Brendan McLeod is the author of a novel, a poetry collection, six theatre shows, and is the founder of the Juno-nominated folk group The Fugitives.

Bio

Brendan McLeod is a writer, theatre creator, and musician. He’s the author of a poetry collection, Friends Without Bodies, a novel, The Convictions of Leonard McKinley, and five theatre shows, including Ridge, his award-winning musical on the Battle of Vimy, and Brain, his comedic monologue on consciousness. His music group The Fugitives has been nominated for a JUNO, as well as multiple Canadian Folk Music and Western Canada Music Awards, including Best Roots Group, Best Songwriter, and Best Vocal Group. He was the Poet of Honour at the 2012 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and the 2015 Victoria Spoken Word Festival. He’s taught spoken word at Langara College, and is an active arts educator, currently touring his shows “Holy Guacamole, It’s a Poetry Show!” and “All Star SLAM’ to primary schools.

Select Awards

  • Best Traditional Roots Album (The Fugitives), The JUNOS, 2022 (nominee).

  • Ensemble of the Year & Best Vocal Group (The Fugitives), Canadian Folk Music Awards, 2022 (nominee).

  • Best Vocal Group, Canadian Folk Music Awards, 2018 (nominee).

  • Best Songwriter, Western Canada Music Awards, 2018 (nominee).

  • K.M. Hunter Arts Award finalist, 2017.

  • K.M. Hunter Arts Award finalist, 2016.

  • Pick of the Fringe winner, Critic’s Choice Award (nominee), Vancouver Fringe Festival, 2015.

  • Best Male Performer, Victoria Fringe Festival, 2015.

  • Poet of Honour, Victoria Festival of Spoken Word, 2015.

  • Best Vocal Group, Canadian Folk Music Awards, 2014 (nominee).

  • Best Roots album (duo or group), Western Canadian Music Award, 2014 (nominee).

  • Poet of Honour, Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, 2012.

  • Canada Writes (Shortlist), Creative Non-fiction, 2012.

  • Re: Lit Award for The Convictions of Leonard McKinley, 2008 (nominee).

  • Canadian Folk Music Award, Pushing the Boundaries, 2007 (nominee).

  • Winner of the International 3 Day Novel Contest for The Convictions of Leonard McKinley, 2006.

  • World SLAM Poetry Championships (runner-up), 2005.

  • Vancouver Individual SLAM poetry champion, 2005.

  • Individual SLAM poetry champion, Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, 2004.