With deep gratitude to the First Peoples' Cultural Council. The album delves deep into Norine Braun's personal journey as an adoptee, exploring the challenges of forming an authentic sense of self when growing up away from a bloodline. "Journey Toward Wholeness" is a testament to Braun's resilience and her symbolic and literal quest for roots that played a crucial role in her pursuit of wholeness.

RECENT REVIEWS: “We break through in this enlightening journey with 'Bring It On' and this is a tale of self-reflection. Where one swims between the thoughts of past and present, this is a journey of recognizing oneself as this force that'll rule the world….. this album is a must-listen.” Testing Melodies

“Classic songwriting for a long drive” Lobelia Records Playlist

“We begin with the beautifully graceful ‘Bring It On’ A stellar offering from a hugely gifted musician.  Serious album alert!” Jeremy Bregman Mesmerized

“Delightfully sophisticated, ‘Journey Towards Wholeness’ is a true highlight of her illustrious tenure to date, brimming with a soulful rhythm that we could get lost in for days. She skilfully and stylishly delivers these wonderfully sprawling moments that add to the vibrant nature of this release, adding her own distinctive flair to its galloping twelve-track runtime.” LOCKMAG.co.Uk

“While her reputation for spellbinding works has been well catalogued, 'Journey Towards Wholeness' feels like the beginnings of something new for her to explore. With a more expansive and eclectic vision throughout, Norine Braun continues her ascent as one of the more compelling names doing the rounds right now.” The Real Ding

“…consumes in its dynamic sound and personal lyricism, driven by Braun’s experiences as an adoptee. A diverse tonal assortment shows, from bluesy rock suaveness to soulful grooves and southern-touched folk nostalgia” Obscure Sound

The theatrical female vocals convey a poetry filled with powerful images. The artistic direction of the accompanying videos enhances the powerful message of this work of identity.” Boulimique de Musique

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Journey Toward Wholeness Out Now!

Norine Braun Embarks on a Soulful Journey Toward Wholeness

Canadian Singer-Songwriter Recording Artist Norine Braun Unveils Transformative Musical Odyssey with the concept album 'Journey Toward Wholeness,' Exploring Identity, Heritage, and the Universal Quest for Self-Discovery

Canadian singer-songwriter Norine Braun, celebrated for her prolific career spanning 14 albums, is set to release her highly anticipated new album, "Journey Toward Wholeness," in May 2024. The creation of this poignant album was made possible through the support of a grant from the First Peoples' Cultural Council.

The album delves deep into Norine Braun's personal journey as an adoptee, exploring the challenges of forming an authentic sense of self when growing up away from a bloodline. "Journey Toward Wholeness" is a testament to Braun's resilience and her symbolic and literal quest for roots that played a crucial role in her pursuit of discovering her ancestry.

Braun's story takes a compelling turn as she shares her decade-long struggle to uncover her paternal roots. Last year, in the midst of grieving the passing of her loving mother—who had adopted her—Braun received a life-altering email from a second cousin who unveiled the identity of her birth father. The revelation not only connected her with a living parent but also opened the door to a newfound family filled with musicians, trappers, World War II veterans, and even historical figures such as her great, great, great grandfather, Pierre Poitras, a member of Louis Riel’s council of 40. Braun discovered that she belongs to the Red River Metis heritage, a revelation that is explored and celebrated in her upcoming album.

The musical narrative of "Journey Toward Wholeness" is a reflection of Braun's quest for wholeness and her desire to share the discovery of her paternal bloodline, the Red River Metis. The album promises a rich and evocative experience, combining Braun's soulful vocals with a melodic exploration of identity, heritage, and the universal journey of self-discovery.

With the album release , Norine Braun invites audiences to join her on this transformative musical odyssey. The album promises to resonate with those who, like Braun, have faced the challenges of unknown ancestry, offering insight and inspiration to individuals on their own journeys of self-discovery.

THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND WITH GREAT APPRECIATION FOR THE SUPPORT OF FACTOR, CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS AND FIRST PEOPLES' CULTURAL COUNCIL FOR HELPING SUPPORT THIS ALBUM. I went for a walk that brought me into the west coast forests. There, immersed in fresh air and sweet sounds, I found joy, healing, and connection that kindled my reverence for these ancient souls. Listen closely and the trees will speak to you. They have messages for all who listen. Join me and we will walk together through the beauty of the forest. ‘Songs For Trees’ is my homage to these amazing spirits.

