Irish Millie, the 18-year-old Canadian fiddler, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer who is taking the roots scene by storm, has released “You Were There,” the standout single from her acclaimed EP Between Then and Now. The track has earned the young artist her seventh Canadian Folk Music Award nomination, this time for Single of the Year. Simultaneously, she earned her fifth consecutive nomination for Young Performer of the Year, having been recognized in that category every year since the release of her debut album Thirteen in 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/@IrishMillieFiddleTunes
The Peterborough native has also been recognized as a nominee for Folk Music Ontario’s 2025 Performing Artist of the Year, cementing her status as one of Canadian folk music’s most dynamic rising voices. Released on July 6, 2025, via LaunchPad Records, Between Then and Now showcases Irish Millie’s artistic evolution, blending East Coast drive, Bluegrass energy, and Contemporary Trad grit across four compelling tracks. “You Were There,” co-written with Matthew Cicciarella, features Millie on fiddle and vocals alongside Cicciarella on guitar, with Tyler Martin contributing electric guitar and additional string arrangements.
Produced by Martin at Electric Alchemy and mastered by Gregory Pastic, the song exemplifies Millie’s gift for crafting emotionally resonant material that honors tradition while pushing boundaries. The EP’s four tracks, including “Allison,” “Mystery to Me,” and “WASTED,” reveal different facets of Millie’s artistry. From the intimate fiddle and guitar interplay of “Allison” to the fuller arrangement of “WASTED” featuring piano and drums, the collection demonstrates her versatility as both performer and composer.
Her ability to play fiddle, vocals, piano, guitar, and foot percussion gives her music a distinctive sonic signature that has captivated audiences across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Her previous album GRACE earned praise from Celtic music royalty Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, who called it “Fresh, lively… cool tunes and great playing”. Alex Monaghan of FolkWorld Magazine wrote, “What most grabs me about Irish Millie’s music is the passion, full of fun, fire, and feeling for the music she loves”.
Listen on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/album/1ShamsfMqRgf9ne9NGZC7o?si=1iHKJcikSCeOBHKryTY6Rg&nd=1&dlsi=2fb0393f72b94254
Irish Millie will embark on her second East Coast Holiday Tour with long-time music collaborator Luka Hall from December 27, 2025, to January 2, 2026, performing five intimate shows across Ontario. The mini-tour continues a growing holiday tradition for the pair, blending Millie’s lively Celtic folk fiddle tunes and Luka’s soulful acoustic songwriting. Each stop features stories, spontaneous collaborations, and plenty of audience sing-alongs, offering a cozy, communal way to close out the year and ring in the new one with music, laughter, and connection.
A past Peterborough Folk Festival Emerging Artist of the Year and recipient of the Peterborough Civic Award for Community Betterment for her “Fiddling for Fox” campaign, Millie is currently studying Music Industry & Technology at the University of Toronto while maintaining an active touring and recording schedule. She is supported on stage by her father, Murray Shadgett, on guitar. Planning for a July 2026 tour across Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes is currently underway.
East Coast Holiday Tour Dates:
December 27 – Torchbearer Taproom, Oshawa (9-11 PM)
December 28 – Brewer’s Pantry, Bowmanville (2 PM)
December 29 – Princess Gardens, Peterborough
December 31 – Dockside Bistro, Campbellford
January 1 – Royal Gardens, Peterborough
Planning for a July 2026 tour across Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island is currently underway.
https://irishmillie.bandcamp.com