Shivering Songs 2027: Mariel Buckley

Mariel BuckleyWilmot United ChurchDoors 7:00pm / Show 8:00pm
All Ages

Unapologetically genuine, wry and soft-hearted, Mariel Buckley, has planted her flag firmly as a songwriter who’s in it for the long haul. She aims to find herself squarely on the fringes and exactly where she belongs: singing and writing songs for the underdogs. Raised in the heart of Canada’s rodeo and country music scenes, she was destined to challenge the boundaries around her, both in life and in song. With a fearless spirit that’s consistently broken through both genre and personal barriers, Buckley’s unique blend of angst-driven alt-folk has made her a standout artist, offering a fresh and dynamic perspective on modern Americana music.
For her latest album, Strange Trip Ahead, Buckley set her sights on Nashville, working with alt-Americana mastermind producer, Jarrad K (Ruston Kelly, Lucie Silvas, Fancy Hagood, Goo Goo Dolls) to bring her third studio album to life. The album, which was awarded the 2026 JUNO for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year, explores the all-too-relatable vulnerability of existing in the uncertain - within one’s life, relationships, and career.  Of the nine tracks, Mariel notes, “this album has some genre deviations with the signature "sad guy" sauce remaining true. I used to steal my older brother's CDs in the early 00's, and found myself pretty deep in the alt-rock of that era. In many ways, this album was my gateway drug to indie rock. Grief, loss, liminal spaces and of course, another song about doing it in the car.”
Written largely during a reflective period in Edmonton and finished in Nashville, Strange Trip Ahead is a meditation on the push and pull of creative life — the exhaustion and exhilaration of pursuing meaning through art. From the weary confessions of “Vending Machines,” to the watery nostalgia of “Swim Practice,” to the gut-punch self-awareness of “Sick of Myself,” Buckley captures the beauty and burden of staying human through change.
“Ultimately, this album is one about choices, and accepting the snack that falls when we push the button,” Buckley says. “I hope you find yourself somewhere in it. Hang on, buddy — the best is yet to come.”