Leslie Feist has been inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame, and the ceremony turned into a love letter to one of the country’s most influential songwriters. The event took place at Massey Hall in Toronto, where Feist was honoured alongside the ’80s rock band the Tragically Hip, Loverboy’s Mike Reno and Paul Dean, and pop singer-songwriter Roch Voisine.
Finneas, the Grammy-winning producer and musician, inducted Feist. He spoke about meeting her as a fan in 2018 at the airport, calling her “so many of your favourite artists’ favourite artist.” His speech was full of praise, touching on her voice, her writing, and her guitar playing.
Finneas’s Speech
Finneas opened his remarks by making a simple case for why Feist matters. “Leslie is so many of your favourite artists’ favourite artist,” he said. “I know, I’ve talked to all of them about her.”
He then turned to the specifics of her craft. “She has the most beautiful voice I can imagine a person having and writes lyrics and melodies that have moved me to tears and made my wife and I dance in our kitchen for years,” he said. He closed with a nod to her instrumental skill: “She also kicks ass at the guitar.”
The speech carried warmth throughout.
The Tribute Set
The ceremony also included a musical tribute to Feist, featuring performances from three other artists. The set opened with Charlotte Cornfield singing “How Come You Never Go There.”
Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy followed with “The Park.” Finneas closed the segment with a rendition of “My Moon My Man,” which was released this past Friday as an Amazon Music Original.
The Covers In Order
Here is how the tribute unfolded, in the order it was performed:
- Charlotte Cornfield opened with “How Come You Never Go There.”
- Jeff Tweedy performed “The Park.”
- Finneas closed with “My Moon My Man.”
The Collaborations
The evening also highlighted Feist’s collaborative history. She has performed with Tweedy before, notably on “You And I” from Wilco’s seventh studio release Wilco (The Album).
She also sang with Cornfield on the single “Living With It,” off the recent album Hurts Like Hell.
What This Means For Feist
Induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame is a significant honour. It recognises a songwriter’s contribution to Canadian music, placing them among the country’s most celebrated creators.
Feist’s induction comes after years of critical acclaim and commercial success. Her solo work has earned comparisons to some of the most respected voices in popular music.
The tribute at Massey Hall reinforced that reputation. The performances were a reminder of why Feist matters, and the speeches were a reminder of how she is regarded.
“Leslie is so many of your favourite artists’ favourite artist.”
That line from Finneas captures the sentiment of the evening. Feist’s peers have long spoken about her influence, and the ceremony gave them a platform to do so publicly.
The Night’s Legacy
The ceremony was a celebration of Canadian songwriting, and Feist was at its centre. The tribute showed how her songs have travelled through the hands of other artists.
The evening was a reminder of Feist’s place in Canadian music. Her work has touched countless listeners, and her peers continue to hold her in high regard.
The induction and the tribute together marked a significant moment in her career. Feist has been recognised for her body of work, and the ceremony gave her colleagues a chance to say why she matters.
For anyone who follows Canadian music, the night was a reminder of the depth of talent the country has produced. Feist’s induction is a statement about her legacy, and the tribute was a chance to hear that legacy lived out by her peers.
See the video the story is built around at Stereogum.
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