2017 Juno-nominated songwriter Maria Dunn draws deeply on the folk tradition of storytelling through song. Melding North American roots music with her Scottish-Irish heritage, she sings about the resilience and grace of “ordinary” people, past and present. Her latest recording Gathering (Nominee - 2017 Juno Award, Nominee - 2017 WCMA, Winner - Edmonton Music Prize) celebrates love—the love of family, community, and humanity that connects us and fires our actions to make the world a better place. Her previous album Piece By Piece (Nominee – 2013 Canadian Folk Music Award) pays tribute to immigrant women working at a Western Canadian clothing factory. Maria's other independent CDs include The Peddler (Nominee – 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award) and For A Song (Nominee – 2002 Juno Award), all produced by Shannon Johnson (of 2007 Juno-winning band The McDades).

In addition to developing and touring four multimedia people’s history shows, On The River (with Indigenous women’s trio Asani), Packingtown, GWG: Piece by Piece, and Troublemakers: Working Albertans, 1900 – 1950, with videographer Don Bouzek, Maria performs (solo, duo, ensemble) at festivals and theatres in Canada, Europe (UK/Ireland Tour 2017, 2015; Netherlands Tour 2011, 2010) and the USA. Media features include Bravo TV (The Carol Project), CBC National Radio (Sunday Edition), CKUA Alberta, BBC Radio Scotland. Her songs are published in the Rise Again songbook, Sing Out! and Penguin Eggs magazines and recorded by other artists including Niamh Parsons, The Outside Track, Bob Bossin.

www.mariadunn.com

…remarkable singer-songwriter, think of her as a distaff Woody Guthrie. – Mike Ross, Edmonton Sun

An arrestingly powerful singer-songwriter from Canada who writes great historical and social commentary. – Rich Warren, WFMT Chicago and Sing Out! Magazine

A wonderful collection of new songs from one of our most important and vital songwriters… Essential listening, then, this Gathering. – Roddy Campbell, Penguin Eggs Magazine

Daydreamers is more than just an album, it's the diary of two travelers, one from Canada and the other from Germany. For some years, David Celia & Marla (Marlene Winkler) have been going on long tours together, then settling down in Toronto to reflect and write songs. Filled with nostalgia and confidence, the two have explored many lands, playing over 200 shows throughout Europe, Canada & Russia with their voices and guitars. The eleven songs on their first joint record are also eleven musical postcards for anyone who has ever dreamt of being on the move. Their vocal harmonies blend together with hints of 60’s folk, yet remain timeless and make you want to sing along.

Their first co-write, Lover of Mine is an outlook on their relationship and the challenges of relationships in general. In this song, they fantasize about a bright future together whilst maintaining a realistic attitude. Warming Words, All In Rhyme & Where Are you share similar sentiments which include confronting issues before they arise and missing each other when apart.

The first album track on Daydreamers was inspired by Pete Seeger’s collection of songbooks entitled “Carry It On!”. Pete’s passion for everyone to sing together as a metaphor for his hope to have world peace. The music and words to this song and others including Luddite Blues were an unconscious response to this philosophy.

Socially critical lyrics, driving melodies, wistful words about overseas romances; this is how Marla & David Celia playfully take you on a colorful ride through their delightful debut album.
They both share a similar passion for realizing gratitude towards things that come their way. Creating and performing music is the greatest way to express this as it’s what brought them together in the first place.

And so they choose to bring this music to listeners here, there and everywhere by touring
around the globe.

- “Close your eyes and you could be sitting on a rocking chair on a 70’s Laurel Canyon porch” Tim Merrick (americana-uk.com)

- “A trademark of the duo is pure, crafted folk" - Matthias Haag (journalist)