MUSIC

ABOUT MARIYA

If Kacey Musgraves and Meghan Trainor had a country-soul love-child, the result would be Calgary, Canada-based country artist Mariya Stokes. Known for her quick wit, quirky sense of humour, and signature retro style, Country Music Alberta's two-time reigning Female Artist of the Year is in music for the long haul. From hosting the 2020 CMAB Awards Show alongside the legendary George Canyon to playing guitar and opening for Ru-Pauls Drag Race superstar Trixie Mattel, Stokes always appears where you'd least expect her.

With confident, expressive vocals and gritty steel guitar, her current single, "Break My Heart," is a laid-back, pop-country feminist anthem. Produced by Juno Award-winners Spencer Cheyne and Justin Kudding and dripping with attitude, Stokes' fourth single solidifies her commitment to empowering women and telling their stories.

Introducing herself with three singles, Stokes' 2019 feel-good debut,"Hands on My Body," pushed country music boundaries with an R&B feel and sex-positive lyrics. Her second single, "Christmas, Arizona," landed in the Top 100 on the BDS Canadian Holiday Chart and was followed by a vulnerable, heart-wrenching ballad: "Rebound."  Released in October 2020, “Rebound” was featured across Canada as the "Next Big Thing" on the Casey Clarke Country Countdown and has over 100,000 streams on Spotify.

Growing up in Stavely, Alberta, an hour south of Calgary, Stokes spent time in her parents' small-town bar, and at eight years old, was sneaking in on Friday afternoons to sing with the local jam band. Now a seasoned performer, she has opened for Doc Walker, Jocelyn Alice, and Jann Arden and was one of three artists selected to work with 19-time CCMA winner Terri Clark at National Music Centre's RBC Master in Residence program in 2019. In addition, Stokes' was the 2019 runner-up in Project WILD, a country-focused artist development program run by WILD 95.3 FM (Calgary) and Alberta Music. 

Her small-town, community-minded values have followed her to the big city: Stokes was a 2020 Artist in Residence at the Women's Centre of Calgary. A past volunteer at the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre, she worked on two charity records and independently organized numerous coat drives for the organization.

Focusing heavily on songwriting, Stokes has had songs recorded by artists in multiple genres, including CCMA nominees Leaving Thomas, alt-pop singer Celia Palli, country-rocker Devin Cooper, and pop singer Hayden McHugh.

"I'm a songwriter first." Stokes says, "My music is rooted in country, but if the production that feels right bends outside of the genre, I'll go there. My sound changes drastically with each release because I’m constantly evolving, and I like to keep my fans excited for what could be coming next."

MUSIC VIDEOS

PHOTOS

"Mariya Stokes is an excellent musician.  She thinks creatively and uniquely as an artist; her work ethic is exemplary - she is prepared and dependable; she has a passion for performing and continually learning about music; I respect her extraordinary talents as a singer/songwriter and musician."

- Brian Farrell, Vocal Coach & Artist Mentor

TESTIMONIALS

“Mariya Stokes is not only an incredibly talented musician but also fantastic to work with. She always ensures that the client’s needs are met through her professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond expectations.”

- Kelsey VanRaay, Fuze Entertainment

"She is an incredibly talented songwriter and has a very unique, quirky, and super catchy style. On top of all of this, she is also a fantastic singer. Mariya is also driven, an extremely hard worker, and has a great attitude. I truly believe she will be a well-known artist on the Canadian Music scene in the short years to come."

- Spencer Cheyne, Invoke Music & OCL Studios

CONTACT

Management & Bookings:

Natasha Mandrusiak

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Publicity & Media Inquiries:

Alley Cat PR

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HANDS ON MY BODY

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS

"Alberta’s Mariya Stokes sees success in country music scene"

• Global News Morning Edmonton (February 2020)

'“Stokes nominated for three Country Music Alberta Awards”

• Rob Vogt, Claresholm Local Press (March 2021)

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"Stokes named female artist of the year”

• Rob Vogt, Claresholm Local Press (January 2020)

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"With a degree in life and music, Calgary country artist Mariya Stokes is in it for the "slowburn."

• Mike Bell, The YYSCENE (July 2019)

REBOUND

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“There are some songs that are more than just songs…they’re art. And that’s the case with rising artist Mariya Stokes’ newest release “Rebound.””

• Aaron Wagner, Raised On It (October 2020)

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“There are times when an artist releases a new single that touches the listener from the very first strum of the guitar quickly followed by captivating them with the very first lyric. The latest artist to do this is Alberta’s Mariya Stokes on “Rebound”. Not only does it capture the pain of not being “the chosen one”, but gives a sort-of strength for those needing to shed some tears in order to get back up again.”

• Pamela Roz, Canadian Beats Media (October 2020)

“A masterclass in a restrained vocal performance, "Rebound" by Mariya Stokes has us feeling all the feels. All of them.”

• Dan Clapson, Eat North (October 2020)

“The third release since her 2019 debut, “Rebound” demonstrates the incredible versatility Mariya possesses as an artist.”

• The Country Note (October 2020)

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“This is a hit! Mariya Stokes – “Hands on my body” is the feel-good pop song the world needs right now.”

• Ear To The Ground Music (February 2019)

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“The Abrams, Mariya Stokes Earn Strong Nods From Country Radio”

• FYI Music News (August 2019)

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“After seeing Mariya Stokes’ “Hands On My Body” appear on the Top Country Sales Chart back in February, I was immediately hooked. The song is catchy, fun and full of good vibes.”

• “Top Country Artists You Need To Discover” - Mary Murrill, Top Country (May 2019)

"The song itself has a sparkle and Mariya’s vocals glitter - I was hooked in the first 10 seconds. "Hands on My Body" will be stuck your head and you’ll be grooving along, singing along and putting it on repeat!" 

• Sarah Scott , 99.7 Sun Country

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“‘Hands on My Body is a sugar-sweet temptation, wrapped in a little bit of slow funk.”

• Krister Astel, ChillFiltr (February 2019)

CHRISTMAS, ARIZONA

Mariya Stokes performs new ‘holiday’ single

• CTV Saskatoon (December 2020)

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Canadian Beats all nice list, Christmas music Part 1

Dutch Bickell, Canadian Beats (December 2019)