Leif Vollebekk is a Canadian indie folk singer-songwriter,"Leif Vollebekk Let His Subconscious Be the Guide on 'Twin Solitude'". Exclaim!, March 3, 2017. whose 2017 album Twin Solitude was a shortlisted finalist for the 2017 Polaris Music Prize"Polaris Music Prize shortlist includes Leonard Cohen, Gord Downie". The Globe and Mail, July 13, 2017. and the 2018 Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year."Arcade Fire and Daniel Caesar lead 2018 Juno Award nominations". CBC Music, February 6, 2018.
Of mixed Norwegian and French descent"Leif Vollebekk brings a bit of Iceland back". The Concordian, November 17, 2009. and originally from Ottawa, Ontario,"Leif Vollebekk’s Twin Solitudes, a track-by-track journey through space, time, and Florida" . Ottawa Magazine, April 7, 2017. he learned to play violin, guitar and piano in childhood. While studying philosophy at the University of Ottawa he spent some time in Iceland on a layover, before moving to Montreal after graduation to pursue his musical career.
Career 2010s His debut album, Inland, was released on Nevado Records in 2010,"Leif Vollebekk: Inland". Exclaim!, January 15, 2010. and incorporated some songs he had written during his trip to Iceland. He followed up with North Americana in 2013 on Outside Music."Leif Vollebekk: North Americana". Exclaim!, February 20, 2013.
He then signed to Secret City Records, which released Twin Solitude in 2017."Leif Vollebekk works well with constraints". The Georgia Straight, April 26, 2017. The album garnered a Juno Award nomination and was shortlisted for a Polaris Music Prize.
All three albums were supported by extensive touring in both North America and Europe."Retenez bien le nom de Leif Vollebekk et écoutez son nouvel album bouleversant en exclu". Les Inrockuptibles, February 23, 2017.
His fourth album, New Ways, was released November 1, 2019 on Secret City Records."Leif Vollebekk Returns with 'New Ways' LP". Exclaim!, June 18, 2019. The lead single "Hot Tears" was an Atwood Magazine Editor's Pick.
He also contributed to Piano mal, the 2012 debut album by Julien Sagot.Émilie Côté, "Julien Sagot: musicien libre". La Presse, January 28, 2012.
2020s His album Revelation, mixed by Tchad Blake and mastered by Greg Calbi, was released September 27, 2024. Following a fall EU tour he toured the U.S. in November, and a European tour and further European dates and a Canadian tour were scheduled to follow.
The songs reflected spiritual explorations and dreams during his experience during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Vollebekk produced the album himself and played guitar, bass, piano, harmonica, B3 organ, Moog synthesizer, and accordion.
In 2024 Vollebekk's song "Into the Ether" from his Twin Solitude album was included in Episode 7 of the AppleTV+ series Shrinking.
Revelation received a Juno Award nomination for Adult Alternative Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2025.Holly Gordon, "Here are all the 2025 Juno nominees". CBC Music, February 11, 2025.
Discography Inland (2010) North Americana (2013) Twin Solitude (2017) New Ways (2019) Revelation (2024)Allie Gregory, "Leif Vollebekk Details New Album 'Revelation'". Exclaim!, May 23, 2024.
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