Haley Nicole Blais is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Vancouver.[1]

Haley Blais
Blais performing in 2022
Blais performing in 2022
Background information
Birth nameHaley Nicole Blais
GenresIndie rock
Years active2016-Present
LabelsArts & Crafts Productions, Tiny Kingdom
Websitehaleyblaismusic.com

Blais got her start on Youtube, uploading vlogs, original songs, and covers. She received mainstream success with the release of the single "Small Foreign Faction" in 2018. Since then, she has released two full length LPs and toured throughout North America and Europe. Blais' music has been described as "confessional"[2] "nostalgia-pop"[3] with a particular emphasis on her vocals.[4]

History

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Haley Blais grew up in Kelowna, British Columbia.[4] She is a classically trained vocalist and toured in a opera troupe when she was a teenager.[3] After leaving opera and moving to Vancouver, she began recording her own music, releasing the EP Late Bloomer in 2016.[4]

In 2018, off of the success of her EP Let Yourself Go, Blais embarked on her first national tour.[5] She has since toured North America supporting Peach Pit, The Beaches, and The Greeting Committee as well as headlining tours in the UK and Ireland.

In 2020, Blais released her debut full-length album, Below the Salt.[6] The album was acclaimed and described as "multi-layered and lush"[7] and "dreamy," capturing "the essence of growing up."[8]

In 2023, Blais signed with Arts & Crafts Productions, which released her sophomore LP Wisecrack on September 15, 2023.[9] The album was longlisted for the 2024 Polaris Music Prize.[10]

Blais also plays bass and contributes backing vocals to the Vancouver-based band Babe Corner.[4]

Discography

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Albums

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Title Album details
Below the Salt
  • Release date: August 25, 2020
  • Label: Tiny Kingdom
Wisecrack
  • Late Bloomer (2016)
  • Zero Charisma (Demos) (2018)
  • Let Yourself Go (2018)

Singles

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  • Late Bloomer (2016)
  • Small Foreign Faction (2018)
  • Too Good (2020)
  • On a Weekend (2020)
  • Rob the Original (2020)
  • Auld Lang Syne (2020)
  • Rob the Original Live (2021)
  • Coolest Fucking Bitch in Town (2022)
  • Survivor's Guilt (2022)
  • Matchmaker (2023)
  • Baby Teeth (2023)
  • The Cabin (2023)

References

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  1. ^ Durdeyn, Stuart. "Five things to know about Below the Salt, by Haley Blais". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Haley Blais - 1883 Magazine". 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2023-08-13.
  3. ^ a b Mahale, Jenna. "10 things you need to know about Haley Blais, Canada's nostalgia pop queen". Vice. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Wallock, Matt. "'What Would Carole King Do?': Haley Blais on Her Gorgeous Debut Album". American Songwriter. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  5. ^ Stanley, Laura. "Haley Blais Emerges From Her YouTube Channel for Pop Debut 'Let Yourself Go'". Exclaim!. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  6. ^ Taylor-Singh, Heather. "Haley Blais Captures the Essence of Growing Up on 'Below the Salt'". Exclaim!.
  7. ^ Derdeyn, Stuart (August 15, 2020). "Five things to know about Below the Salt, by Haley Blais". The Vancouver Sun.
  8. ^ Taylor-Singh, Heather (August 27, 2020). "Haley Blais Captures the Essence of Growing Up on 'Below the Salt'". Exclaim!.
  9. ^ Richardson-Dupuis, Emilie. "Haley Blais Signs with Arts & Crafts, Shares New Song "Matchmaker"". Exclaim!. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  10. ^ "2024 Polaris Music Prize long list: the Beaches, Tobi, Elisapie, Beverly Glenn-Copeland and more". CBC Music, June 11, 2024.