Singer/songwriter Lindi Ortega is still stylin’ her trademark little red boots she wore on the cover of her 2011 debut album called, well, Little Red Boots, but those boots are covered with the dust, grit and tears of a lot more miles now. When her debut came out, Ortega was living in Toronto, where she’d been a staple on the indie scene for years before following the dream down to Nashville and ending up burnt out and broke, leading to a move to western Canada and a hiatus from music for a while.

On the way she released several more albums and her music was deservedly nominated for Junos, Polaris songwriting prizes and beyond, and graced television and movie soundtracks as well. Now, Ortega – like her boots – returns with flair, including her 2024 album From the Ether which was the first album released on a label created by Guy Clark’s estate – an honour attained as a nod to her formidable talent and akin to making her part of roots rock’s royal family.

But Ortega’s music defies labels, with one booted foot set firmly in country while the other sashays through folk, rock and even a few jazzy steps. Yes, it’s the same little red boots, and, fortunately, the same first-person authenticity and searing, torchy vocals that nudge your heart into your throat.

- Mary-Lynn Wardle