of Ontario and Eastern Canada shows with the wonderful Jenny Berkel.

More tour dates and festivals TBA soon -- for the latest please visit www.abigaillapell.com/shows  

I'm so grateful for all the support this project has received so far, to the amazing team who've helped bring these new songs to light, and to all of you for listening, sharing and reading my long-winded updates (in some cases, all the way to the end). It means a lot in these strange times, and at all times. I can't wait to see some of you at a show again some day soon. 

In the meantime, as always, take care and keep in touch. 

Love, 
Abigail

"Land of Plenty" New Song Out Now 

My new song "Land of Plenty" is out today, along with a beautiful visualizer created by Sam Tudor. From the new album Stolen Time, out April 22, 2022 on Outside Music.

I'm proud of how this one turned out. It's a simple song about the hopes and hardships of starting a new life -- inspired in part by my own family's legacy of fleeing the old country as immigrants and refugees, as well as today's ongoing (and worsening) migrant crises. I wrote it a few years back but never quite had a recording or arrangement I was happy with, and wasn't sure if I'd attempt it for this album. We ended up capturing a stripped-down performance in the studio in a couple of live takes, with just vocals and electric guitar, then added some layers of nautical-sounding antique pump organ and accordion. It's one of my favourite songs on the new album (or any of my albums, I think).

New Song & Video Out Now 

Announcing the newest single and video from my upcoming album, Stolen Time, out April 22, 2022 on Outside Music. "Ships" was filmed on location at Montreal's legendary Hotel2Tango recording studio, and features wonderful collaborators Dani Nash (drums) and Dan Fortin (bass). Check out the video and click here to pre-save/pre-order the album on olive green vinyl, CD or digital formats. 

New Song Out Now!!! 

Hey Friends! My brand new version of the iconic song by Creedence Clearwater Revival is out now. Check it out wherever you listen to music and let me know what you think!

I started putting together a Great Canadian Cover Songs playlist featuring some of my favourites (including a bunch of pals) so take a listen and hopefully discover something new.

“Fortunate Son” was written as a protest song about the Vietnam war, and the lyrics touch on the wider power structures and class dimensions of that era. In today’s context, I think the original message still resonates in a different way -- with the movement for climate justice, for example, and how the terror of environmental crisis or the coronavirus pandemic are distributed so unevenly throughout society between the haves and the have-nots.  

I had a great time recording this song with Dan Fortin on bass and Jake Oelrichs on drums, both amazing players and longtime collaborators. We came up with a very minimal arrangement based on this sparse, almost-r-n-b-like guitar groove, and recorded the whole thing live off the floor. I added a bunch of harmony overdubs but otherwise kept it super simple. My aim with this track is to pay homage to a timeless classic while twisting it into something a bit new and unexpected.

Love,
A

Happy Fall, Y'all 

Happy Fall, y’all!!! I have so much to be thankful for for this season -- and a few developments in particular that I'm excited to share: 

First, I've won the 2020 Recording Artist of the Year Award from Folk Music Ontario and ACTRA/RACS!!! Huge congratulations to all this year’s FMO Awards winners (the full list is here) and a big thank you to the FMO board and staff.

Also announced this month, I'm one of six 2020 New Folk winners at the venerable Grassy Hill Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk competition!!! Congrats and virtual hugs to all my new New Folk family (check out the finalists and winners here). 

In other news, I've been selected as one of ten artists in this year's Allan Slaight Juno Master Class long list -- alongside an amazing group of Canadian musicians. You can learn more about the program and the rest of the long list here -- and check out this sweet graphic of me and my Gibson, emerging from some kind of swirling, neon vortex of ROCK AND ROLL. Super excited.

Take care and keep in touch k?

Love,
Abigail

English Songwriter of the Year!!! 


I'm so honoured to have received the 2020 Canadian Folk Music Award for English Songwriter of the Year. Huge congratulations to all the CFMA nominees and recipients this year -- I was so looking forward to seeing everyone in person, and performing with my band, at the awards weekend in Charlottetown, PE, but obviously that wasn't possible this time around. The awards announcement did go live online Saturday night, and I'm really grateful to the staff, volunteers, jurors, and everyone who made this year's virtual proceedings possible. Thanks for supporting Canadian folk music. And a big shout out to the amazing team of collaborators and musicians who were a part of this project. 

