Hardscrabble Hope
New album released Nov 6, 2025
On all digital platforms for download or streaming, incl:
Bandcamp - Maria Dunn
Apple Music - Maria Dunn (also in iTunes Store)
PHYSICAL CDs available:
(1) online through PayPal (orange button below). CDs ship regular mail, Canada Post.
(2) cheque or etransfer. For more info, email: distantwhispermusic[at]hotmail[dot]com
CDs will ship regular mail, Canada Post
(3) In Edmonton, at Blackbyrd Myoozik https://www.blackbyrd.ca and elsewhere in Canada by special order through your local independent record store.
(4) At all Maria Dunn performances - see In Concert page.
Still a subtle, serious, sensitive songwriter then, that Maria Dunn, and one who continues to challenge preconceptions of that thing called folk music. A national treasure at the very least.
Roddy Campbell, Music Journalist (November 2025)
Maria is a writer with a critical eye, a keen ear and a nose for sniffing out issues that need to be examined and publicized through the medium of song. For those of you who are not yet familiar with Maria’s recorded output and live performances, I invite you to familiarize yourselves with her amazing body of work.
Tim Readman, Roots Music Canada (November, 2025)
Good News for Hardscrabble Hope!
#4 (tie w Angelique Francis) in the Top 10 for Penguin Eggs Roots Music Canada Critics' Poll for 2025
Radio interviews:
Tom Coxworth, Folk Routes, CKUA (Alberta)
Jessica Ng, CBC Radioactive (Edmonton)
Jim Marino, Freewheelin' Folk, CFMU (Hamilton) - 1hr into the show
Rhea March, It Takes a Village, CJSR (Edmonton)
Radio Airplay:
#3 on !earshot The National Folk/Roots/Blues Chart
For the Week Ending: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
#3 on CKUA Top 30 for the week of Jan 2 - 8, 2026
#1 on CJSR Top 30 for week ending November 25, 2025
In Top 30 albums on FAI FOLK CHART for Folk Radio Chart Dec 2025 & Jan 2026
**
Hardscrabble Hope – an infectious, eclectic cache of pensive lyrics that touch on another myriad mix of engaging and light-hearted issues ranging from the plight of people experiencing homelessness to a celebration of the accordion. Much positivity and passionate enthusiasm shine throughout. Shannon Johnson’s steady hand brings all kinds of fresh ideas to the table as hints of blues, jazz, calypso, country, and an a cappella ballad mingle easily with Celtic whistles and fiddle melodies. Still a subtle, serious, sensitive songwriter then, that Maria Dunn, and one who continues to challenge preconceptions of that thing called folk music. A national treasure at the very least.
- Roddy Campbell, Music Journalist (November 2025)
**
Album credits:
Produced by Shannon Johnson (of Juno Award winning band The McDades), producer of Maria’s previous albums. Songs arranged by Maria Dunn with Shannon Johnson, Solon McDade, Jeremiah McDade where noted.
Musicians: Maria Dunn (vocal, accordion, guitar), Shannon Johnson (violin, harmony), Solon McDade (upright bass), Jeremiah McDade (whistles, saxophone, guitar, harmony, horn arrangements) with special guests: Dawn Cross (harmony vocals), Dana Wylie (harmony vocals), Jeff Bradshaw (steel guitar), Joel Gray (trumpet), Peter Filice (trombone) and Daniel Stadnicki (percussion).
Engineered and mixed by Terry Tran at The Audio Department (Edmonton), mastered by João Carvalho, Carvalho Mastering (Toronto). Jeff Sylvester (Edmonton) designed the artwork.
**
Album Reviews
Tim Readman, Roots Music Canada
Donald Teplyske, Fervor Coulee - Roots Music Opinion
https://fervorcoulee.wordpress.com/2026/01/01/maria-dunn-hardscrabble-hope-review/
