Vanessa Kuzina photo by Victoria Anne
Singer-Songwriter Vanessa Kuzina discovered her voice learning the songs of Canadian greats like Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Leonard Cohen. Inspired with a deep passion to write and sing she began writing in her teens and released her solo album of all original songs, Peony (2007). Kuzina is a member of country-roots femmes fatales, Oh My Darling.
Known as the “cowboy poet” of the group, writing lyrics that tell stories about life on the prairies, and probe at emotions that run deeply through our human experience. Her soaring vocals and tender guitar engage her audience to connect deeply whether on a festival stage or in an intimate performance setting. Kuzina is a founding member of Oh My Darling, in five short years the Winnipeg-based roots quartet Oh My Darling has released three critically acclaimed albums , and is touring ceaselessly, headlining three consecutive European tours, countless tours across Canada, and a recent debut in the US at New York City’s Living Room.
They have earned opening spots for Blue Rodeo, Tegan & Sara, performed at Trafalgar Square’s Canada Day celebration in London England (2011), The Winnipeg Folk Festival, Tondor Festival (DK), and have shared the stage in collaborations with such artists as Tim O’Brien, Dirk Powell, Adam Cohen, Eliza Gilkyson, Le Vent du Nord, The Guthrie Family and many other musical friends. Oh My Darling has been topping the campus radio charts, can be heard regularly on CBC Radio and Radio Canada. They have received rave reviews for their recordings and performances, and have had three albums nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award. The gals are crowd favourites at Country and Folk Festivals, and are winning the hearts of all who come to experience their energetic live show. Oh My Darling has released three Western Canadian Music Award nominated recordings in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and a most recent francophone recording Venez danser this year.
When Vanessa is not on the road with Oh My Darling touring across Canada, the United States or overseas in Europe she pours herself into the personal connections she experiences through music at the St Boniface Hospital. Having worked for Artists in Healthcare Manitoba for the last 6 years Vanessa has gained invaluable experiences connecting with patients through her music. This understanding of the deep human connection informs Kuzina’s songwriting. Vanessa has had the honour to be mentored by award winning and acclaimed songwriters and artists such as Sam Baker ( TX, USA), Tom Wilson ( Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Junkhouse), Stephen Fearing, David Francey, Order of Canada receiver Heather Bishop and James Keelaghan. As an artist, and songwriter Kuzina has lead Songwriting workshops at Folk and Blugrass Festivals in Canada and Europe, as a member of Oh My Darling she has headlined 3 sold-out tours across Europe, playing over 200 shows a year and to crowds as incredible of 15,000. Vanessa is proud to have the opportunity to share her art and to call Winnipeg home.
Find out more about Vanessa and Oh My Darling at www.ohmydarling.ca
