Vancouver-based alt-country singer/songwriter Leah Barley was born in Saskatchewan and raised in Ontario where she spent the summers barefoot and surrounded by music at her family cottage in Muskoka. Acting and dancing since grade school, it wasn’t until she moved to Canmore, Alberta in her early twenties that she experienced and fell in love with bluegrass and old-time country music. After buying herself a banjo, she was writing and performing at open mics within two months and has been on a roll ever since.
With over 15 years of performing under her belt and touring parts of Canada, most recently performing at Woodstove Festival, The Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival, and Dunn Folkin Around, she’s also played at JUNOfest (2018) and at CBC Music in Vancouver (2017 & 2016). You can find Leah performing solo or with her band, Ross Fairbairn on stand-up bass, Tom Tischer on drums, and Allan Haley on pedal steel guitar and electric guitar, all over Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Name:
Leah Barley
Genre:
Alt-country
Founded:
2010
# of Albums:
1 full album, 4 ep’s
Latest Album:
Awkward & Heartbroken (EP) Feb 2025
Latest Single:
Pack My Bags
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
David Wilcox, CCR, Neil Young (I was raised on Dock Rock)
Favourite musician now:
I have way too many, it really depends on the day! Dope Lemon, Kurt Vile, Elise LeBlanc, The Olympians, Linda Ronstadt, Noga Erez. I love all kinds of music!
Guilty pleasure song:
Groove Is In The Heart, Deee-lite
Live show ritual:
Herbal tea, vocal warm-ups, and pee like four times.
Favourite local musician:
Coco Jafro if I want to dance, Ian Badger if I want to cry, Pony Gold for epic vocals, Bob Sumner for country cuts, and Spank Williams for the shenanigans
EP or LP?
LP, I like going on an adventure with an artist.
Early bird or night owl?
A happy medium of both. I’m also the queen of naps.
Road or studio?
They are both so amazing! One is all about sharing and one is about creating. I’m so stoked to do both.
Any shows or albums coming up?
My little EP Awkward & Heartbroken just came out. I’ll be on May 1 at the Heatley and May 22 at Green Auto for Let’s Go, Girls, a night celebrating women and queer voices in country music.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
East is East
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Commercial Drive, you always see a familiar face
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
Trout Lake, for the dog park and the farmers market in the summer!
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
Guilt & Co, the Heatley, Green Auto, the Wise Hall
What is your favourite music store in your city?
Rufus Guitars!
