THE FULL STORY.
Music has been a part of Mandi Leigh's life for as long as she can remember.
Her journey began in elementary school, where she was always involved in choirs and school music programs. By high school, her passion and dedication earned her a spot in the school's competitive jazz choir in Grade 10 — an opportunity previously only reserved for older students. Her last 2 years of high school she was part of a pilot program as one of 5 singers in a fully credited, 14-piece rhythm & blues band, where she gained invaluable experience performing with a large ensemble and developed a deeper appreciation for live music.
Life eventually led her away from music for a time, but the pull of the stage never disappeared. A small 11 month run with a local northern soul tribute band Mr. M & the Allnighters and a 5 month gig with a trio Soul Connection, her career in the film industry took over her time.
In 2018, Mandi found her way back through "Hunkerdown," a local film-industry Battle of the Bands competition. Her band placed second in its first year and returned the following year to take first place. The experience reignited her passion for singing and performing, inspiring her to form the original alt-rock band When & Where. Over the next four years, the band released original music, performed throughout British Columbia, and helped Mandi grow as both an artist and songwriter.
Eventually, she felt called to tell her own stories. At the end of 2020, after losses of friends & family, she finally picked up her guitar and music starting pouring out of her, creating her debut EP Emotional Highs. She toured all through BC in the Spring/Summer of 2024 and has continued to perform regularly around the lower mainland ever since.
Mandi blends folk, country, and rock influences into a sound that is uniquely her own. Through powerful vocals, honest lyrics, and heartfelt storytelling, she creates music that explores love, loss, resilience, self-discovery, and the experiences that shape who we are.
In 2026, Mandi embarked on her Far From Home Tour, a cross-Canada journey that doubled as her relocation from British Columbia to Toronto. The tour introduced her music to audiences across the country while marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Now based in Toronto, Mandi is preparing to record her second full-length album in Summer 2026. As she continues to grow as a songwriter and performer, her mission remains the same: to create authentic (and non-AI generated) music that connects people, sparks emotion, and reminds us that we're never truly alone in our experiences.
Whether she's performing in an intimate listening room, a bustling brewery, or on a festival stage, Mandi Leigh brings heart, authenticity, and a genuine love of connecting through music.
