Written By MARNI WALSH

2018 has been another year of successes for Shelburne's Sohayla Smith Band. Last year they were nominated for “Best in Country” at the Toronto Independent Music Awards and now the group has been selected for a direct-to-vinyl session with Leesta Vall Sound Recordings.

The honour was garnered through a Leesta Vall campaign on ReverbNation, an American online platform providing tools and opportunities for musicians.

Well known in Shelburne as the owner of Troupe-Adore and founder of Souphaus, Sohayla Smith says she has been writing songs since she was 12 years old. From 1995-2008, Sohayla played a large number of open mics, little venues all over the GTA, weddings, festivals, and busked, releasing her first CD in 2008. In 2009, Sohayla formed a trio with the Smith Brothers - guitar players and singers Adrian and Nathan from the band “The Pedestrians.”

     The current Sohayla Smith Band includes Sohayla Smith, Nick Ovington, and Adrian Smith. The band has also planned a trip to New York, including a show at the Rockwood Music Hall. Sohayla Smith says the trip is part of a mini international tour to say “thanks to our musical friends who connected us on the other side of the border.”

    The recording session takes place at Leesta Vall Sound Recordings in Brooklyn, on December 16th, and will be live on facebook. Fans can watch it at:  https://www.facebook.com/leestavall.

   If fans would like to support the Shelburne band, and their trip to New York, they can do so by ordering one of the 7” custom cut vinyl records for $25. “There's a limited number, so please don't wait,” says Sohayla Smith. Go to: https://leestavall.com/products/sohaylasmithband and choose your favourite song from the list.

Sohayla Smith says, “Each record contains a one-of-a-kind live take. All of these records are in effect masters with no other copies made.  Think of them like audio polaroids…each individual from one another and each 100% one-of-a-kind.” She says the band will even leave a personal message of thanks on your record. This offer is only on pre-orders before December 16th. See their promotional video for the new records at :

YouTube Video: YouTube.com/watch?v=iUaUdH3CqGE