TORONTO — Irish Millie, a 19-year-old fiddler, singer and multi-instrumentalist, is continuing her rapid rise in Canada’s roots and folk music scene with the release of her new single, “WASTED,” a track that explores independence, distance and the emotional clarity that can come with growing up.
The single is positioned as a central release from her EP Between Then and Now, a project that reflects what Millie describes as the quiet transformation that happens between major life chapters. Written during her first year away from home after moving from Peterborough to Toronto for university, “WASTED” draws on everyday details—laundry, packed boxes and late-night reflection—to capture the push and pull of leaving home while realizing the strength of what was built there.
The release arrives as Millie collects high-profile recognition in the Canadian folk community. She is currently a seven-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee, including two 2026 nominations for Young Performer of the Year and Single of the Year for her song “You Were There.” The nominations add to earlier industry recognition, including 2025 nods for Folk Music Ontario’s Performing Artist of the Year and two additional CFMA nominations tied to her previous album, GRACE.
In “WASTED,” Millie’s songwriting focuses on the shift from youthful restlessness to gratitude. The song examines the emotional distance created by independence and the realization that the people who raised us often remain the most constant source of support, even as new routines and responsibilities take shape.
While the track is rooted in a personal moment—moving away for school—it also taps into a broader coming-of-age theme familiar to many young adults: the desire to start fresh, paired with the unexpected comfort of knowing that home still exists as a steady point of reference.
The narrative of the song builds through a series of reflective images, gradually moving toward a scene of isolation and vulnerability—being alone and “wasted” on the side of the road—while emphasizing a lasting sense of connection to family and the grounding promise that love remains stable, even at a distance.
Musically, “WASTED” signals an expansion in Millie’s sound. Known primarily for her fiddle work and traditional roots influence, she broadens the sonic palette with piano, synth and drums, creating a wider, more cinematic framework that supports the track’s emotional arc. The arrangement is designed to build slowly, with the fiddle remaining central as the song grows in intensity.
The single was recorded and co-produced in Toronto with Aaron Tsang, who is also Millie’s professor. The studio process, according to the release, emphasized restraint and “spatial honesty,” marking a step toward a more experimental and storytelling-driven production approach while maintaining the folk foundation that has helped define her early career.
The track also features a family connection in its instrumentation, with Millie’s father, Murray Shadgett, appearing on guitar. The collaboration reinforces the song’s theme of recognizing the people and relationships that provide stability during change.
Millie is currently studying Music Industry and Technology at the University of Toronto, balancing academic demands with a growing performance schedule. Her career has included appearances before crowds of more than 10,000, as well as recognition from established names in Celtic music, including Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy, who have praised her “fresh, lively” approach to the genre.
Her upcoming calendar includes a mix of Ontario dates and national industry milestones, including a scheduled appearance at the Canadian Folk Music Awards in Calgary this spring.
Upcoming performance dates include:
- January 23, 2026: Market Hall Performing Arts Centre — Peterborough, ON
- February 6, 2026: Brewer’s Pantry — Bowmanville, ON
- February 13, 2026: Hibernate Fundraiser, Port Hope United Church — Port Hope, ON
- March 13, 2026: The Spire — Kingston, ON
- April 9–12, 2026: Canadian Folk Music Awards — Calgary, AB
The release positions “WASTED” as a defining track within Between Then and Now, highlighting a shift in perspective that often comes with leaving home: recognizing the value of familiar voices and the strength of a foundation that can be easy to overlook while chasing what comes next.
From its writing during a first year away to its broader production and collaborative recording process, the single reflects a young artist in transition—expanding her sound, sharpening her songwriting and translating personal experience into a story with wide resonance.
