Pegged as Canada's breakout alt-diva, Begonia launched into the Canadian music scene on the strength of her critically acclaimed 2017 EP Lady In Mind. The indie pop singer has received media praise and numerous awards, and had two #1 songs on Canada's CBC national radio chart. As Begonia, Alexa Dirks has blossomed into a glittery supernova who feels like music's best-kept secret to her fans.
Begonia went on to release her audacious debut full-length album Fear in September 2019. Fear is a deeply personal album bursting with ruminations on solitude, self-doubt, anxiety, and panic, all bundled up in the serene feeling that comes with an artist fully embracing their past and present self. She wrote and co-produced the record with a close-knit team of collaborators: Matt Schellenberg and Matt Peters of Royal Canoe, along with Marcus Paquin, who has previously worked with The National and Arcade Fire.
Fear was nominated for Adult Alternative album of the Year at the JUNOs, included on the 2020 Polaris Music Prize Long List, in addition to making numerous end of the year recommendation lists. Her singles "Beats" and "Hanging on A Line" were named as CBC Music National Radio Fan Favourites of 2019, and her album Fear spent 10 straight weeks as the #1 album on !earshot's National Top 50 chart. Songs from the album can be heard in numerous productions on Netflix & Oprah Winfrey Network, and NPR named Begonia one of 10 Artists You Need to Know.
Begonia has been touring major festivals and playing to sold-out audiences at small clubs across North America. Begonia was finally set to make her European touring debut in May 2020. Due to COVID-19, the remaining dates on Begonia - The Fear Tour were cancelled upon arrival in New York where Begonia was set to play The New Colossus Festival. Just two weeks earlier, a camera crew recorded the five consecutive sold-out shows in her hometown of Winnipeg, Canada. The February 2020 performances captured the imagination of a whole city, and The Fear Tour (Live) was streamed on New Year's Eve 2021 as a concert film, and released in January 2021 as a live album.
