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OUR MUSIC FESTIVAL, A CELEBRATION OF FEMALE AND GENDER-DIVERSE MUSIC, RETURNS FOR THE SECOND EDITION AT TORONTO’S GREAT HALL ON  FRIDAY, MARCH 7th

OUR MUSIC FESTIVAL, A CELEBRATION OF FEMALE AND GENDER-DIVERSE MUSIC, RETURNS FOR THE SECOND EDITION AT TORONTO’S GREAT HALL ON  FRIDAY, MARCH 7th

Our Music Festival is thrilled to announce its second annual event, taking place on Friday, March 7th, at Toronto’s Great Hall. This year’s festival will feature an exciting lineup of talented artists, including Kinnie Starr, CJ Wiley, Irene Torres, Semiah, Lala Noel, R. Flex, Cris Derksen, and Sarah MacDougall. Hosted by artistic director and festival founder Andrea Ramolo, the event promises to be a memorable celebration of diverse musical talent. “I am beyond thrilled for the love and support this little but powerful festival is getting,” shares Ramolo, who started the festival in hopes of addressing the gender disparity issue that continues to exist in the music industry. The evening will also feature special performances by Honey Jam alumni, Kiza and Earth 2 Tiffany. Tickets are on sale NOW.

“Performing at Our Music Festival means being part of a space where women and gender-diverse people can be heard, without having to fit into anyone’s box,” shares singer-songwriter CJ Wiley. “As a non-binary person, I know how meaningful it is to see others who share similar experiences taking up space on stage. It’s about challenging the norms and being part of a platform where our diverse identities aren’t just seen, but embraced for all that they are.”

The inaugural festival featured Tanika Charles, Brenley, Caroline Marie Brooks, Melissa McClelland, Mimi O’Bonsawin, Skye Wallace, Tania Joy, Amanda Rheaume, and Yarro. “Last year’s artists shared with me that the festival was a true highlight for them and one of the most beautiful festivals they’ve been a part of. And that is what I’m trying to help facilitate – a new and powerful space where we lift each other up and feel supported and celebrated,” says Ramolo.

The festival offers something for everyone’s musical palate, and Andrea Ramolo feels incredibly fortunate to have Kinnie Starr on board. This isn’t their first collaboration, as they previously teamed up on the beautiful single “Free” (co-written with JUNO Award winner Hill Kourkoutis), which was featured on Ramolo’s 2021 album Quarantine Dream. “I lost my dad three years ago, and my little brother to fentanyl before that, so I barely play shows these days. Plus, a brain injury has really impacted my abilities since 2015.” shares Kinnie Starr, who was part of the original Lilith Fair lineup. “But I couldn’t say no to this women-centered festival – it’s important to nourish supportive environments. I’m also pumped to witness some of these incredible artists. It’s inspiring to see others shine.”

2025 FESTIVAL LINE UP 

CJ WILEY 

Tearing through Toronto on a wave of breezy, gripping slacker rock, non-binary singer-songwriter CJ Wiley doesn’t waste any time. In ballads with a touch of country and anthems that nod to grunge, Wiley’s music leads with their distinct voice, armed with wit, candour, and the energy of an artist with a striking perspective and a heart that demands to be heard. 2025 will mark the release of So Brand New, Wiley’s debut full-length LP. Filled with stories of fresh starts, loss, gender, and the cost of living, the record is a bold new step for Wiley, with a sound that ranges from campfire melancholy to anthemic ballads, just a few speakers shy of a stadium. It’s a raw, roots-rock revelation carving out a clear path into the future—and they’re bringing you with them.

