There’s a certain presence that comes with hearing Jolie Anastasia sing—a wisdom far beyond her years, wrapped in a voice equal parts tender and unshakable. With her debut full-length album, Guiding Light, arriving Friday and the title cut out now, the Collingwood-based singer-songwriter is quickly establishing herself as one of folk and roots music’s most promising new voices.
Jolie’s music doesn’t rush. It lingers, reflecting on heartbreak, healing and the fleeting beauty of everyday life. In her songs, listeners encounter a rare gift: the ability to transform personal trials into universal truths that speak across generations.
Born and raised in Collingwood, ON, Jolie Anastasia (née Jolie Smith) has been steeped in song since childhood.
“I am a deeply emotional and sensitive person,” she said.
“I find solace in the strum of a guitar and the hum of a tune.”
That instinct to create has led her from living room strums to festival stages, crafting a style that balances raw honesty with refined artistry.
Her forthcoming album, Guiding Light, is a family affair, shaped by the guidance of her producer and father, Craig Smith.
“Ever since I was young, he always encouraged me to play music, so naturally, as soon as he noticed I was writing anything worth recording, we jumped straight into the studio,” Jolie said.
What began as solo expression soon blossomed into a full-band endeavor, expanding her sonic palette without losing the intimacy of her earliest songs.
Jolie has already become a fixture in Ontario’s folk community, performing at local festivals and intimate listening rooms with her band: Braden Mahon (guitar), Rae Melvin (drums/harmonica), and Kyle Dreany (bass).
To hear Jolie is to hear echoes of artists who have redefined the boundaries of folk and Americana. Her storytelling has the resilience of Brandi Carlile, her atmospheric guitar work hints at the quiet storm of Phoebe Bridgers, and her melodic sense carries shades of Madison Cunningham’s adventurous pop-folk fusion.
And yet, Jolie’s sound is unmistakably her own. With layered harmonies, open tunings, and a deep sense of place, she creates songs that feel timeless, as though they could live comfortably beside Joni Mitchell or Nick Drake, while still carrying the urgency of a new generation’s voice.
To celebrate the release of Guiding Light, Jolie Anastasia will bring her songs to the stage this fall with a pair of special performances:
- Nov. 6 — Small Halls Festival, Collingwood, ON
- Nov. 8 — Marsh Street Centre, Clarksburg, ON (Album Release Show). Tickets here.
gorgeous voice!
I concur! She gives me Margo Timmins vibes a bit. (Different musical style though).