Folk | Americana | Country | Roots

Darla Daniels is a dynamic Métis fiddler, singer songwriter, actress, and championship Red River Jigger known for her magnetic stage presence and passionate performances. Blending traditional Métis fiddle with roots, country, and Americana, her music is both a tribute to her heritage and a bold step into new creative territory.

In 2024, Darla joined the Stratford Festival’s world premiere of The Diviners, showcasing her versatility on one of Canada’s most celebrated theatre stages. She also performs with the Edmonton based country band Justin Sutton & North of 49 and has graced major festivals including the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Newport Celtic Rock Festival, and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Her high energy performances have opened for acclaimed acts such as Aysanabee, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Gary Allan, and The Road Hammers.

Her debut single “Many Miles” (2025) is a deeply personal tribute to her late father and the lead track from her upcoming EP 1992. The song earned over 29,000 streams and 18,800 listeners on Spotify, featured on SiriusXM’s Indigiverse, Top of the Country, and aired worldwide across CFWE, CJWE, and other Indigenous and country radio stations.

Building on that momentum, “Trapline” (July 2025) dives deeper into themes of identity, displacement, and reclamation with raw instrumentation, vivid lyricism, and her signature fiddle driven sound. The single has earned 19,500 streams from 10,900 listeners, resonating strongly in Edmonton, Calgary, and Saskatoon, featured on Country Music 2025 – The Best Country Music Hits, and officially reached number 1 on the Indigenous Music Countdown.

Her newest single “DNA” made an explosive debut with 14,500 streams in its first month, seeing a 740 percent rise in activity and strong listener engagement from Canada, the United States, and Brazil. Collectively, Darla’s recent singles have surpassed 64,000 Spotify streams within just months, with over 70 percent of streams coming from listener and algorithmic playlists, showcasing her growing audience reach, replay value, and authentic connection with fans across North and South America.

Darla has been recognized with multiple honours including the 2023 MSGC Arts & Culture Award and the Young Woman of Vision Award from Grant MacEwan University. In 2024, she was nominated for Specialty Instrument Player of the Year at the Country Music Alberta Awards. She has also been featured on APTN, CBC Radio, and other major media platforms celebrating Indigenous and Canadian artistry.

With a deep respect for tradition and a fearless creative spirit, Darla Daniels continues to redefine the boundaries of Métis music and performance, merging storytelling, fiddle, and soul into an unforgettable modern roots sound.

Notable Performances

Edmonton Folk Music Festival – 2017, 2023, 2025
K-Days - Edmonton, AB 2008, 2009, 2013, 2025
Sākihiwē Festival - Winnipeg, MB 2025
Mariposa Folk Music Festival - Orillia, ON 2025
The Winspear Centre - Edmonton, AB 2025
Back to Batoche Days – Batoche, SK 2006 - 2010, 2025
Alberta Métis Fest - Métis Crossing, AB 2024, 2025
Okimaw Awards - Edmonton, AB - 2023 - 2025
The Diviners, Stratford Festival - Stratford, ON 2024
International Indigenous Music Summit - Toronto, ON 2024
Beaumont Music Festival - 2024
Servus Heritage Festival – Edmonton, AB 2010-2011, 2013, 2023
Taste of Edmonton – 2017
The Festival of Stars - Bashaw, AB 2009, 2010 & 2014
Mardi Gras - New Orleans, LA 2013
Great Blue Heron Music Festival – Sherman, NY 2012
Newport Celtic Rock Festival – Newport, RI 2012
South Buffalo Irish Festival – Buffalo, NY 2012
The Esquao Awards – Edmonton, AB 2009 & 2011
International Métis Festival – International Peace Gardens, ND 2011
Calvin Vollrath Annual CD Release Gala – Fort Saskatchewan, AB 2010 & 2011
Me to We Youth Leadership Conference - Cold Lake, AB 2009
The International Polar Year Launch - Ottawa, ON 2007

Media

CBC Radio – 2009, 2011, 2025, 2026
CFWE - 2023, 2025
CJWE - 2023, 2025
Telus Voices of Resilience - 2025
AGNT Spotlight Series - 2025
Underground Radio C - 2024
“Strings With a Dream”  – APTN 2012 
Global Edmonton 2009-2011
“The Mix” – APTN 2009
Big Dog 103.5 – Newcap Radio 2009

Discography/Recordings

"1992" Debut Vocal EP - 2025
"#1 Hussy" - D'Orjay, 2025
“Nôcikiwikamikosihk” - W.T. Goodspirit, 2024
“Dancing Along",  2023 - Trent Agecoutay
From Feel to Flare, 2009
Bowing to Tradition, 2008

Awards

Country Music Alberta Awards - Specialty Instrument Player of the Year (Fiddle) Finalist (Provincial Top 5) 2024, 2025
Country Music Alberta Awards - Fan's Choice Finalist
MSGC Arts & Culture 2023
Nominee and finalist for the Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards - Culture and Heritage 2011
The Young Woman of Vision Award - Grant MacEwan University, 2010
Overall Grand Championship Red River Jig - JA Fiddle Fest, 2009
The Aboriginal Youth Female Role Model Award - CNFC, 2008