There is no shortage of musicians who re-invent themselves at varying points in their career – their image, their musical style, their voice, and often do so through personal struggles. Likewise, innumerable other artists attempt to navigate an industry that has no qualms or conscience about abandoning artists, leaving their hopes dashed and dreams abandoned. For Cape Breton’s Goldie Boutilier, both are true in spades. Yet here in 2025, after living a life that found her engaged in almost every realm that can break people – pop music, modelling, DJing, and so much more – she feels she has found her true voice and place. This has her bringing vocals that evoke Stevie Nicks or Lana Del Rey, with natural flourishes of beats and synths. All of it sits comfortably aside a sound that encompasses everything from Laurel Canyon’s heyday to shades of New York’s late 1900s glam culture, with frequent nods to modern day pop music. Boultier’s latest iteration has garnered significant attention both across Canada and stateside – Block Heater may be one of the last opportunities to see her in such an intimate setting.

- Derek McEwan