CRIS DERKSEN

Juno nominated Cris Derksen is an Internationally respected Indigenous Cellist and Composer. Originally from Treaty 8 in Northern Alberta, she comes from NorthTall Cree Reserve on her father’s side and Mennonite homesteaders on her mother’s. Derksen braids the traditional and contemporary, weaving her classical background and her Indigenous ancestry together with new school electronics to create genre-defying music. Her compositional strength lies in her diversity for all artistic fields including: Dance, Theatre, Film, Television, Animation, Fashion, Podcasts, Symphonic, Chamber, Choral, and Installations. She performs as soloist-composer for Symphonies and Chamber Orchestra’s across Canada and has been commissioned by the Calgary Philharmonic, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Thunder Bay Symphony and Orchestre Metropolitan- Yannick Nézet- Séguin. Her most recent accomplishments include her Carnegie Hall Debut with a new symphony piece commissioned by Orchestre Metropolitan and a new Ballet with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Symphony. Derksen was the composer for the Canadian Pavilion for the World Expo in Dubai in 2022 and her work on the Podcast Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s by Connie Walker and Gimlet media won both a Pulitzer and Peabody. Recent concert destinations include Carnegie Hall NYC, Norway, Chile, Hong Kong, Australia, Mongolia, Europe and a whole lot of Canada: the place Derksen refers to as home.

IRENE TORRES

Peruvian Canadian vocalist and visual artist Irene Torres is a dynamic frontwoman celebrated for her powerful voice and emotive performances. As the lead vocalist for the Afro-Cuban rock band Battle of Santiago, she has toured internationally, captivating audiences with her performances in Spanish, English. The band’s latest album, *Santos Y Pecadores* (Saints and Sinners), has further cemented their reputation in the global music scene.

Deeply influenced by her Peruvian heritage, Irene’s latest solo project includes new album *Travesía* (Voyage), released with independent label VMI. This album, featuring traditional Peruvian instrumentation and personal storytelling, highlights Irene’s artistic growth and unwavering dedication to her cultural roots.

Her versatile career spans various genres and ensembles. From the Latin flamenco fusion of “Santerias” to her original blues and soul group, Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils, her performances are always marked by a soulful and passionate delivery. Irene is currently developing a new Peruvian Chicha music record with support from the Toronto Arts Council.

KINNIE STARR

Kinnie Starr has been blazing her own influential trail since 1996, blending sounds with strong personal style and an eagle-eyed vision of society. She was nominated for a Juno in 2004 as Best New Artist. She is acknowledged as one of British Columbia’s Most Interesting People by the Royal British Museum of Victoria, BC (2008) and earned a Juno Award as a producer on Digging Roots’ album, We Are (2010). 

Starr is the published author and illustrator of How I Learned to Run, House Of Parlance (2008) and is recognized as a Pioneer in Canadian Hip Hop by Manifesto Hip Hop Summit, Toronto (2011). She co-wrote, conceived of, and executive produced the feature film, Play Your Gender (2016), and has 8 studio albums under her belt. 

LALA NOEL

Blending her soulful vocals with elevated harmony, Lala Noel has lent her voice, and rhythm guitar playing to a number of both local and international acts, including the likes of Aysanabee, Patrick Watson, Alessia Cara, July Talk, Zaki Ibrahim, Rich Aucoin, The Queer Songbook Orchestra and Melbourne based rock band Kingswood. The young artist’s debut solo album “Edible Flowers” was released under her given name Kyla Charter, in the Spring of 2022 with support from the Ontario Arts Council and was welcomed with open arms into rotation nationally on CBC Radio. In addition to being a featured artist at the Toronto International Jazz Festival, Mariposa Folk Festival, Hillside Festival and more. Noel also found time to perform and arrange vocals on Shakura Saida’s 2023 Juno award nominated “Hold On To Love”, Aysanabee’s 2023 Juno Award-nominated “Watin”, and has most recently co-written and co-produced on 2024 Juno award winning Alternative Album of the year “Here and Now”

While embarking on a Canada Council funded project writing music based on the lives of her grandmothers, the Humber College Jazz alumnus was thrust into the rich and heavy soil of her lineage. Determined to honour the women of her family tree, she has emerged as Lala Noel; a new bud on a familiar branch.

R. FLEX

Meet cheeky R&B creator, R. Flex. They dare to change the shape of R&B, blending in electronic sounds and pop hooks. Channelling the impish spirit of Janet Jackson, Tinashe, and Kelela, they push the genre’s BPM to exciting places. Their commitment to storytelling through music and fashion explores intimacy, self-discovery, and identity. They challenge traditional narratives of love and self-love, creating safe spaces for queer joy and expression. As a Black non-binary transfemme, authenticity is at the core of their work. 

