Musical Journey

Joshua Smith – Biography

Hailing from the small coastal community of West Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia, Joshua Smith comes from a long line of songwriters and musicians. His music feels lived-in and genuine—songs that don’t ask much of the listener except to feel something. Blending folk, soul, and roots influences, Smith writes with a rare honesty, weaving together heartbreak, humour, and the quiet poetry of everyday life. In his songs, Joshua invites listeners into his world—into the way he sees and processes life on this wild planet.

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With more than thirty years in the music industry, Smith has carried his stories far beyond the East Coast of Canada. He has toured across the country multiple times and brought his music to audiences in Ireland, Portugal, Belize, and throughout the United States. Along the way he has performed on stages such as the Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, Peace Valley Folk Festival, Napatak Ramble Festival, Calgary Stampede, BreakOut West, Rock Creek Fall Fair, Vancouver Folk Festival, Mission Folk Festival, and many more.

Joshua has also shared the stage with some of Canada’s most beloved artists,  opening for Jon & Roy (2024), Bahamas (2023), The Paper Kites (2023), Dan Mangan (2023). Joel Plaskett  (2025) and the legendary Gipsy Kings (2025).

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Joshua’s musical story began early. At just nine years old, he wrote his first song in West Chezzetcook. Before long he was performing at community halls, county fairs, kitchen parties, and busking on the streets of Halifax. By age twelve he had released his first EP and quickly gained recognition in the city, appearing on CTV’s Breakfast Television and CBC Radio while building a reputation as a young songwriter to watch. As he grew as a performer in Halifax, Smith played many of the city’s iconic venues including The Carleton, The Split Crow, and The Old Triangle.

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At eighteen, Joshua travelled to Nashville, Tennessee to deepen his craft and learn the realities of the songwriting world. There he spent nearly five years writing and studying with respected musicians and mentors including Phil Keaggy and Dan Brenerman, while learning performance techniques from renowned performance coach Tom Jackson.

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In 2006, Smith returned to Canada determined to pursue music full-time. He headed west to Alberta where he returned to his roots as a street performer, busking in the mountain town of Banff. The streets quickly led to stages, and Joshua soon found himself performing at venues such as Wild Bill’s, The Rose & Crown, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, even opening for Canadian country star Paul Brandt.

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In 2009 he relocated to Kelowna, British Columbia. Once again he started on the sidewalks, busking his way into the local music scene. “What better way to immerse yourself in a town’s culture than street performing,” Smith told CBC in an interview at the time.

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Carrying a love for bluegrass he picked up in the American South, Joshua co-founded the alt-bluegrass band The Trips in 2013. The group quickly gained recognition, performing at events such as the Armstrong Fair and Kelowna Community Theatre, touring across British Columbia, performing for the Prime Minister of Canada, and releasing their full-length record in 2016 before disbanding in 2017.

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Around this time Joshua met his singing, songwriting, and life partner Bex. The pair began writing, recording, and touring together as an acoustic dream-folk duo. Known as Josh + Bex, they quickly became one of the Okanagan’s most sought-after acts, winning Kelowna’s Best of Kelowna award three years in a row. A decade later, the duo continues to write, tour, and grow together both on and off the stage.

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In 2019 Smith launched another musical chapter with the alt-folk quartet Kentucky Eileen, featuring Mitch Howanyk on fiddle, Sam Balson on mandolin, and Dan Tait on bass. Joshua wrote the band’s first ten songs for their debut record I’ll Be Aright, which quickly caught the attention of labels and industry professionals. From 2019 through 2024 the band toured extensively while continuing to write new music.

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Today, Joshua Smith continues to travel and perform as a solo artist, sharing stories gathered from decades on the road and a lifetime of listening. His songs feel like conversations—honest, warm, and quietly powerful.

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In April 2026, Joshua will release his newest EP, “Walk On Through.”