Ora Cogan is a Canadian indie folk singer-songwriter, based in Nanaimo, British Columbia.Tova Gaster, "Musician. Activist. This Is Ora Cogan". The Tyee, April 10, 2026. She is most noted for her 2026 album Hard Hearted Woman,Emma Madden, "Hard Hearted Woman". Pitchfork, March 16, 2026. which was a longlisted nominee for the 2026 Polaris Music Prize.Sydney Brasil, "Polaris Music Prize Shares 2026 Long List". Exclaim!, June 11, 2026.
Born and raised in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, she has also worked as an activist and photographer, including extensive photojournalism documenting the Fairy Creek old-growth logging protests of 2020 and 2021. She released a number of EPs and albums independently or on small record labels,Alan Ranta, "Vancouver's Ora Cogan hits her stride on soul-stirring Shadowland". The Georgia Straight, January 19, 2017. until signing with Sacred Bones Records for the release of Hard Hearted Woman.
She also appeared as a collaborator on Backxwash's 2025 album Only Dust Remains.Megan Lapierre, "Backxwash Details New Album 'Only Dust Remains,' Shares '9th Heaven'". Exclaim!, February 27, 2025.
Discography Sparrow - 2005 Tatter - 2007 Harbouring - 2008 The Quarry - 2010 The Boggy Mire - 2010 Ribbon Vine - 2013 Shadowland - 2016 Crickets - 2017 Bells in the Ruins - 2020 Formless - 2023 Hard Hearted Woman - 2026
References
External links
Ora Cogan Interview on The Tonearm Podcast, June 21, 2026