Edmonton Singer-Songwriter Channels Resilience and Renewal in New Rock Anthem
Edmonton-based singer-songwriter Dahlia Wakefield has released her latest single, “Light of the Phoenix,” marking what the artist describes as one of the most personal and defining moments of her two-decade music career.
The song, now available on major streaming platforms worldwide, is the fourth single from Wakefield’s forthcoming rock album Phoenix Rising, which is scheduled for release in October 2026 through Skyrocket Records. The release positions Wakefield among a growing number of independent Canadian artists leveraging deeply personal storytelling and strong regional support to build broader national and international audiences.
Driven by soaring vocals, layered instrumentation, and themes of resilience and self-empowerment, “Light of the Phoenix” reflects a creative turning point for the Alberta performer.
Song Explores Recovery and Self-Reclamation
At the centre of the single is a message of overcoming emotional hardship and reclaiming personal strength. The chorus delivers the song’s central theme with the lines: “By the light of the phoenix / I will find my way / I will rise above / And I will be okay.”
Another standout lyric further reinforces the song’s tone of defiance and recovery: “All the pain you caused just fueled the fire / You tried to ruin me but burning bright’s my best attire.”
The track was written in July 2023 during a collaborative songwriting session between Wakefield and longtime musical partner Kevin Frey. According to Wakefield, the song emerged organically from an emotional conversation and an immediately compelling chord progression.
“Writing it was incredibly cathartic — it felt like shedding weight and stepping into clarity,” says Wakefield. “It was one of those rare writing experiences that felt like a huge release — raw, emotional and deeply healing. The song poured out of us.”
Frey composed the music while Wakefield wrote the lyrics. The duo previously collaborated on “Still Waters,” which received a 2024 Josie Award nomination in Nashville.
Production Anchored in Alberta Music Community
“Light of the Phoenix” was produced, mixed, and mastered by Sandro Dominelli at Dominelli Studios in St. Albert, Alta. The recording features several longtime collaborators from Alberta’s music scene, including lead guitarist Alan Tymofichuk, bassist Jeff Godley, drummer Dennis Boisvert, and Frey on rhythm guitar.
Wakefield also contributed keyboards alongside lead and background vocals.
The recording process evolved over multiple stages, beginning with a simple phone demo before progressing through studio sessions in Edmonton and eventually reaching its final production stage at Dominelli Studios. The studio has also served as the recording location for Wakefield’s previous singles “Still Waters” and “Dreams of Yesterday.”
Wakefield emphasized the organic nature of the project, noting that the record was created entirely without artificial intelligence tools, relying instead on live musicianship and in-person collaboration.
Partnership With WIN House
Beyond its musical ambitions, the release is also tied to broader advocacy work. Wakefield has partnered with Edmonton-based WIN House, an organization that supports survivors of domestic violence.
The collaboration reflects the song’s focus on emotional survival, self-worth, and leaving toxic environments behind.
“Like the phoenix, the song is about rising from the ashes of pain and confusion into finding strength, clarity and self-worth again — reclaiming your voice and choosing yourself,” Wakefield explains. “I hope it empowers anyone in a toxic situation to find the strength to walk away and take back their power.”
The partnership arrives at a time when artists across Canada’s independent music industry are increasingly aligning releases with mental health awareness and community-based initiatives.
Expanding Creative Vision Through Video and Touring
The single is accompanied by a music video filmed in Ashcroft, B.C., during August 2025. Shot by Robin Matkea, the video uses desert landscapes and cinematic imagery to mirror the song’s themes of transformation and emergence.
Additional visual elements for the release include photography by Amanda Clark and cover artwork by Andrew Bacoto.
Wakefield, a graduate of Grant MacEwan University’s Music Program in Vocal Performance, has spent more than 20 years performing professionally across Western Canada. Her career has included appearances ranging from small community venues to large-scale public events, including performances for crowds exceeding 10,000 people in Edmonton’s Churchill Square.
In addition to her solo career, Wakefield performs with several active musical projects, including the Dahlia and Alan Duo, hard rock group Kerosene, casino act Dahlia & The Villains, and country-rock outfit Dirt Road Angels.
Her previous single, “Well Dressed Lies,” earned multiple International Singer Songwriters Association nominations, including International Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. Her work has also received coverage from outlets including Canadian Beats, Cashbox, Tinnitist, and Record World International.
Upcoming Tour Dates
June 12 & 13
- Caffreys, Sherwood Park, Alta.
- With Kerosene
- 9:30 p.m.
June 19
- Blowers & Grafton
- With Dahlia & Alan Duo
July 4
- Ottewell No Frills
- With Dahlia & Alan Duo
July 25
- Cornstock ’26 Main Stage, Taber, Alta.
- With Brigade (Heart Tribute Band)
- Opening for Nick Gilder of Sweeney Todd, Headpins, Honeymoon Suite, and Colin James
- Time TBA
October 16 & 17
- Caffreys, Sherwood Park, Alta.
- With Kerosene
- 9:30 p.m.
October 24
- Ryley Community Centre, Ryley, Alta.
- With Dahlia & The Villains
- 8 p.m.