Catriona Sturton

Catriona Sturton (born June 8, 1976) is an Ottawa, Ontario–based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She has had a prolific career, performing in bands such as Plumtree and collaborating with artists like Joel Plaskett, Al Tuck, the late Dutchy Mason, the Mighty Popo and members of Sloan and Blue Rodeo.

History Sturton got her start at an early age when her parents put her into classical violin lessons for eight years. In her teens, while shopping for some fiddle music, she saw a harmonica and bought it. This led to a passion for the Blues, and she quickly acquired proficiency with the instrument. Her adolescence was spent under the tutelage of local Ottawa harp legend Larry "The Bird" Mootham and performing in and around Ottawa at various blues bars such as The Whipping Post, The Rainbow, and Tucson's.

As a young adult Sturton left Ottawa to study History at Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. While there she learned to play the bass guitar and joined the indie all-female band Plumtree. With the band she released and recorded two albums, won a YTV Achievement Award and toured extensively around Canada with others, like Thrush Hermit and the Weakerthans. Plumtree also inspired the comic series entitled Scott Pilgrim, named after their hit song. She claims that she used the experience to cut her teeth on the rigours of songwriting, traveling, marketing and other aspects of being a touring musician.

In 2000, Sturton moved to Japan to teach English. In addition to performing, Sturton frequently gives harmonica workshops and has also created instructional videos aimed at audiences curious about playing harmonica.

Selected discography 2024: Night Bell - JMI Recordings 2006: Catriona Sturton and The Screaming Elks – Catriona Sturton and The Screaming Elks Demo (vocals, guitar, harmonica, songwriting) – Modern Soul Records 2006: Digger – (vocals, guitar, harmonica) Ladyfest Ottawa 2006 Compilation 2003: The Secret – Himitsu EP – (vocals, guitar) Himitsu records 002 – Japan 2001: Chikusen and Soken Danjo – Nembutsu – (chorus vocals on CD of healing music for hospice patients) Aikoto 05 Japan 2001: Al Tuck – (bass, harmonica) The New High Road of Song – Brobdingnagian Records 2000: Plumtree – (bass, harmonica, backup vocals, songwriting) This Day Won't Last at All – Endearing Records 1999: I Love You When You're Walking Away (with Plumtree) – Moshi Moshi: Pop International Style (Compilation) – March Records 1998: Plumtree – Predicts the Future (bass, backup vocals) – Cinnamon Toast Records 1996: Scott Pilgrim (with Plumtree/The Inbreds) – North Window Split 7" – PF Records