Leela Gilday

A captivating Dene singer/songwriter, Leela Gilday is a passionate, soulful performer who takes listeners on a journey through a musical world where freedom and joy balance sorrow and injustice.  Her lyrics, reflective of her northern roots, embrace the essence of Dene life from an urban perspective.

She hails from Yellowknife, NWT and is a member of the Dene Nation.  “We have long recognized her as as talented member of our nation,” says Dene National Chief, Bill Erasmus.

Leela Gilday has many national awards to her credit including a Juno and Western Canadian Music Award for her second album Sedzé.  In 2009 she won Best Music Video at the Dreamspeakers Festival in Edmonton AB and in 2008, she received a Fellowship at the Banff Centre for the Arts.  According to Alex Vardy of the Georgia Straight, “Leela Gilday (is) a rising star in the world of aboriginal music and a future pop icon as well.”

Touring has taken Leela from Tokyo to Toronto to Haida Gwaii.  She has toured extensively throughout Canada playing festivals, theatres, ceremonies, and folk clubs.  Performance highlights include the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Vancouver East Cultural Centre, ImagineNATIVE Festival in Toronto, 6th Annual Aboriginal Music Festival in Saskatoon, Canada Day on Parliament Hill, and Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre. Radio and television appearances include CBC Radio (Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe, Sounds Like Canada) and the Aboriginal People’s Television Network (Aboriginal Day Live).

Leela Gilday was recently named Aboriginal Female Entertainer of the Year (2011) by the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards, and was the Musical Director for the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards Finale (2012, CTV).  She released her much anticipated third CD “Calling All Warriors” in July 2010, and it garnered a Western Canadian Music Award, a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award, and an Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award.  She is currently working on her fourth recording, and she performs and tours solo or with a band.

Accolades

  • Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards -Female Entertainer of the Year 2011
  • Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards- Best Female Artist 2010
  • Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards- Best Folk Album 2010
  • Western Canadian Music Awards- Best Aboriginal Recording 2010
  • Juno Award Winner- Aboriginal Recording of the Year 2007
  • Best Music Video Dreamspeakers Festival 2009
  • Western Canadian Music Awards- Best Aboriginal Recording 2007
  • Indian Summer Music Award Winner- Best Folk 2007
  • “Northerner of the Year”- Up Here Magazine 2007
  • Nominee- 3 Aboriginal Peoples’ Choice Music Awards 2007
  • Nominee- 2 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards 2007
  • Nominee-Best Songwriter- Aboriginal- Canadian Folk Music Awards 2007
  • Juno Award Nominee- Best Music of Aboriginal Canada 2003
  • Winner of 3 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards for
  • Best Female Artist, Best Folk Album and Best Songwriter

Discography

  • “Great Canadian Songquest- Road Songs”- copyright 2011 CBC Records (compilation)
  • “Calling All Warriors”- copyright 2009/2010 Diva Sound Records Produced by Adam Popowitz
  • “One Drum”- copyright 2007 Music Video produced by Big Soul Productions
  • “Sedzé” – copyright 2006 Diva Sound. Produced by Teppei Kamei and Leela Gilday
  • “Sweet Rebel Music”-  one song on compilation by Spirit Magazine
  • “Dig Your Roots”- one song on nationally-distributed compilation CD
  • “spirit world, solid wood”- copyright 2002 Diva Sound. Produced by John Switzer
  • “Indian Girl” – copyright 2001 demo at CBC studios
  • “Truly Something” –CBC records compilation
 
 
Launch the full screen media player to hear sample tracks

Albums & Track listings

Buy album Sedze - Leela Gilday

Sedzé

  1. Dene Love Song 4:56
  2. Time Rushes By 2:36
  3. Avoid the Undertow 3:53
  4. If We Were One 5:56
  5. Shine On 4:35
  6. Sing 3:49
  7. Temporary Measure 3:43
  8. Ride HorseMan 4:19
  9. One Drum 4:03
  10. Myself 4:34
  11. Common Goal 4:07
  12. Let Me In 2:22

Buy album Calling All Warriors - Leela Gilday

Calling All Warriors

  1. Listen Sister 4:25
  2. So Many Things 4:16
  3. End of the Day 4:15
  4. Wicked Ways 4:16
  5. Calling All Warriors 5:01
  6. All Alone 3:39
  7. Disappearing Humans 3:04
  8. Rise & Shine 4:20
  9. Piece of My Life 3:37
  10. Both Eyes Open 3:20
  11. Jimmy 4:53
  12. Secret 3:47
  13. One Law 3:29
 

Booking information:

  • Debbie Peters
  • Magnum Opus Management
  • 79 Ponderosa Drive
  • Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, Y1A 5E8
  • Phone: (867) 633-2800 Fax: (867) 668-7854
  • http://www.magnumom.ca/

Diva Sound Records:

  • 4305 School Draw Ave
  • Yellowknife, NT
  • X1A 2K1ph: (867) 444-8431
  • bookleelagilday@gmail.com
 

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Various photos by: Dave Brosha, Nadya Kwandibens, James Kinistino, Jason Shafto, and audience members. Thanks to everyone who has provided these great photos.