Spending your early years in small-town northern Ontario is bound to influence a person for life. For singer-songwriter Lesley Hoyles, this influence comes in the way of the constantly recurring theme of the weather, certainly a Canadian concern. Not one to be limited by these humble beginnings, however, Lesley has now, at 25, traversed the country, adding themes such as heartbreak, politics, activism, and apathy (generally other people’s, not her own) to her writing. Her musical style, which she refers to as urban folk, combines both the feel of her more recent big city living with the folk roots of her younger life. With influences ranging from Bach (she’s a classically trained pianist) to Joni Mitchell to Dar Williams and bands like Stars, it’s no wonder she had to invent her own name for her genre.
Now settled in Toronto, with a women’s studies degree from McGill and UBC under her belt, Lesley is actively pursuing her burgeoning musical career. The release of her debut solo album Stories You Earn in 2005 earned her accolades, including the cover of Vancouver weekly Xtra West. Some of her more memorable performances, as a solo artist or as part of the now-defunct band Alicide, include shows at Ottawa’s venerable folk institution Rasputin’s, Montreal’s Petit Campus, The Free Times Café in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, and Toronto Pride festivities, The Backstage Lounge in Vancouver, and The Rock City Women’s Music Festival in Wakefield, Quebec.
These days, Lesley can usually be found wielding her guitar at one of Toronto’s many open mics, as she works her way into the city’s music scene, or standing outside, waiting for the next change in the weather.
