Vancouver based singer-songwriter Leah Barley’s sharp-eyed, chiaroscuro approach to songwriting is on full display on her latest release Awkward & Heartbroken, (out Feb 2025) which showcases her talent for taking listeners on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. She offers stirring original songs that evoke both the jubilation and heartbreak inherent to classic folk and country music. An accomplished banjo player as well as guitarist, Barley creates a sound as affecting today as it was a century ago.
Her first full-length album Bring Out Your Dead, released in October 2020, almost perfectly balances Barley’s light-and-shade approach to songwriting. It’s all a product of Barley’s love of old-time country and bluegrass, which inspired her to pick up the banjo in her early twenties while living in Canmore, Alberta. After a couple of months getting her feet wet at open mic nights, she released the first of four EPs in 2010 after moving to Vancouver.
Since 2013, Barley has played in many parts of Canada, both solo and with her band, on multiple stages and in the festival circuit including Sunshine Music Festival, Woodstove Music Festival, and Dunn Folkin' Around. She was also a featured performer at JUNOfest 2018 and at CBC Music.
Leah is also one of the main organizers behind "Let's Go Girls", a night of music featuring women, and queer voices, in the Folk and Country scene. Raising awareness and creating safe spaces for women and queer folks in the music scene and raising funds for the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre.
Her first full-length album Bring Out Your Dead, released in October 2020, almost perfectly balances Barley’s light-and-shade approach to songwriting. It’s all a product of Barley’s love of old-time country and bluegrass, which inspired her to pick up the banjo in her early twenties while living in Canmore, Alberta. After a couple of months getting her feet wet at open mic nights, she released the first of four EPs in 2010 after moving to Vancouver.
Since 2013, Barley has played in many parts of Canada, both solo and with her band, on multiple stages and in the festival circuit including Sunshine Music Festival, Woodstove Music Festival, and Dunn Folkin' Around. She was also a featured performer at JUNOfest 2018 and at CBC Music.
Leah is also one of the main organizers behind "Let's Go Girls", a night of music featuring women, and queer voices, in the Folk and Country scene. Raising awareness and creating safe spaces for women and queer folks in the music scene and raising funds for the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre.
"Beautiful song, beautiful album." George Stroumboulopoulos, CBC Radio,
said after playing Bring Out Your Dead on The STROMBO show, Oct 25, 2020
said after playing Bring Out Your Dead on The STROMBO show, Oct 25, 2020
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Next Show: Thurs, Nov 6 Seth Anderson vinyl release party featuring Leah Barley, Janky Bungag, and Danny Boy Green Auto, Vancouver Doors at 7, music at 8, $15 adv tickets TICKET LINK HERE |
"Feisty and fearless, Leah Barley is one of those performers who really shares her soul on stage. I've seen it time and again how she turns a restless crowd into a rapt audience with her contagious joy and songs of deep vulnerability."
- Kristia Di Gregorio
- Kristia Di Gregorio
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