We live in a time of great peril. As I write these songs, a global pandemic refuses to diminish its grip on our world. My songwriting could not bring relief from the summer searing temperatures brought on by a heat dome that had my city and province in its grip. Hot days and sweltering nights brought death for too many vulnerable people. While recording this album, drought desiccated millions of sacred trees and exposed them to historic wildfires. Entire towns became cinder and ash. While mastering ‘Songs For Trees,’ an atmospheric river burst from the clouds and drenched our scorched earth. A month of rain poured down in 48 hours. Massive flooding brought landslides and entire cities became barren swamps. After the deluge, farmers became refugees and their animals perished by the thousands. None of us can turn away from the unrelenting catastrophes that challenge even the strongest among us. We are all interconnected, what happens to the trees happens to us. The trees know this. Examine them, spend time with them, learn from them and please help save them. 

Trees are the lungs of the planet. They are the most crucial living organisms on earth, affecting our environment more than anything else. They are fundamental to the continuity of life on the planet. They are our salvation and the key to abating climate change at a pivotal time of the healing for this world. May you find solace, strength and wonder in the music. May ‘Songs For Trees’ inspire you to search out positive change. Plant trees, save the ancient ones, clean up garbage, live sustainably and go into the forest.

I dedicate ‘Songs For Trees’ to my dear, loving Mother who became ill and passed away while I wrote the lyrics and music for this album. Her spirit found me in the forest as I composed these songs. I also dedicate it to my birth Father who found me only days after I lost my Mother. My journey continues and I am forever indebted to the trees.

Special thanks to Canada Council for the Arts, First Peoples’ Cultural Council, Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn

10% of net profits from downloads and CD sales donated to TreeCanada.ca and OneTreePlanted.org

Norine Braun Vocals, Acoustic and Rhythm Guitar Adam Popowitz Bass, Lead Guitar, Hand Percussion Elliot Polsky Drums and Percussion Alice Fraser Keys (Organ, Synth, Piano) Huggybear Leonard Blues Harp, Ocarina and Penny Whistle

Produced by Adam Popowitz at Rear Window Song and Sound

Words and Music by Norine Braun Mixed and Mastered at Rear Window Song and Sound

The Vancouver Sun's Stuart Derdeyn named December Falls as 1 of 5 new seasonal releases worth putting under your tree last Christmas. J. Ireson says it best that ” blues-rock singer-songwriter Norine Braun has cooked up a Christmas album during her time in quarantine that offers up several swingin' new holiday-tinged tracks and peppers in her rowdy take on some old chestnuts. The veteran songstress' new tracks frame the season in a new way, shirking the traditional style much in the way rock n roll originally came in and rebranded the idea of Christmas by the likes of Brenda Lee and Elvis Presley. December Falls encapsulates the whole period of transition that comes with the new year, not just the day itself. God knows we're all ready for a transition!"

Emotional, heartfelt and eclectic: Norine Braun in 3 words. A Vancouver based singer-songwriter Braun is an award winning artist (Western Canadian Music Award Nominee, Banff Centre Musician in Residence, Canada Council For the Arts Awards, First People Cultural Council Award, Los Angeles Music Awards, Artists For Literacy) Described as "delicious alt-rock with bluesy country hues.” Norine Braun released her 12th full- length album December Falls/ Christmas 2020.

Climb aboard, sit back and close your eyes, let the rhythm of this roots rock train soothe and inspire your dry bones.

Through Train Windows was inspired by Norine Braun’s cross Canada Riding the Rails tour as Artist On Board with partner Alice Fraser last year. Travelling over 6000 kilometres from Vancouver to Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal and Halifax, Norine absorbed the ever changing vast and beautiful panoramas from the Rocky Mountains to endless prairies, boreal forests and Atlantic ocean. With no wifi and time to reflect on nature and the paradoxes of life, Norine met and communed with the diversity of fellow sojourners from all over Canada and around the world. Following the tour, as a Musician in Residence at Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity, Norine wrote most of these compelling songs in her studio facing Sleeping Buffalo Mountain. So climb aboard, sit back and close your eyes let the rhythm of the train soothe and inspire while conjuring up feelings of nostalgia and dreams amid inner and outer landscapes.

