Amanda Rheaume

Amanda Rheaume (born May 25, 1982) is a Métis folk singer-songwriter from Canada.[1]

Amanda Rheaume
Amanda Rheaume at Kranhaus Elmshorn, April 2016
Amanda Rheaume at Kranhaus Elmshorn, April 2016
Background information
Birth nameAmanda Rheaume
Born (1982-05-25) May 25, 1982
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
OriginOttawa, Ontario, Canada
GenresAmericana, folk
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, artist manager, label owner
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active2003–present
Labels
  • Universal Music Canada
  • Ishkode Records
Websitewww.amandarheaume.com

Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario,[2] Rheaume is a Citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario with Objiwe/Anishinaabe ancestors from Lac Seul, Ontario.[3] She is the granddaughter of Eugène Rhéaume, one of Canada's first Métis Members of Parliament.

Career

Rheaume released a number of EPs, and contributed a song to the 2003 Ottawa compilation Ottawa Indie Vibe,[4] before releasing her full-length debut album Light of Another Day in 2011.[5] She supported the album with her first major national concert tour.[6] She also travelled to Afghanistan on several occasions to perform for servicemen in the Canadian military during the War in Afghanistan,[7]

After delving into her family history in more depth, she began writing songs inspired by her Métis heritage on her 2013 album Keep a Fire.[8] The album won the Canadian Folk Music Award for Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year at the 10th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2014,[9] and was a Juno Award nominee for Aboriginal Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2014.[10]

In 2016 she followed up with Holding Patterns,[11] which was a CFMA nominee for Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year at the 12th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2016.[12]

In 2018, she performed the songs "Now for Plan A" and "The Stranger" at a Gord Downie tribute concert.[3]

In 2019 she released her fourth album, The Skin I'm In.[13]

In 2021, Rheaume and ShoShonna Kish of the band Digging Roots cofounded Ishkōdé Records,[14] which releases music by Rheaume, Digging Roots, and singer-songwriters Aysanabee and Morgan Toney.[15]

Her 2022 album The Spaces in Between was produced by Hill Kourkoutis.[16] She received her third CFMA nomination for Indigenous Songwriter of the Year at the 18th Canadian Folk Music Awards in 2023.[17]

Rheaume is director of operations for the International Indigenous Music Summit,[16] and project coordinator for the creation of a National Indigenous Music Office.[18]

Discography

EPs
  • Unravelling (2003)[2]
  • Even When (2005)[19]
  • If You Never Live (2007)[20]
  • Kiss Me Back (2009)[21]

Albums
  • Light of Another Day (2011)
  • Keep a Fire (2013)
  • Holding Patterns (2016)
  • The Skin I'm In (2019)
  • The Spaces in Between (2022)

References
  1. Lynn Saxberg (May 25, 2022). "Amanda Rheaume talks about new album, decolonizing the music industry". Ottawa Citizen.
  2. Wes Smiderle, "Songs in the key of life". Ottawa Citizen, June 5, 2003.
  3. Glenn Wilkins, "Rheaume to sing out at Downie tribute concert". Barrie Today, January 24, 2018.
  4. Wes Smiderle, "New CD helps give area artists a boost". Ottawa Citizen, April 4, 2003.
  5. Peter Simpson, "Songwriter changes her tune; Amanda Rheaume strips down sound to deliver 'authentic' album". Vancouver Sun, September 6, 2011.
  6. Hamish MacLean, "Rheaume roots down". Bow Valley Crag and Canyon, September 14, 2011.
  7. Aedan Helmer, "The road is inspiration for Amanda Rheaume". Sault Star, November 29, 2013.
  8. Laura Stradiotto, "'Keep a Fire': New album rooted with family history". Sudbury Star, October 24, 2013.
  9. Lynn Saxberg, "Ottawa singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume among folk music award winners". Ottawa Citizen, November 30, 2014.
  10. "Juno 2014 nominees". Winnipeg Free Press, March 24, 2014.
  11. Lynn Saxberg, "Amanda Rheaume weathers the blows". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, May 19, 2016.
  12. Calum Slingerland, "Canadian Folk Music Awards Announce 2016 Winners". Exclaim!, December 4, 2016.
  13. Kyle Mullin, "Amanda Rheaume: The Skin I'm In". Exclaim!, February 19, 2019.
  14. Chelsea Brimstin (June 30, 2021). "Digging Roots' ShoShana Kish, Amanda Rheaume launch Ishkōdé Records, sign Aysanabee". Indie88.
  15. David McPherson (June 1, 2022). "Canadian Labels: Ishkōdé Records Ignites the Spirit of the Eighth Fire". National Music Centre.
  16. "Check out Amanda Rheaume's new single, 'All Sides of Me'". Roots Music Canada. March 11, 2022.
  17. Stephen Cooke, "Madison Violet, Shannon & Tony Quinn among 2023 Canadian Folk Music Award nominees". SaltWire Network, October 5, 2022.
  18. "JOURNEYS | International Indigenous Music Summit Kicks off June 8th". CFNR-FM. June 4, 2021.
  19. Fateema Sayani, "This could be the last stand". Ottawa Citizen, November 10, 2005.
  20. Fateema Sayani, "Rheaume finds her real groove". Ottawa Citizen, June 14, 2007.
  21. Fateema Sayani, "The Rheaume world tour". Ottawa Citizen, May 28, 2009.
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