Belle Plaine is the stage name of Melanie Hankewich, a singer/songwriter who was raised on her great-grandparents’ homestead on Treaty 4 Territory near the hamlet of Fosston, Saskatchewan. Upon leaving her quiet small town she studied Jazz and Contemporary Music at Grant MacEwan and majored in Recording. Fueled by wanderlust she moved to Calgary, then Victoria and Australia before returning to Saskatchewan to reconnect with her roots. She ultimately stayed, feeling a sense of belonging with the arts scene in the province. After working as the Head of Lights at The Globe Theatre she was inspired by the commitment and growth of the actors she knew on stage and left her job as a technician in 2010 to pursue her own career in the arts.

Since then she has travelled widely through Canada and the US. Her ability to integrate into an array of cultural climates has graced her with strong ties in the communities she found in Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, California, New York, West Virginia and beyond. She’s respected for her artistry and grit, but also her deep sense of fellowship with other creatives.

The prairie songstress’s 2018 release, Malice, Mercy, Grief & Wrath was favorably reviewed by Rolling Stone, Exclaim! and No Depression. As a completely independent release, it spent an impressive 27 weeks on the !earshot charts, reaching #2 on the national Folk/Roots/Blues charts and #10 on the national Top 50. It was awarded Album of the Year at the 2018 Saskatchewan Music Awards and its artwork was nominated for a 2020 JUNO Award. In 2019 Belle was nominated for Roots Solo Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards. The video for her release of “Laila Sady Johnson Wasn’t Beaten By No Train” (inspired by the true story of her grandmother) was an official selection at the 2019 Ottawa International Animation Festival – the largest festival of its kind in North America.

Her chameleon abilities have allowed for an array of collaborations. She’s contributed back-up vocals on a variety of songwriters’ albums including Colter Wall, Leeroy Stagger, Jeffrey Straker and Def3. She’s performed her work multiple times with the Regina Symphony Orchestra, and in February 2020 presented a feature concert in the RSO’s Pops Series at the Conexus Centre for the Arts. Her co-writing and harmony-singing chops are featured on Blake Berglund’s 2017 album, Realms as well as his 2023 release What’s Left of the Right. Throughout all of her projects, Belle works in close collaboration with artists in other fields, including illustrators, animators, videographers, puppeteers and fashion designers.

Belle Plaine has built a loyal following that continues to flourish. She’s been rewarded with festival spots such as at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion in Tennessee, Kickin’ It On The Creek in Kentucky, Small Halls on Prince Edward Island, Wide Cut Weekend in Alberta, Regina Folk Festival in Saskatchewan and appearances at industry events like the JUNOfest, Folk Alliance International and AmericanaFest. Evidenced by the long-standing support of industry stalwarts like CKUA Alberta to nods from KEXP’s Greg Vandy, Belle is proving her entrepreneurial spirit with multiple releases and cross-country tours under her belt – making it clear that she’s a career musician who relishes sharing her voice and her songs, with the world.