Producer: Adam Popowitz Mixing and Mastering: Rear Window Song and Sound Studios Norine Braun: Vocals/Acoustic Guitar/Rhythm Guitar Adam Popowitz: Lead Guitar/Bass: Elliot Polsky: Drums/Percussion: Alice Fraser: Keys and Harmony Vocals on Rue St. Jean and I’m Going Home Huggybear Leonard: Blues Harp Steve Hilliam: Tenor Sax

All songs Words and Music by Norine Braun except I’m Going Home and Rue St. Jean Words and Music: Alice Fraser and Norine Braun . Crosses and Sweetgrass Words: Norine Braun and Music: Russell Wallace and Norine Braun

Accolades: 2018 Western Canadian Music Award Nominee

2017 The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity Musician in Residence

2017 Finalist Canadian Songwriting Competition for song Coyote

2015 Canada Council For the Arts Professional Musicians Grant for Songwriting

2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Venue performer

2010 Kansai International Music Conference Showcase Performer Osaka Japan and Tokyo Showcase

Winner Los Angeles Independent International Music 16th Annual Awards Female Singer- Songwriter of The Year Jazz Category for song Crystallize

Winner Artists For Literacy Songs Inspired By Literature International Songwriting Competition for song Conformity 451

Her signature funky folk blues sound simply cannot be matched, best listened to as loud as your neighbours will tolerate.

Norine Braun releases “Kind of Blues” which is a collection of blues influenced scintillating songs from her previous recordings. Braun is a Vancouver singer-songwriter renowned for writing wide ranging compositions in various genres from blues, roots, ambience, rock to jazz music in her impressive catalogue of 10 albums. PAST REVIEWS “A bluesy artist with a siren’s voice. To say I could listen to Braun sing all day would be an understatement “ - Robert Ottone Just Press Play Review

"Best listened to as loud as your neighbours will tolerate” Abort Magazine

"It’s her best album, incorporating rock, blues, latin, ambience and aboriginal song lore.” (Gone To The Spirits) Tom Harrison - The Vancouver Sun

"An imaginative display of fine musicianship, potent vocals and heartfelt lyrics, talent like hers doesn't exactly come around too often." - Kevin Sellers Music Emission

• 2017 Musician In Residence Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity • 2017 Artist On Board Via Rail Vancouver To Toronto and Montreal to Halifax • 2015 Canada Council For the Arts Award 
 • 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Venue performer 
 • 2010 Kansai International Music Conference 
Showcase Performer Osaka Japan and 
Tokyo Showcase 
 • Winner Los Angeles Independent International 
Music 16th Annual Awards Female Singer- Songwriter of The Year Jazz Category for song Crystallize 
 • Winner Artists For Literacy Songs Inspired By Literature International Songwriting Competition for Conformity 451

A gentle, soothing departure into dreamland with jazz influenced songs providing the perfect mix of solace and brilliance. INCLUDES CRYSTALLIZE WINNER LA MUSIC AWARDS Norine Braun releases a new digital album “Kind of Jazz” which is a collection of jazz influenced scintillating songs from her previous recordings. Norine Braun is a singer-songwriter renowned for writing wide ranging compositions in various genres from blues, roots, rock to jazz music in her impressive catalogue of 9 albums. Norine Braun’s new “Kind of Jazz”, focuses on 11 songs in soft jazz and mellow stylings from her past 9 releases providing the perfect mix of solace and brilliance all in one collection. Norine’s serene voice and her lush velvety presence is what make these standout performances. The tracks have been highly recognized, including the song Crystallize, which won the Jazz Female singer/songwriter of the year award at the Los Angeles Music Awards. “Kind of Jazz “will be available on iTunes, Amazon and most digital shops online in time for Mother’s day.

