“I need to learn to let you go.”
Originally from Wawa, Ontario, Islay Smedley is celebrating her second year as a singer-songwriter who blends pop, country and folk to create a sound she calls “earthy soul with a well-traveled twist”. Needing an outlet to express her heart, Islay came to songwriting after accumulating a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, over 500 hours in trauma-informed yoga teacher training, and nearly ten years of studying, traveling, and falling in love in Mexico. With cheeky honesty, Islay writes about empowering herself as a woman, her own mental health struggles, and healing from toxic relationships with “mediocre men”.
A few months into songwriting, Islay caught the attention of music producer Greig Nori with whom she will be recording her first full-length album (anticipated for release in 2025). While hard at work crafting her songs and developing her original sound, Islay managed to have one of her songs selected for a movie soundtrack that is currently in production at Loft Studios in Sault Ste. Marie.
In the summer of 2023, Islay participated in the Canadian Musicians Co-operative’s Pre-Professional program which offered her an introduction to the Canadian music industry as well as related essential skill-development. That summer she was selected to sing one of her original songs, “Learn To Let You Go”, at the organization’s annual showcase.
In September 2023 she co-hosted and performed a sold-out show at Naturally Superior Adventures in Wawa, Ontario along with pianist Joanne Poisson. It was an incredibly well received first concert and was met with feedback such as:
- “Your show the other night was absolutely incredible! Beyond having a gorgeous and soulful voice and brilliant stage presence, your song writing displayed a maturity of creativity you just don’t expect from someone who has only been at it a year or so. Simply splendid, thank you.”
- “I am super impressed by your voice, it is rare for singers to sound this good live!”
Audiences love Islay’s powerful, raw and authentic presence. Accompanying herself with an acoustic guitar, she sings a mixture of original songs and covers, occasionally spicing things up by singing in Spanish! To her, it is a gift and passion to be able to write songs and perform them, creating connection and community through art. She is looking forward to sharing more of who she is with the world as she continues to evolve as an artist and a woman.