Nova Scotia native Baby Nova, who last attended Montreal’s Osheaga Music Festival as a spectator about a decade ago, is set to make a comeback to the event on Saturday, this time as a performer on the festival’s main stage. Baby Nova expressed her excitement and nervousness about the upcoming performance, emphasizing her desire to deliver a great show.
The indie-pop artist, originally from Halifax and now based in Los Angeles, garnered widespread acclaim with the release of her debut album, “Shhugar,” earlier this year. The album was even longlisted for Canada’s prestigious Polaris Music Prize. Baby Nova’s talent was recognized when she was included in Spotify’s Artists to Watch list for 2026 and showcased at Rolling Stone Canada’s Future of Music event. She is also scheduled to perform at the Fono Festival in Quebec City and the Sommo Festival in P.E.I.
Despite the seemingly sudden rise in her career, Baby Nova had been quietly honing her skills for nearly two decades. She revealed that her decision to pursue a music career was initially fueled by what she described as a dubious opportunity related to the TV series “Hannah Montana.” At 11 years old, she participated in auditions held by self-proclaimed talent scouts seeking the next Hannah Montana, which led her to attend a summer camp. This experience gave her the false confidence to believe in her potential as a performer.
Reflecting on her journey, Baby Nova shared that she began writing songs in the style of Hannah Montana after the camp. Her mother recently showed her a binder filled with approximately 300 songs that she had written before turning 16. While Baby Nova admitted that the early songs were not her best work, she acknowledged the passion and dedication that fueled her musical aspirations.
At the age of 17, Baby Nova secured a publishing deal to write songs for other artists, which allowed her to refine her craft by collaborating with seasoned songwriters. Following her high school graduation, she left Halifax for Montreal, embarking on a nomadic lifestyle that took her to various cities, including Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles, in pursuit of her music career.
Despite facing financial and mental challenges a couple of years ago, Baby Nova persevered and impressed an artist and repertoire (A&R) representative with her original music during a pivotal meeting. This encounter led to a significant breakthrough as she was offered a deal that marked a turning point in her career. Baby Nova’s determination and resilience continue to drive her forward, inspiring her to push through obstacles and setbacks.
The upcoming performance at Osheaga Music Festival represents a major milestone for Baby Nova, underscoring her journey from a festival attendee to a featured artist on the main stage. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and self-belief in pursuing one’s passion for music.