Canadian Folk Music Awards Nominations 

I'm so excited to share that my album GETAWAY has been nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards, for Contemporary Album of the Year and English Songwriter of the Year. Huge shout outs to the amazing team that worked on this project, and congratulations to all the nominees. See you April 3-4 at the awards gala in Charlottetown, PEI!! 

Americanafest Showcase // No Depression Singer Songwriter Award 

Happy September!! I'm back from a summer of festivals across Canada, and heading to Nashville this week for AMERICANAFEST. Super excited to visit Music City for the first time!

I play Saturday night with the dreamiest of bands -- Colin Linden on guitar, Gary Craig on drums, Dominic Davis on bass and Rachael Davis singing harmonies -- September 14th, 10-10:45pm at City Winery Lounge.

Then the following weekend I'm at FreshGrass Festival in North Adams, MA, performing as one of three finalists for the prestigious FreshGrass No Depression Singer Songwriter Award. (Read all about it here.)

See some of you on the road! For everyone else, here's a new live video of my song "Shape of a Mountain", shot last spring in the mountains of Ymir, BC:

Spring Updates 

Happy Spring everybody!! I just got back from album launch tours across Western Canada and Ontario, and heading back out for shows in New York and the Northeastern U.S. starting this weekend. Then coast to coast (and back, and forth) for a Spring and Summer packed with festivals and tour dates. 

I'm really excited to be supporting Katie Toupin (formerly of Houndmouth) on a handful of dates in Toronto, Boston, Chicago and Indianapolis this month, then touring across Eastern Canada in June with Winnipeg's Raine Hamilton. 

Check www.abigaillapell.com/shows for a long (long) list of shows and up-to-date updates -- please spread the word if you know anyone who might be interested! And I can't wait to see some of you out on the road! 

In the meantime, here's a new live video of "Halfway to Mexico" -- another road ballad from my new album, GETAWAY -- filmed at our Toronto album launch in February and featuring my dream team of Kelly Lefaive, Dan Fortin, Christine Bougie and Jake Oelrichs. Filmed at the Burdock by Thom Varey / audio by Fedge. Check it out and let me know what you think! 

In other news, Getaway has been getting played across Canada on CBC and college/community radio, and recently hit #1 on the folk/roots/blues Earshot chart. 

The album also has over TWO MILLION streams (!!) on Spotify as of today.

More exciting news(es) to come soon, so stay tuned and keep in touch. Thanks for reading and, as always, if you'd like me to play a show in your town, come visit your radio show, or talk about some kind of thing, please drop me a line -- I'd love to hear from you! 

Love, 
Abigail

NEW VIDEO TODAY + ALBUM LAUNCH TOURS 

I made a music video! Featuring the amazing Dana Sipos, with cameos from producer Chris Stringer and assistant engineer Darren McGill. This is the third and final single from my upcoming new album GETAWAY out February 1st on Coax Records. Thanks to The Bluegrass Situation for debuting the video (and, technically, my directorial debut!) along with some stray thoughts of mine, which can be found HERE. Check it out and let me know what you think!

.

Besides that, if you're in Toronto, click HERE to purchase tickets for our launch show February 27th at the Burdock, and HERE is a Facebook invite if you want to help spread the word. It's going to be a really special performance with a great backing band (Jake Oelrichs, Dan Fortin, Kelly Lefaive, Joelle Westman and surprise special guests) with an opening set by the pop-folk genius of Bird City from Guelph, ON) -- space is limited so book ahead to avoid disappointment!!

If you're in Canada or the Northeastern U.S., I'm coming your way for some solo shows this winter and spring -- check HERE for local listings and stay tuned for more Eastern Canada dates in June, and west coast festivals/shows in July/August. 

(Want me to come play in your town in 2019? I'd love to hear from you.) 

Thanks so much to all of you who have supported this project so far. I can't wait to see some of you out on the road! 

Love, 
Abigail

NEW ALBUM!! // NEW SINGLE!! 

