If you want proof that Craig Stickland’s music affects people, just look at my friend Kaleigh. The first time we went to see Stickland together, she connected so deeply with one of his songs – “Wasting Time” – that she almost cried right there in The Horseshoe Tavern. Since that night, she’s been following Stickland’s music (and his Toronto shows) with serious dedication.

“He’s perfect in my eyes,” Kaleigh said, a goofy smile on her face, at his Drake Underground show on Jan. 10. She sang along to every song from his EP, Art of Conviction, getting particularly into it for his catchy tune “Sunlight.”

I interviewed Stickland for OTM’s sixth issue and have since then loved to watch his music progress; his live show is better every time I see him. He has the fantastic ability to engage a crowd, to bring them out of their hiding places in the back of the bar and embrace them so they feel like they belong. His songs are a well crafted mix of feel-good and heartbreak, his voice is smooth and deep, and his face is, let’s be honest, not too hard on the eyes.

It was a great farewell gig for Stickland, who left the next morning to record his debut full-length album on the west coast. We at OTM are thrilled to have featured him in the magazine and can’t wait to hear the great music he’s sure to come back with. Good luck, Craig!