Eliza Niemi’s Ethereal New Album “Progress Bakery” Out Now via Tin Angel Records
Toronto-based artist Eliza Niemi unveils her ethereal new album Progress Bakery via Tin Angel Records. Featuring dreamy soundscapes, introspective lyrics, and collaborations with top indie musicians, the album is a captivating journey through melancholic yet hopeful melodies.
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Toronto-based rising artist Eliza Niemi today released her stunning, ethereal new album Progress Bakery via Tin Angel Records. The follow-up to her 2022 debut LP Staying Mellow Blows–which was longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize–was recorded with Louie Short, who co-produced the LP along with Niemi, Jeremy Ray and Lukas Cheung (Mother Tongues). In addition to her own work as a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (primarily cello, as well as keys, bass, and guitar), Niemi enlisted help throughout Progress Bakery from her local community, including: drums by Evan Cartwright (Cola, Jennifer Castle, Andy Shauf); vocals by Dorothea Paas (U.S. Girls, Fucked Up); keys by Kenny Boothby (Little Kid); and percussion by Ed Squires (U.S. Girls), among others. Progress Bakery is available for order HERE. Additionally, Niemi’s own Vain Mina Records will release a limited edition cassette of the album in Canada.
Niemi was this week’s guest on the Kreative Kontrol podcast, while the album was highlighted by Exclaim!’s Staff Picks, NPR Music’s New Music Friday playlist, and singles “DM BF,” “Melodies Like Mark,” “Do U FM” earned praise and support from CBC Music, FLOOD Magazine, Talkhouse, Exclaim!, Glamglare, and more. Niemi will showcase the LP with a full-band on her upcoming co-headlining Canadian tour with Advance Base, including an album release show at Toronto’s The Garrison on April 27th; a full itinerary is below and tickets are on-sale now.
Niemi’s introspective music is at once delicate and playful, with melodies precisely cast like stones across clear water, touching down only briefly with uncommon grace. She slip-slides through words, sounds, and images, delighting in surprise. “A few years ago I sublet an apartment during a pretty heavy time in my life, and right down the street was a spot called Progress Bakery,” she explains. “I would walk by it every day on my way to work, often get a coffee, and chew on its name all morning. I thought it was quite funny and weirdly fitting for where I was at in my life. Their sign out front is half fallen off (it says ‘gress bakery’) and their espresso is amazing–it’s like jet fuel. It embodies many juxtapositions and overall has a really warm and heartening feel.”
“I wanted to make an album like the bakery’s broken sign–funny, strange, warm, melancholic and hopeful, that embodied this feeling of making steady yet non-linear progress. I chose to show my process more than in my previous releases–to zoom in on little moments in my thinking about and writing of the album. Sometimes you have to dissect something to be able to understand or move through it,” she adds.
“A fantastical journey through magical mundanity” – Exclaim! Staff Picks
“Niemi’s vibrant sense of humour is balanced by a sincere exploration of what it means to be alone and the relationship one has with oneself. It’s all wrapped in a dreamy soundscape complete with airy flute accents and a billowing guitar riff that feels like the beaming sun Niemi sings about. ‘DM BF’ is the perfect song to listen to as you enjoy the first warm days of the year.” – CBC Music (on “DM BF”)
Eliza Niemi 2025 Tour Dates:
04/26 – Hamilton, ON – Into the Abyss #
04/27 – Toronto, ON – The Garrison #
04/28 – Ottawa, ON – Club Saw #
04/29 – Montréal, QC – Toscadura #
04/30 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti #
05/01 – Fredericton, NB – The Cap #
05/02 – Charlottetown, PEI – Baba’s Lounge #
05/03 – Halifax, NS – Propeller Arcade #
# Co-headlining with Advance Base
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