Runs May 5-9th.

Meredith Shaw is a singer, songwriter, and radio personality based in Toronto, Ontario. Shaw was born and raised in Toronto. As a child, she took piano, guitar, and voice lessons. She attended the arts-oriented high school Branksome Hall in Toronto, and went on to study opera and theatre arts at Queen’s University in Kingston.

Shaw got her big break when Gordie Johnson of the band Big Sugar heard her singing and took her under his wing. Soon it was agreed that Johnson would produce Shaw’s debut album. He took her down to Willie Nelson’s Pedernales studio in Spicewood, Texas to record.

In 2011, Shaw was hired by Boom 97.3, a radio station in Toronto. She can be heard on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 6pm. During her time at Boom 97.3, she has interviewed artists ranging from Serena Ryder and The Spoons to Gordie Johnson and JD Fortune (INXS). She has introduced concerts by The Beach Boys, Platinum Blonde, and Anjulie

The past few years have been a whirlwind for the dynamically delightful Toronto-based singer/songwriter Meredith Shaw.

After releasing her critically-acclaimed, effervescent and delightfully refreshing debut album, Place Called Happy, she embarked on an extensive tour with Big Sugar, criss- crossing the continent, assembling experiences and stories that were irresistible fodder for Shaw’s clever and creative imagination.

She will be releasing a series of three-song EPs affectionately coined ‘Tringles’ with special guest artists and producers that capture the essence of her talent, charm, personality, playfulness and also boldly proclaims a confident maturity as a songwriter.

As part of her journey for this project, she decided to reach out to one of Canada’s most accomplished, authentic and well-respected craftspeople – Joel Plaskett. And the meeting of the musical minds was sheer magic, as Plaskett ended up producing the material for the first phase of this ongoing project, and contributed some of his unique lyrical and musical imprints to the tunes.

Place Called Happy was produced by another of Shaw’s musical heroes and mentors, Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar, Grady and Wide Mouth Mason fame. Working in tandem with Plaskett, he mixed the first three tracks and will be mixing all the 3 song EPs this year giving them his signature Gordie touch. Shaw said she is continually grateful to be understood and appreciated by the likes of Johnson and now Plaskett for her own talents as a songwriter and performer.

Plaskett helped Shaw finish the song that will be the first single. ‘Trouble’ started off during a songwriting session in Nashville, a place where Shaw spent some time last year, and plans on returning to regularly to partake in the rich songwriting opportunities it affords. The song aptly demonstrates that, while Shaw has grown and matured as an artist, the girl who coquettishly sang ‘Acted Badly’ is still very much exploring her inner vixen.

Shaw is charting her own musical path. By creating small recording packages that feature their own unique style and sound, she is taking ownership of her journey, and not catering to the schizophrenic whims of popular culture.

And she has been rewarded for not only her talent, but her independent spirit and integrity with a distribution and promotional deal with eOne Music Canada. As well, the song Call It A Night from her first EP, spent much of the summer of 2013 firmly planted in the top 20 on CBC Radio 2s charts, and she also toured extensively, and spent a great deal of time in Nashville.

THINGS I CARE ABOUT

VON CANADA

I volunteer with these guys. If you love babies this organization is for you! www.von.ca

GIRLS INC

This is the charity I have chosen to partner with for the annual GIRLS WHO BELIEVE FEST. This is what they have to say: “Girls Inc. is pleased to have partnered with Meredith Shaw. As a registered charity dedicated to providing girls with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to achieve their true potential, Girls Inc. is committed to linking girls with strong female role models. During her powerful and interactive Girls Who Believe workshop Meredith connects with girls through her music, and with passionate and enthusiastic dialogue she inspires them to go after their dreams. Girls Inc. believes!”  www.girlsinc.org