Yellowknife singer-songwriter Grace Clark is heading to Victoria, BC this October for BreakOut West, bringing a new full-band sound she has been developing while studying jazz in Montreal.
BreakOut West is a four-day music conference and festival that combines panels, workshops and networking events with live performances.
Clark is one of four artists from the Northwest Territories attending this year’s conference and music festival – the first time four NWT artists will attend in the same year.
“I’m really, really excited to just play music with my friends and meet new people,” Clark told Cabin Radio.
It’ll be her first time at BreakOut West. She applied after feeling like she had found her sound with the band in Montreal. Yellowknife musician Ben Cornel will play guitar during her performance.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
Clark has always been drawn to the Canadian summer festival scene, something she credits in part to growing up with Folk on the Rocks, Yellowknife’s big annual festival.
“I basically was raised there,” she said.
Now, Clark hopes the conference will help her make connections for future festival bookings and career development.
“I have the artist and the songwriter side down, I think, but I’m really still learning about the business side of things,” she said.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
That learning comes as Clark’s music continues to evolve.
Her acoustic music reflects some of her musical roots, including her experience playing fiddle. More recently, she has recorded with friends from jazz school in Montreal in a full-band format.
That is the sound she plans to bring to BreakOut West.
Clark hopes to release the new material as an EP in spring 2027.
Her northern roots continue to shape her songwriting. She said nature and life in Yellowknife are major sources of inspiration, and returning home always makes her want to create.
Clark plans to return to Yellowknife this winter. She has received approval to open for an artist at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre in December, with more details expected soon.
For now, Clark is focused on Victoria and the opportunity to represent the North alongside other NWT musicians.
“It’ll just be a nice opportunity to support the other Yellowknife artists also going,” she said.