Their high-energy 2022 EP Flex With Benefits earned praise from Exclaim, Bandcamp, and The Star. Featuring collaborations with Tafari Anthony and Desiire, the EP explored queer desire and empowerment. Tracks like ‘Too Late,’ ‘4U,’ and ‘DNA’ earned global recognition, appearing on queer playlists in Amsterdam, Toronto, and New York. 

In their second EP of 2022, Once Upon A Flex, R. Flex slowed the BPM but heightened the vulnerability, garnering critical acclaim from Earmilk as a trailblazer. As one of the first artists to perform at Club Quarantine, their electrifying performances solidified them as an underground star in the making. They’ve opened for artists like Haiku Hands, Khalifa, and Shad with a flair that continues to make its mark. Distinct and forward-thinking, you have every reason to Check The Flex.

SARAH MACDOUGALL

Sarah MacDougall is a Swedish-born, Canada-based, multiple award-winning singer/songwriter, producer and composer. She has released four albums and has toured extensively across North America and Europe. Rootstime Belgium called her ‘one of the greatest talents of this era’.

Sarah has played many international festivals, including Iceland Airwaves, Edmonton Folk Festival, Isle of Wight, Reeperbahn, and has shared the stage with artists such as Tallest Man on Earth, Passenger, and many more. She is currently working on her fifth album, which will be released in 2025.

SEMIAH

As a deluge of artists seek to be the next viral sensation, Semiah is a breath of fresh mountain air. She’s as at home on stage—where she’s spent 20 of her 25 years—as she is chopping firewood or in bejeweled glam on the dancefloor. Semiah is a next-generation Mohawk Alt Pop artist-producer, video director and dance choreographer creating the compelling stories, iconic melodies, alt pop punk grooves and sonic & visual designs that are the backbone to her commanding, resonant voice.

Regularly receiving ovations and encores for her live performances, Semiah moves effortlessly from intimate acoustic club shows to epic multi-media theatre concerts that feature dancers, visuals, full band, and electronic tracks. Recent highlights include Fusion Festival mainstage in B.C. and the International Indigenous Music Summit in Toronto. She’s a flirty dervish story-teller who can tear your heart out with side eye giggle – with a spiritual depth that belies her age.  

Semiah’s latest single ‘Withdrawals’, is paired with her self-directed & choreographed video that was selected for Finland’s 2025 Skabmagovat Indigenous People’s Film Festival and features native powerpuff Charlie’s Angels characters and a Katana sword fight. Debut single ‘Nothing Can Kill My Love for You’ garnered 100,000 streams and tracks from debut EP ‘After The Night Ends’ continue to be featured on CBC radio programs AfterDark, Drive with Rich Terfry and Here & Now. New EP release LVR GRL dropping May 2025.

ANDREA RAMOLO
(Festival Founder and Artistic Director) 

Andrea Ramolo is a long-time Canadian touring and recording artist, a multiple Canadian Folk Music Award nominee, an award-winning filmmaker, and an actor, host, and educator. As a musician and songwriter, she released her first of 8 studio records in 2008 and has toured nationally and internationally ever since, earning accolades along the way. In 2023, she released an ancestral Italian electronic folk album with Italian band Kalàscima and hit the stages of major Canadian folk festivals like Calgary Folk Fest, Mariposa, Vancouver Folk Fest, Harbourfront Centre, Northern Lights, Ness Creek, Sunfest, and Montreal’s Italfest to name a few.  

Her more recent single “GOLDEN” was used in a powerful montage to open the CBC coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. She has served on music industry panels, has been a songwriting mentor at Song Studio, has led workshops via the Songwriter’s Association of Canada, and more. 

Andrea is also the artistic director of a brand new Toronto music festival called Our Music Festival – boasting a lineup that celebrates female and gender-diverse voices only. Having had a hand in producing large multi-artist and multidisciplinary events in the past, Andrea decided she wanted to help instigate more change for her peers in the music industry and be a part of the initiative to address the gender disparity that continues to be an issue.

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About The Author

Jesse Read

Jesse Read is a videographer, writer and editor for Dropout Entertainment. As a musician as well as a videographer, Jesse has travelled the country numerous times, playing alongside and listening to the stories of hundreds of artists. A few of those are documented on this site. For video's, interviews & features follow the contact us tab!

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