Mikhail Laxton and Kristen Martell

With a sound that’s equal parts funky and melodic - but above all soulful - Mikhail Laxton is an artist whose time has come. After first sharing his musical gifts on the 2021 EP Real and his 2023 eponymous full-length follow-up, the Australian-born, Ottawa-based singer/songwriter has stepped fully into his own with Present Nostalgia.

Co-produced by Jim Bryson (Kathleen Edwards, The Weakerthans), the eight-song collection fuses Americana storytelling with R&B smoothness, resulting in an intoxicating, genre-blending style all his own. Songs like “I Like The Way,” “Stay,” and “Golden Sky” carry messages of hope and connection through grooves rooted in his upbringing in Mossman, Australia.

With Present Nostalgia, Mikhail proves he can move effortlessly between intimate solo sets and full-band festival performances - always leaving audiences uplifted and inspired. Highlights include Ottawa Blues Fest 2023, CityFolk Fest 2023, Festival of Small Halls, opening for The Teskey Brothers, Kathleen Edwards, and Colin Linden.

Award-winning bilingual singer-songwriter Kristen Martell weaves together intimate and moving songs that linger long after the music fades. Flowing effortlessly between English and French, her feathery, soothing vocals and heartfelt lyrics connect deeply with her audience. Her latest release, the 2025 ‘Prix de l’Acadie’ Music Nova Scotia Award winner, honours her Acadian roots and highlights her versatility as an artist. Moving seamlessly from piano to classical guitar, she maintains a soothing, grounded presence in both languages and invites listeners into a world where cultures blend, and emotions flow freely.