Irish Millie Secured Her Seventh Canadian Folk Music Award Nomination With Song, You Were There

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Irish Millie, the 18-year-old Canadian fiddler, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and composer, continues to make waves in the roots music scene with major accolades and a celebrated new release.

Award Nominations Highlight Rising Star Status

Irish Millie secured her seventh Canadian Folk Music Award nomination, this time for Single of the Year with her standout track “You Were There” from the EP Between Then and Now. She has also earned her fifth consecutive nomination for Young Performer of the Year, a category in which she has been recognized every year since her 2021 debut album Thirteen.

Adding to these honors, the Peterborough native has been nominated for Folk Music Ontario’s 2025 Performing Artist of the Year. These recognitions solidify her position as one of the most dynamic and promising voices in Canadian folk music.

Acclaimed EP Showcases Artistic Growth

Released on July 6, 2025, via LaunchPad Records, Between Then and Now marks a significant step in Irish Millie’s artistic evolution. The four-track EP blends East Coast drive, Bluegrass energy, and contemporary traditional grit, capturing the complexities of growing up—falling in and out of love, self-discovery, and emotional transitions.

The lead single “You Were There,” co-written with Matthew Cicciarella, features Millie on fiddle and vocals, Cicciarella on guitar, and Tyler Martin on electric guitar plus additional string arrangements. Produced by Martin at Electric Alchemy and mastered by Gregory Pastic, the track highlights Millie’s talent for creating emotionally resonant music that respects tradition while innovating within it.

The EP’s other tracks further demonstrate her range:

• “Allison” offers intimate fiddle and guitar interplay.
• “Mystery to Me” explores introspective themes.
• “WASTED” delivers a fuller sound with piano and drums, showcasing her versatility as a composer and performer.

Multi-Instrumental Talent and Sonic Signature

Irish Millie’s distinctive sound stems from her proficiency on fiddle, vocals, piano, guitar, and foot percussion. This multi-instrumental approach creates a rich, layered sonic identity that has earned her fans across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Recognition and Community Impact

Beyond her musical achievements, Irish Millie is 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. She balances her rising career with studies in Music Industry & Technology at the University of Toronto, while frequently performing alongside her father, Murray Shadgett, on guitar.

Looking Ahead

With planning underway for a July 2026 tour spanning Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes, Irish Millie shows no signs of slowing down. Her blend of tradition, energy, and heartfelt storytelling continues to captivate audiences and critics alike, marking her as a bright future force in Canadian roots music.

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