I'm super excited to announce my new album GETAWAY is out February 1st on Coax Records. You can hear the first single “Gonna Be Leaving” now — click the image above or the player below — and pre-order the new record in CD, limited edition vinyl, or digital formats. Stay tuned for coast-to-coast tour dates and festivals across Canada in the 2019.

If you're in Toronto, join us at the Burdock on February 27th 9pm for a full band album launch show featuring many of the fine faces on the recording. For other towns and times check here. More dates TBA!!

The album was produced, recorded and mixed by Chris Stringer at Union Sound in Toronto and mastered by Fedge. It is full of exciting guests including (in alphabetical order) Christine Bougie (lap steel), Lisa Bozikovic (piano, vocals), Rachael Cardiello (viola), Joe Ernewein (pedal steel), Dan Fortin (upright and electric bass), Rebecca Hennessey (trumpet), Aline Homzy (violin), Peggy Lee (cello), Jake Oelrichs (drums), Tom Richards (trombone) and Dana Sipos (sweet harmonies).

Thanks for listening and keep in touch!! xo

SUMMER FESTIVAL DATES 

Super excited to hit the road in my new (super old) camper van for some awesome folk festivals this summer. Visit shows page for up-to-date local listings and more tour dates across Canada.

SPRING SHOWS // ALBUM RECORDING TIMES 

Spring update! This Spring I'm playing shows across Canada and recording a new music album. Stay tuned for summer festival announcements, see here for up-to-date local listings and feel free to drop me a line with any questions or ideas for shows in your town. Till then lots of love (LOL) from cloudy Winnipeg, MB.

Winner of 2017 CFMA for CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!! 

 

I was incredibly honoured to receive Contemporary Album of the Year for Hide Nor Hair at the 2017 Canadian Folk Music Awards last weekend. Thank you to the CFMAs and to all the people who worked on this record -- namely, Chris Stringer, Benjamin Hermann, Rachael Cardiello, Joe Ernewein, Jessica Moore, Mike Eckert and Jeff Fedge Elliott. Congratulations to all the amazing CFMA nominees and winners! 

EUROPE TOUR :: 2017 CANADIAN FOLK MUSIC AWARDS 

Happy September! I'm preparing to hit the road for three weeks of fall tour dates across Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium -- co-billed with the lovely and talented Shawn William Clarke.

We're excited to partner with local community venues like Jukuz (Erlangen, DE), Joe's Garage (Amsterdam, NL), Weltempfanger (Koln, DE) and many house concerts across the region. If you or anyone you know is in the area please check out the dates -- here is a FB event

And if you're in Toronto this weekend, we're playing the Cameron House September 23rd, 6pm with Melanie Brulee, Scarlett Jane, Shawn William Clarke and Darcy Windover. Come out and say "gute Reise"! (That's "bon voyage in" German.) (Side note: I have been learning German. it is SUPER hard! But fun!!) 

In other news, my album Hide Nor Hair was just nominated for two 2017 Canadian Folk Music Awards -- for Contemporary Album of the Year and Contemporary Singer of the year! Congratulations to all the amazing and talented nominees! 

I was also nominated for two Toronto Independent Music Awards, in the Folk/Roots and Best Video categories. Here is the video in question, Night Bird and Morning Bird -- a beautiful small movie created by Montreal's Panadream Theatre. 

Till next time take care and keep in touch. 

Auf wiedersehen, 
A

New Video / Summer Shows 

Hey Friends, I hope your summer is super summery so far. I'm just back from a 4-week tour out west, and I'm excited to share a new live video c/o Montreal's Here On Out sessions -- shot on a beautiful, windy, audio-shredding day in Montreal's Jardin due crepuscule/twilight sculpture garden, one of my favourite local haunts...

 

Tonight I'm playing a few blocks away at another old haunt, Le Cagibi, where I spent so much of my Montreal-dwelling twenties. I'm joined by the breathtaking banjo-and-guitar-wielding Corey Gulkin (and trio), plus sweet songs from local songwriter Sweet Roger. Besides that, there are some really nice shows coming up over the next couple of months around Ontario -- click here for local listings and drop me a line with any questions.

