Begonia is the stage name of Alexa Dirks, a Canadian pop singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba.[1] She is most noted for her 2019 album Fear, which was longlisted for the 2020 Polaris Music Prize[2] and shortlisted for the Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2021.[3]

Formerly a member of the Juno Award winning band Chic Gamine,[4] Dirks launched her solo career in 2017 with the EP Lady in Mind.[5] The EP's single "Juniper" reached #1 on the Radio 2 Top 20.[5]

The single "Hanging on a Line" was released in June 2019 as a preview of Fear.[6] She undertook a Canadian tour over the summer, before releasing Fear in September.[7]

Her album Powder Blue was shortlisted for the 2023 Polaris Music Prize,[8] and received a Juno Award nomination for Adult Alternative Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2024.[9]

References

  1. ^ "No shrinking violet: Begonia talks power and confidence ahead of Saskatoon jazz fest shows". CBC News Saskatoon, June 24, 2017.
  2. ^ Lau, Melody (June 15, 2020). "Daniel Caesar, Jessie Reyez, Caribou and more make the 2020 Polaris Music Prize long list". CBC Music.
  3. ^ Holly Gordon, "The Weeknd, JP Saxe, Jessie Reyez and Justin Bieber lead 2021 Juno Award nominations". CBC Music, March 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "Chic Gamine follow their musical instincts; Juno-winning Winnipeg band 'always evolving'". Edmonton Journal, February 27, 2014.
  5. ^ a b Kerry Doole, "Begonia, Lady in Mind". Exclaim!, February 8, 2017.
  6. ^ Calum Slingerland, "Begonia Unveils Debut Album 'Fear'". Exclaim!, June 21, 2019.
  7. ^ Chaka V. Grier, "Review: Canadian pop singer Begonia wrestles with big questions on Fear". Now, September 24, 2019.
  8. ^ "Here's the 2023 Polaris Music Prize short list". CBC Music, July 13, 2023.
  9. ^ "Here are all the 2024 Juno nominees". CBC Music, February 6, 2024.