“An eclectic creator, Norine Braun expresses universal themes and paints refreshing and meaningful musical landscapes. Braun is a relentless live performer and composer with a nine-album discography, who is full of nourishing aural surprises and a 10th masterpiece on the horizon. Norine is a recent recipient of the esteemed Canada Council For the Arts Award in 2014. She has appeared at numerous clubs and international festivals. Always true to herself and to those that embrace her work, Braun rides the crest of the wave of non-commercial stylists, delivering grit and sensitivity in one deep breath.” - Don Coleman (A/R Group International)

REVIEWS FROM PREVIOUS ALBUMS “Straight out of Vancouver comes Norine Braun, a bluesy artist with a siren’s voice. To say I could listen to Braun sing all day would be an understatement. There’s a kind of raw power to her soulful voice. She even nails melodic bits throughout the album that recall artists like KD Lang and Stevie Nicks, perhaps with a strong dash of Melissa Etheridge. I really took to this album straight away. Great stuff. “ – Robert Ottone JustPressPlay Review

"Best listened to as loud as your neighbours will tolerate, Conventus is an incredibly strong offering from front to back. Strong and passionate, you are able to feel the artists soul, and that of the musicians playing with her. It’s like Norine is able channel both KD Lang and Joni Mitchell concurrently, which in itself should say something. The power and soulfulness she offers up just has to be experienced." Scott Alexander ABORT MAGAZINE

“Conventus the Eye of the Heart” fuses elements of jazz, funk, pop, rock and reggae into a bewitching blues album. Norine Braun’s vocal styling combines those of artists like Bonnie Raitt, Ani DiFranco and Koko Taylor into one remarkable voice." Laurie Fanelli VeggieFans

"Her music sounds like the union of Nick Cave with Patti Smith & City and Colour deep in the Canadian forests." - Joshua Smotherman MTM

"An imaginative display of fine musicianship, potent vocals and heartfelt lyrics, talent like hers doesn't exactly come around too often." - Kevin Sellers Music Emission

"On this well-recorded album she’s got variety, solid tunes and a band that’s so good they breathe together. Why are you still reading this? Go download Conventus The Eye of the Heart." - Jamie Anderson Indie-Music.com

Review By Ethan Skeleton This Canadian artist is part singer/songwriter part rock star. She’s a veteran performer and recording artist who’s attracted audiences to her intimate and at times flamboyant sound. Did I mention she’s critically acclaimed? Meet Norine Braun. This woman has poured ten tons of life experience into Conventus The Eye Of The Heart, her ninth studio album, and come out the other side smiling. Emerging from a personal health battle and marrying her partner of twenty-five years, she developed the record almost as a form of music therapy, nursing herself back to health one song at a time. Her catchy roots-rock references classic greats like Patti Smith and Joni Mitchell with just a touch of Janis Joplin gone soft on country and hard on the blues. Her distinctive vocal vaults from creamy lows to searing falsetto against the backdrop of her tried-and-true session band.

"Lightning Strikes Twice" celebrates a second chance at romance over a chugging, head-nodding guitar riff; "Boy" explores the complexity of maternal love in the context of adoption; "Take The Sleek Train" is a trippy, Doors-esque ode to the healing powers of Mother Nature. For all its focus on emotional themes, the standout track has to be the barbed blues-rock number called “99%.” It sets it sights on the very contemporary political toss up of financial inequality. Over an irresistible barroom piano loop and a funky break beat, Braun asks ‘Do we pay for groceries or do we pay the rent? Scrounging in the garbage we’re the 99%’. It’s fresh, it’s relevant and it comes with a sting in its tail.

“Fire Flames” plays with a gentle Afro Cuban feel jazz on the ride and toms and to me that is a statement of musical integrity in that band of hers. Don’t just play a song how you think it goes. Find out what where the song is from and look deeper into the styles books. The guitar follows an atypical modal scale that fits Braun’s already unique vocal choices. It’s music that would accompany an acid trip as well as a late night grill out.

Where else are you going to find that kind of eclecticism? While at other times the record does have the tendency to drift into romanticism, it’s always charming and always authentic. You can hear that Braun loves what she does, and passion of this sort is infectious. Most importantly, in an age of over-produced and pre-packaged pop stars, Braun is defiantly different. The music industry has a way of creating sheep and the ones who veer away from norms and hot minute success deserve their due.