Ansley Simpson is a Michi Saagiig Nishnaabe musician, composer, sound artist and status member of Alderville First Nation living in Tkaronto and frequenting the Owen Sound area. Known for poetic lyrics, deeply moving performances, and immersive arrangements, Ansley weaves poetry and story-telling through song and sound holding audiences spellbound.

Their debut album Breakwall garnered two Indigenous Music Nominations and won Best New Artist. Ansley’s second album, She Fell from the Sky, re-imagines a story of Sky Woman being asked to fall once more to help us heal ourselves and this world. It was celebrated as “a high-concept, lush and gorgeous album that’s full of layered levels of storytelling.” (CBC Reclaimed).

In 2021, their collaborative work on Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s album “Theory of Ice'' landed a coveted place on the Polaris Prize shortlist.

Ansley is the current Creative Director of the First Voices permanent sound installation at Rouge National Urban Park and is finishing the large-scale sound composition involving 12 artists and groups from the surrounding Indigenous communities for installation in 2027.

They are currently working on a new solo album collaging lyrics, music and sound compositions gathered using traditional gathering practices resulting in a collection of songs exploring the unavoidable effects of climate change in our lives as Indigenous people. 

“The 11 tracks of She Fell From The Sky take us on this journey, as only Simpson can guide us. Through them, the emotional core of every second reverberates through the body, the unwavering strength of Simpson’s voice giving breath to Sky Woman’s story. Simpson sings like no other, their voice like the wind in the trees rising from your feet and her guitar follows like an extension of her body.” Niko Stratis