Canada is known for its beautiful landscapes, diverse communities, and great music. From coast to coast, talented women musicians have made their mark in Canada and around the world. They stand out for their creativity, honesty, and unique sound.

Here are five Canadian artists who continue to shape the country's music scene, along with a few songs you should add to your playlist.

Feist

Born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Leslie Feist, better known as Feist, grew up in Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta with her mother after her parents divorced. Both of her parents were artists.

At 15, Feist joined the punk rock band Placebo. The group toured across Canada and the United States for two years. After damaging her vocal cords, she left the band. She then moved to Toronto, where she started writing her own songs and recorded her first album, Monarch (Lay Down Your Jeweled Head).

Around this time, she met electroclash musician Peaches, joining her European tour. Back in Toronto, she joined Broken Social Scene, with whom she won the Juno Award in 2003. Her albums Let It Die and The Reminder became huge successes. They earned her many awards, even leading to small acting roles and her music being featured in films.

Feist blends layered vocals and instruments to create emotional songs. Her music mixes folk and indie rock. It's a great choice if you enjoy soft melodies, honest lyrics, and a one-of-a-kind voice.

Our favourite songs:

1234

Mushaboom

My Moon My Man

I Feel It All

Hiding Out in the Open

Joni Mitchell

Roberta Joan Anderson, later known as Joni Mitchell, was born on November 7, 1943, in Fort Macleod, Alberta. She later moved with her family to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, which she considers her hometown.

When she was nine, Joni contracted polio. During her recovery, she found comfort in music and learned to play the piano. Later, she taught herself the ukulele and guitar. She recorded her first song, House of the Rising Sun, before moving to Toronto. There, she met American folk singer Chuck Mitchell, whom she married for a short time.

Joni became famous for classic albums like Blue and Court and Spark. She has worked with many artists and has won eight Grammy Awards. Today, she is widely seen as one of Canada's greatest musicians — and one of the most influential songwriters of all time.

Her music blends folk, jazz, pop, and classical influences. She is known for poetic lyrics and deeply personal songwriting. Her songs are perfect for anyone who enjoys thoughtful music and beautiful melodies.

Our favourite songs:

California

Big Yellow Taxi

Both Sides Now

A Case of You

All I Want

Alessia Cara

Born Alessia Caracciolo in Brampton, Ontario, Alessia Cara is one of Canada's brightest pop stars. She loved the arts from a young age, writing poetry, acting in plays, and later turning to music.

Alessia learned to play guitar at 10 and started a YouTube channel where she posted song covers. In 2014, she travelled to New York with her father and signed with EP Entertainment. Soon after, she released her first EP, Four Pink Walls.

In 2018, Alessia became the first Canadian to win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Since then, she has continued to release music and tour both on her own and with artists like Shawn Mendes.

Inspired by Lauryn Hill and Pink, Alessia creates modern pop with R&B influences. Her songs feature honest lyrics and a warm, powerful voice. If you like catchy songs with real emotion, her music is worth a listen.

Our favourite songs:

Scars to Your Beautiful

Here

Stay

Wild Things

Out of Love

Avril Lavigne

Avril Ramona Lavigne was born on September 27, 1984, in Belleville, Ontario. When she was five, her family moved to Napanee, a small town between Belleville and Kingston. Her parents quickly noticed her talent for singing. They took her to local fairs, where she loved performing and singing her favourite songs.

In 1999, Avril won a radio contest that gave her the chance to perform with Shania Twain in front of 20,000 people at Ottawa's Corel Centre. Soon after, manager Cliff Fabri discovered her and helped her sign with Arista Records.

Her first album, Let Go, was released in 2002 and became a worldwide hit. Songs like Complicated and Sk8er Boi made Avril one of the biggest pop-punk stars of the 2000s.

Avril mixes pop, punk, and rock with catchy hooks and fearless energy. Her music is perfect if you enjoy emotional pop-rock songs full of confidence and nostalgia.

Our favourite songs:

Complicated

I'm with You

Sk8er Boi

What the Hell

Girlfriend

Mushaboom Studio Gg3 I3 Jh J34 Unsplash

Photo credit: Mushaboom Studio

The Beaches

The Beaches is a rock band formed in Toronto in 2013 by sisters Jordan and Kylie Miller, along with Leandra Earl and Eliza Enman-McDaniel.

Before forming The Beaches, Jordan, Kylie, and Eliza played in a punk band called Done With Dolls with guitarist Megan Fitchett. They toured as an opening act for Allstar Weekend. After Fitchett left the band, Leandra joined, and The Beaches was born.

The group shifted toward an alternative rock sound. They later released award-winning music, including Late Show, before following it with The Professional and Blame My Ex.

Today, The Beaches stand out as an all-female rock band in a genre where women are still underrepresented. Their song, “Edge of the Earth”, was featured in the hit show Off Campus! This spotlight increased the streaming of both the song and the rest of the band’s music. The show was filmed in British Columbia and was based on Canadian author Elle Kennedy's book series by the same name, making the musical choice a nice nod to Elle's nationality. Their success shows that women in rock continue to make a powerful impact.

The Beaches play energetic alternative rock with catchy choruses, sharp humour, and honest lyrics about relationships and everyday life. Their music is a great fit for anyone who loves strong guitar riffs, bold personalities, and modern rock.

Our favourite songs:

Edge of the Earth

Blame Brett

Perfect 10

Last Girls at the Party

Should've Known Better

Whether they’ve become international icons or continue to redefine today’s music scene, these artists prove that Canadian music has something to thrill every listener. The next time you hit the road, add a few of these songs to your playlist. And if the urge to explore strikes, take the opportunity to discover Canoo’s partner parks, museums, and attractions across Canada. Enjoy the music and have a great adventure!