Karyn Ellis is an indie folk / singer-songwriter from Toronto, Canada. She … Read Full Bio ↴Karyn Ellis is an indie folk / singer-songwriter from Toronto, Canada. She moved to Düsseldorf, Germany in 2019 and is currently based from there. To date she has independently released four albums. Her last one, called "More Than A Hero", came out in late 2013. Her fifth studio album "Shapes And Animals" was slated to be released in early 2020, however, like many independent artist navigating the pandemic, she needed to postpone (and re-postpone) its launch. Now the album set to be released in late 2022.

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Guelph Mercury calls her “a revelation”. Globe and Mail says Karyn Ellis is a “must-see” songstress and has “a magical way with song.” Whether singing poignant tunes-of-the-heart or leading raucous sing-a-longs, Karyn is captivating, funny and smart in song and banter. And, that voice! Delicate and dynamic, she delivers thoughtful, crafted lyrics about every day wonders, beauty and hope.

Brought over as a babe-in-arms from the UK, Karyn grew up in Ontario, Canada in a household steeped in jazz and classical music. She studied two years of opera in University and through high school played trumpet in the marching band. Meanwhile she spent hours singing along to records by her favourite classic singer-songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and she was also a devout fan of David Bowie and the Beatles. A wide range of influences gave her a solid, eclectic musical foundation and enriched her distinctive folk / roots style. Recently she forayed from big city Toronto, Ontario to move to the Cariboo in British Columbia, where she lived for two years in a country house beside a river and two babbling creeks; now back in Toronto their rhythms continue to have their influence on her too.

She has played over six hundred live appearances, engaging audiences both across Canada and internationally. Her music is regularly featured on Canada's national radio station - CBC radio one & two - and has charted nationally on the campus/community radio charts.

• Winner of the 2012 Canadian Social Media Blogging Challenge (Ariel Hyatt/Cyber PR and Songwriter’s Association of Canada.)

• Her song, Little Grey Sparrow, was selected out of over 700 entries nationwide as one of five finalists representing Ontario in CBC Radio 3′s “David Suzuki’s Playlist For the Planet” songwriting contest, 2010.

• Her song, Motorcycle Ride, received an Honourable Mention in the Artswells Songwriting Contest, 2010.

• Shortlisted for the OCFF’s Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award in 2009 and 2010 (administered by the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals and the Ontario Arts Council.)

• Voted “Most Original New Voice” in 2007 by Humber College songwriting faculty that included artists Danny Michel, Dahmnait Doyle and US songwriter, Jules Shear.

• Several of her songs have been placed in TV and films including “Degrassi: The Tenth Season” (Epitome Pictures); “Robson Arms” (Omni Productions); UK filmmaker Gareth Griffith’s “Happy Fridays”, appearing at Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner; and Stand Alone’s “What is Indie” by filmmaker Dave Cool distributed by the National Film Board of Canada.