Finally, I am heading to Germany and the Netherlands this fall with lovely Toronto songwriter Shawn William Clarke -- we still have a few dates available, so if you have ideas for venues/house concerts/etc worth checking out I'd love to hear from you! Take care and keep in touch. xx A

Reviews :: New Video on CBC Searchlight  





Click here to see NEW VIDEO on CBC Searchilight
Featuring Laura Spink, Rachael Cardiello and Joe Ernewein
January 20 - HIDE NOR HAIR Album Launch - January 20, 2017 at the Burdock in Toronto. 


Thank you to everyone who came out to and played and/or helped set up shows in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It's been great to be back on the road for the past month. And on the train, where I performed on board, from Toronto to Halifax and back. I also drove out to Folk Alliance International in Kansas City, MO, which was a unique experience filled with amazing music.

My new album HIDE NOR HAIR is out now on COAX Records in CD / VINYL / DIGITAL formats. Some shows coming up in and near Toronto including Canadian Music Week in April. Stay tuned for more spring/fall tour dates.

Take care everybody. 

xo 

P.S, Some lovely reviews of the new album from Exclaim, Folk Radio U.K., Hamilton Spectator and more. I'm also psyched to be among NOW Toronto's "musicians to watch" in 2017. Visit EPK for recent press.

New Video :: New Album :: New Year 

Greetings and happy winter solstice holidays. In these dark times, I bring you a new noir video dreamscape, in vivid greyscale, with thrilling live puppets and animation. I want to thank all the collaborators who put so much thought and work into this project:

Directed by Ian Frigon and Christopher Godziuk. Puppetry by Christopher Godziuk. Filming and Editing by Ian Frigon. Building assistant and 2nd puppeteer for flying sequences #2&9: Céline Cardineau. Tree design and 2nd puppeteer for flying sequences #1,3&4 - Leigh Kotsilidis. 2nd puppeteer for spinning wheel sequence - Glen Williamson. Cloak costumes - Jessica Rae Alley. Little girl - Emerald Skye Lukidis.

Made in Montreal, 2016. 

Music by Abigail Lapell, featuring Benjamin Hermann, Rachael Cardiello and Joe Ernewein. Produced by Chris Stringer. 

My new album HIDE NOR HAIR comes out JANUARY 20, 2017 in CD, VINYL and DIGITAL on COAX RECORDS/OUTSIDE.  
PRE-ORDER THE NEW ALBUM NOW

Have a safe and happy new year everybody.













LOWLANDS TOUR WITH DANA SIPOS 

Hitting the road for a month of northeastern tour dates with the stunning Dana Sipos, with a stop at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference (NERFA). You can learn more - and follow our madcap adventures - on facebook.



Dana Sipos Abigail Lapell
LOWLANDS TOUR

November-December 2016*

11/09 The Range - Ithaca, NY w/ Austin McRae   
11/10-13 NERFA - Stamford, CT  
11/15 The Anchor - Kinston, NY  
11/16 Pauly’s Hotel - Albany, NY w/Siobahn Hotaling  
11/17 118 Elliot - Brattleboro, VT  
11/18 The Barn - Pawlet, VT  
11/19 Skinny Pancake - Hanover, NH w/ The DuPont Brothers  
11/20 Lakehouse - Ashfield, MA w/ Robert Carlton  
11/22 The Burren - Somerville, MA  
11/23 PA’s Lounge - Somerville, MA w/ The Wonderful Thunderbolts  
11/25 Purple Fiddle - Thomas, WV  
11/26 The Orchard Market - Towson, MD w/Simone Baron  
11/27 Bossa Bistro - Washington, DC  
11/29 Radio Bean - Burlington
VT
11/30 Rota Gallery - Plattsburgh, NY w/Christina Nori & SUPER SERIOUS   
12/01 Bad Lunch - Montreal, QC   
12/02 Cagibi - Montreal, QC w/Common Holly & Fruiting Bodies   
12/03 Bar Robo - Ottawa, ON w/ Moonfruits   
12/04 Brooke Valley - Perth, ON   
12/07 Monarch Tavern - Toronto, ON w/ Benjamin Hermann


* this is a rare early version of the poster in which I included the wrong year...