Erica Viegas

When Erica Viegas (pronounced Vee-ay-guess) begins to play, the room feels a little cozier. The chairs become a little more comfortable, and she spreads the spotlight over the room, not celebrating herself, but the audience.

A recurring question motivates her: How can a great song bring meaning and thought to its listener? Her journey has taken her in a myriad of directions and countries (over 30 of them!), introducing her to numerous others artists searching for their own answer. Viegas has also shared the stage with many musical travelers, such as Danny Michel, Del Barber, Meaghan Smith, Chris Trapper, Craig Cardiff and Ruth Moody (Wailin’ Jennys) and for the past several years, Viegas has worked closely with Mike Lent and Russell Broom—players, producers, and Jann Arden alumni—to record what she’s discovered in her journey. Viegas’s first album, “Where My Heart Goes,” has branched out across the country through CBC and CKUA radio play, helped along through her many live performances.

In May 2013, she released a first full length album, Unravel, and went on tour across Canada in partnership with Via Rail. Viegas was named a finalist twice in the same year for Calgary’s Folk Festival Songwriter competition in 2012 and took home “Artist to Watch” at the inaugural Edmonton Music Awards. She was also named Avenue Magazine Edmonton’s “Top 40 Under 40,” and Edmontonian’s “Sizzling 20 Under 30,” in the same year. Viegas is a visibly giving artist, something that comes through her music and the many charities she supports.

Her songs invite her audience to take part in the adventure of her life in a way that is caring and open, relating to her quirky stories of the everyday. Each song holds a discovery, with lyrics that make you feel like you are holding a warm cup of tea. Their unassuming nature display a life motivated by sharing and connection.

Listening to Viegas on a festival stage or a coffee shop brings out the same feeling of vulnerability. No matter the venue, no matter the night, Viegas is willing to share with you what she in her travels has discovered to be a great story.