Conor Gains
Conor Gains is a Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer known for blending soul, funk, blues, and modern indie grooves into a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. Based in Ontario, Gains is part of a new generation of artists who are deeply rooted in musical traditions but aren’t afraid to bend genres and experiment with sound.
Origin: Originally from Cambridge, Ontario, Conor started playing guitar at a young age and quickly developed a reputation as a prodigious talent.
Early Career: He gained attention in the blues scene as a teenager, performing at festivals and clubs across Canada and opening for major acts.
Breakout Moment: He won the 2016 Cobalt Prize from the Maple Blues Awards — a prestigious recognition for innovation in blues songwriting — for his song “Leave It On the Line.”
Sound: His music draws inspiration from classic soul (think Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers), funk rhythms, and bluesy guitar tones, while lyrically exploring personal growth, social consciousness, and emotional depth.
Albums:
Compass (2016) — a blues-influenced debut
Three (2021) — a modern soul-funk record that leans into groove-heavy instrumentation, layered harmonies, and socially aware songwriting
Gains has played at events like the Montreal Jazz Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, and TD Kitchener Blues Festival, and he's shared the stage with artists like The Sheepdogs and Booker T. Jones.
If you're into artists like Leon Bridges, Gary Clark Jr., Allen Stone, or Anderson .Paak, Conor Gains offers a compelling Canadian take on genre-bending soul and funk — with guitar chops to match.
