From desert-dusk Americana to driving indie rock, Canadian artist Elli Hart carves out a sound that’s as haunting as it is powerful. With a voice that slices through the noise and guitar lines to match, her songs tap into rebellion, resilience, and raw vulnerability—a soundtrack for anyone who’s never quite fit the mold.
First breaking through under the moniker Dirty Mountain, Hart shared stages with Eric Church, Little Big Town, and the Arkells, lighting up festival main stages at Sunfest, Rock the Shores, and Rifflandia. When the pandemic abruptly stalled her momentum, she was forced to reassess what truly mattered. Stepping into motherhood, she pushed back against the idea that she couldn’t be both parent and artist, slowly rebuilding her confidence and creative fire.
Now, under her own name, Hart is gearing up to release a ten-song album produced by Dave Genn (54-40, Marianas Trench), featuring Pat Steward (Bryan Adams) on drums, Darren Parris (Frazey Ford) on bass, and guest appearances from Shaun Verreault (Wide Mouth Mason), Paul Rigby (Neko Case), and Darren Savard (Dallas Smith). Rolled out as singles through 2025–26, the record marks a bold new chapter—Elli Hart, fully and unapologetically herself.
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
I love people, so I love meeting and collaborating with other artists and meeting all the people who make the industry happen—from the people behind the scenes to the folks who listen to the music and come to the shows. I consider myself very lucky to get to be a part of this community.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
My music sits somewhere between country, blues, and rock. It’s got that gritty, rootsy feel, but it’s also emotional and personal. A lot of it comes from real experiences—trying to make sense of loss, love, and finding yourself again.
What are your ambitions as a songwriter and musician from here?
After a five-year hiatus, I’m just stepping back into this world, and honestly, this is a question I ask myself often. In a perfect world, I’d love to be creating and performing full time—that’s definitely the dream—but for now, I’m taking it day by day. I try to check in with myself regularly to make sure I’m still enjoying what I’m doing and keeping my expectations realistic so I don’t burn out or lose the joy that brought me back to music in the first place.
Music is my creative outlet, and it brings me a lot of fulfillment, but I’ve learned that if I lose touch with that because I’m chasing some idea of success, then I’ve missed the point. I have a two-year-old son and a family that means the world to me, and that comes first. So while I might not be able to give everything I have to music all the time, that balance is important—and I actually think it makes the art more honest.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
In a world that feels more divided than ever, I think it’s so important to stay open and welcoming to one another—to listen with curiosity, even when we don’t agree. Different world views don’t have to make us enemies; we can still coexist with kindness and mutual respect. I really believe we’re stronger together than apart. My music often speaks about rebelling against systems—not against each other.
Where was your current project recorded?
The project was recorded in Vancouver, split between Hipposonic Studios and my producer’s private studio. It was such a great mix of big-studio energy and a more intimate creative space.
Was anyone else involved in writing, recording, or producing the songs?
Yes—the album was produced and co-written with Dave Genn (54-40, Marianas Trench) in Vancouver. The sessions also featured Pat Stewart (Bryan Adams) on drums and Shaun Verreault (Wide Mouth Mason) on slide guitar. Each of them brought their own unique style and energy to the songs, which really helped shape the sound of the record.
What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Any releases planned? Future gigs?
I’ll be rolling out new songs every few months and playing more shows around B.C., with plans to make it over to Alberta in the spring.
If you could pass on a nugget of wisdom to the next musical generation, what would it be?
Don’t let fear or uncertainty stop you from trying something new. There’s a lot of talk about AI and how it might change things, but people will always crave connection—and music is one of the most powerful ways we share that. Keep making real, human art. That’s what brings people together.
If you could be a superhero, what would your superpower be and your superhero name?
I’ve always wanted x-ray vision so I could see into a bag of ketchup chips (IFKYK) and pick the one with the most flavor—because for some reason, they’re never evenly coated! As for a superhero name… absolutely no idea. I hate naming things—don’t make me do it!
What is your most expensive piece of clothing?
Oh man, I recently spent a small fortune on some amazing vintage pieces. I couldn’t tell you what each one cost, but as a whole, it was enough to spark a marital “budget discussion.” Totally worth it though—I found some incredible leather jackets with all the tassels, a few leather and hide vests and skirts, and of course… boots!
Which are cooler? Dinosaurs or Dragons?
Ok, so for my day job I work at a natural history museum where I have actual dinosaur scientists as co-workers, so I’ve been learning a lot about dinosaurs the past year, and they are very cool… But I’m a fantasy girl and will always be mildly obsessed with dragons, so I think they’re cooler!