Canadian Folk Music’s 2021 Emerging Artist of the Year, Noah Derksen is quickly becoming known as a songwriter’s songwriter. Hailing from the heart of the Canadian Prairies, Noah has spent years honing his craft up, down, and across North America. With a rich and soulful voice, Noah weaves poetry that sounds instantly familiar on first listen. He currently resides in the West Broadway neighbourhood of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
His new album, Sanctity of Silence, was just released on March 9th, 2023 via Symphonic.
“This album represents a snapshot in my life. These past few years have been dominated by love—in its beauty and its hardships. These nine songs present the story of love from start to finish, from Highway 17 in Northwestern Ontario to being devastatingly alone on my basement floor just two years later. The songs are ordered as I wrote and experienced them, and each capture a specific moment along this fated arc of love. Recording this album was the best form of therapy I could have ever hoped for.”
This release is a follow up to Noah’s 2019 album, America, Dreaming. Produced by Murray Pulver and featuring artwork by another JUNO-winner Roberta Landreth, the album explores Noah’s identity as an American citizen and how this has changed over time. The album earned him a 2021 Canadian Folk Music Award for Emerging Artist of the Year.
Plus, Noah’s got long, flowing auburn hair and a twinkle in his eye. What’s not to love?