Nova Scotia native Baby Nova, who last attended the Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal as a spectator a decade ago, will now grace the main stage as a performer this Saturday. Expressing excitement and nerves about her return to the festival, she reflects on her debut album, “Shhugar,” which garnered acclaim and was longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize in Canada this year.

Hailing from Halifax but now based in Los Angeles, this indie-pop artist has been making waves in the music scene. Notably, she was selected for Spotify’s Artists to Watch list for 2026 and recently showcased her talent at Rolling Stone Canada’s Future of Music event. Baby Nova is set to captivate audiences at upcoming music festivals like Fono Festival in Quebec City and Sommo Festival in P.E.I.

Despite her seemingly sudden rise to success, Baby Nova has been honing her craft for nearly two decades. Her journey began when, at age 11, she was inspired by the TV series “Hannah Montana” and attended a summer camp for aspiring talents. Encouraged by the experience, she started composing songs in the style of the show.

Reflecting on her early songwriting endeavors, Baby Nova acknowledges the growth in her craft over the years. After securing a publishing deal at 17 to write songs for other artists, she embarked on a journey that took her from Halifax to Montreal, Toronto, New York, and eventually Los Angeles in pursuit of her music career.

Facing financial and mental challenges a couple of years ago, Baby Nova found herself on the brink of giving up. However, a pivotal meeting with an artist and repertoire representative in Beverly Hills reignited her passion. Despite walking for hours due to lack of funds, her determination and talent impressed the representative, leading to a promising opportunity that reshaped her career trajectory.

Baby Nova’s resilience and dedication serve as a driving force in her pursuit of musical excellence, inspiring her to push through obstacles and continue chasing her dreams.