Boreal…

is a powerhouse trio of Canadian singer-songwriters Katherine Wheatley, Tannis Slimmon and Angie Nussey. Their new album, “Winterbirds” (March 2025), has earned them Canadian Folk Music Award nominations for Album of the Year, Ensemble of the Year, and Vocal Group of the Year.

Katherine brings warmth, colour, and rhythm on guitar; Tannis holds the heartbeat on percussion, mandolin, and guitar; and Angie adds rich textures on keyboard. With no designated lead singer, Boreal rotates the spotlight, offering a fresh approach to every song through thoughtful arrangements and harmonies.

Their music brings together three distinct voices—Katherine’s is deep, steady and rooted in earthy folk; Tannis’s is ethereal, improvisational and explores sacred soundscapes; Angie is the emotional, untamed force. When they write and arrange their songs, they take advantage of these differences. The result is a unique sound that’s as cohesive as it is surprising.

With roots in Manitoba and the Ontario towns of Parry Sound and Sudbury, Boreal carries the stories of the places that shaped them, the people who touched their hearts, and the music that uplifts their spirits.

In the words of four-time Juno Award-winning songwriter David Francey:
“I’ll give you three good reasons for catching Boreal in concert. There are three wonderful writers in this band, and three beautiful voices. That’s two reasons. The third is the magic that happens when these three women combine those wonderful songs and voices on stage. Each brings their own brilliance to the whole. Magical’s the word. I was transported.”

Boreal first came together in 2006 with a shared vision for Songs for the Snowy Season, a winter-themed show that quickly blossomed into an annual touring tradition across Ontario. Their first album, Winter’s Welcome, followed in 2014. In 2019, after founding member Jude Vadala retired, Angie Nussey joined the group, contributing her own distinctive and creative flair. 

What began as a winter project has gradually grown into a year-round musical collaboration, with the trio now touring and performing together throughout the seasons.

Their latest release, Winterbirds, grew from long-distance collaboration into a powerful creative retreat—three immersive weeks writing and recording at Les Stroud’s home studio near Huntsville, Ontario. The album includes nine originals and a tender Gordon Lightfoot cover, all marked by harmony, heart, and the unmistakable chemistry of a band that listens deeply to one another.

Since the release, Boreal has toured widely across Ontario and Manitoba, bringing Winterbirds to festivals and theatres, including Guelph’s Hillside Festival and Owen Sound’s Summerfolk. With a year-round touring schedule and ever-evolving musical synergy, Boreal continues to connect with audiences through powerful storytelling, shared artistry, and unforgettable live shows.

For more, visit www.borealsongs.ca.