Folk singer-songwriter Camie is this year’s recipient of the Ontario Arts Council (OAC)’s Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award for her song “Winter.”
Camie is the alternative folk project of Hamilton-raised artist Camille Intson. Her recently released EP, troubadour, was written and produced in complete isolation during the second and third waves of the pandemic. Camie cites Canadiana songbirds as influences to her music, including Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen.
The award-winning song, “Winter” is Camie’s first new single following her EP. The track pairs rich vocals and gentle guitar-picking with lush, ambient soundscapes to paint a portrait of a young woman meditating on loneliness and unrequited love with the changing of the seasons. It was called “a transcendent listening experience” by Buzz Music.
The annual $1,000 award honours namesake Colleen Peterson’s contribution to Canadian music by supporting and promoting the work of Ontario’s emerging singer-songwriters in the roots, traditional, folk and country genres. The fund was established in 2003 by Peterson’s sister, Shirley Richardson, and her friend, singer-songwriter Laura Bird.
The jury that selected “Winter” for the Peterson Award stated: “This song is beautiful and captivating. We love the arrangement, writing, delivery and production – everything about it is really awesome.”
As an artist, Camille Intson is not only receiving accolades for her musical skills. In September, Beyond James wrote how Intson’s playwriting skills had earned her a Greenhouse residency with Tarragon Theatre, which is helping to bring her latest innovative piece to life.
As a playwright, Intson’s work has also earned awards. Her 2019 piece, We All Got Lost, billed as a “queer gothic coming-of-age play,” took home numerous awards including the Hamilton Fringe Festival’s New Play Contest, Best of Fringe, and the Robert Beardsley Award for Young Playwrights 2021.
Camie will receive her songwriting award as part of the Ontario Folk Music Awards on Sunday, October 16. The event is taking place at Folk Music Ontario’s annual conference, held this year in London, Ontario. The award will be presented by OAC’s newly appointed CEO, Michael Murray.
