Madeleine Roger

About

Madeleine Roger is a folk singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Canada. While deftly accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, it is her artistry as a songwriter and storyteller that can silence a room, uniting her lyrical prowess with a graceful voice and breathtaking melodies that linger long after they are sung. Her critically-acclaimed debut album Cottonwood combines the elegant storytelling of folk traditions with the grounded vibe of roots music. It is a collection of songs that reflect on femininity and equality, the majesty of the wilderness, and the beautiful awkwardness of trying to love another person. Cottonwood quickly garnered acclaim for its exceptional songwriting, beautiful vocals, and meticulous instrumentation, reaching the No. 1 spot on the National folk/roots charts in Canada. It also saw Madeleine nominated for both “English Songwriter of the Year” at the 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards and “Producer of the Year” at the 2019 Western Canadian Music Awards.

She has toured extensively across Canada and Europe sharing her music live at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Vancouver Island Music Festival, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Summerfolk Festival of Arts and Crafts, Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival, Calgary Folk Club, and Festival Du Voyageur, among others.

Madeleine co-produced and co-engineered Cottonwood with Lloyd Peterson (The Wailin' Jenny's, The Weakerthans, James Keelaghan) at Paintbox Recording in Winnipeg. The album was proudly made with gender parity - half of the producers, audio engineers, musicians, and other artists identify as women. It was written from Madeleine’s home in Winnipeg, Canada in a woodstove-heated cabin that her great-grandparents built in the Manitoba backwoods, and she is very very proud of it.
 

“Madeleine's excellent songwriting, ear for traditional-sounding melodies, fabulous voice, and skillful guitar playing give them a timeless quality, though they speak directly to our time.”  - Stan Rogers Folk Festival

"Madeleine’s voice stays with you, reminiscent at times of a young Joni Mitchell." - Mojo
 

FOR THE EXTRA CURIOUS

Her years of theatre and travel consumed her from the age of 7 into the end of her degree in Theatre & Film when she finally picked up one of the many guitars lying around her home and started writing songs. A year later she quit theatre, falling hopelessly in love with song-craft and the endless possibilities of music. 

A lifelong history of singing in choirs, living rooms, musicals, and around bonfires has informed her current comfort on the stage, and the countless hours hanging out in the control room of her Dad's recording studios left an impression on Madeleine, growing up thinking that everyone talked about songwriting and album production at the dinner table.

She is an advocate for equality and the representation of women in the music industry, and is actively working to get more women behind the board in recording studios.
 

“One of the best out there right now.” - If It’s Too Loud

“She steps out with a truly terrific folk album.” – Great Dark Wonder

“A glimpse into the machinations of someone who is attentive to the world around her.” – Exclaim!

“Cottonwood makes for bright listening and repeated plays.” – Roots Music