Nova Scotia native Baby Nova is set to perform at the Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal this Saturday, marking a significant return to the event where she had previously been part of the audience around ten years ago. The indie-pop musician, who hails from Halifax and is now based in Los Angeles, released her debut album, “Shhugar,” this year to critical acclaim and made it to the longlist for Canada’s prestigious Polaris Music Prize.
Baby Nova, who was included in Spotify’s Artists to Watch list for 2026 and showcased at Rolling Stone Canada’s Future of Music event, is gearing up for performances at the Fono Festival in Quebec City and the Sommo Festival in P.E.I. Despite her seemingly sudden rise in the music scene, she has been honing her craft for nearly two decades, with her early ambition sparked by a unique experience tied to the TV series “Hannah Montana.”
The TV show’s portrayal of a teenager leading a double life as a pop star inspired Nova when she was just 11 years old. Following an encounter with supposed talent scouts scouting for the next Hannah Montana, Nova attended a summer camp that fueled her confidence and kickstarted her songwriting journey. Reflecting on her past, Nova acknowledges the quality of her early compositions but emphasizes the passion that has driven her musical pursuits.
Having secured a publishing deal at 17 to write songs for others, Nova eventually relocated from Halifax to Montreal after completing high school. She has since navigated a nomadic lifestyle across Montreal, Toronto, New York, and Los Angeles in pursuit of her music career. Despite facing financial and personal challenges, Nova’s persistence paid off when a chance meeting with an A&R representative in Los Angeles led to a breakthrough opportunity, reinforcing her determination to push through adversity in pursuit of her dreams.