Exceptionally talented Folk/Roots artist Mia Kelly has just released her debut album, “Garden Through The War”, on August 26 2022.
A rising new talent in the Canadian Folk music scene, singer-songwriter Mia Kelly is swiftly gaining recognition as a poetic lyricist with a powerful and versatile voice. A born performer who radiates confidence on stage, Mia enthralls listeners with a charming blend of Folk, Rock, and Blues in her distinctive sound. With her knack for adopting the stories of the people she has connected with in her life, Mia is an imaginative storyteller who channels her raw and vulnerable emotions through her expertly crafted songs. Combining both French and English in her music, Mia has mastered the art of conveying meaning through sound.
With the release of just one EP and three singles, Mia’s music has amassed over 200,000 streams on Spotify alone and has been featured in national media outlets such as Châtelaine, CTV Morning Live, and CBC Ottawa Morning. Mia’s expert songwriting has won over audiences across the country and has earned the young artist recognition from the SOCAN Foundation and numerous international music competitions. Praised by the Ottawa Citizen as one of the top ten local artists to watch, Mia is a highly anticipated performer at national music festivals, gracing the stages of the Summerfolk Festival, Blue Skies Festival, and most recently, RBC Ottawa’s Bluesfest. In October, Mia will join internationally acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter Daniel Champagne on his Canadian tour.
Following the success of her first EP “Cardboard Box” in 2019, Mia continued to write music with the hope of eventually constructing her first full-length album. Aiming to liberate her creativity, the exceptionally gifted songwriter avoided setting a concept for the project, relying instead on her authentic emotions to guide the writing process. After noticing common themes of resilience and growth in her collection of songs, Mia decided to reach out to producer Jim Bryson (Kathleen Edwards, The Tragically Hip) to record the album. Teaming up with phenomenal musicians such as Grammy-nominated Phillip Shaw Bova (Lido Pimienta, Bahamas), drummer Olivier Fairfield (Leif Vollebekk, Andy Shauf), and Phillippe Charbonnneau (Esmerine, E-Tron Records). Mia recorded her first ever album in just eight days.
Filled with true stories of grit and survival amidst adversity, Mia Kelly’s “Garden Through The War” is an inspiring anthology of songs honouring human resilience. Infusing musical hints of Alternative Folk, Rock, and Blues into her unique sound, the talented songwriter weaves in the personal experiences of the people she’s met to create a cohesive yet sonically diverse record. The first single off of the project, “Kitchissippi”, is an intimate and stripped-down lullaby encapsulating the singer’s meaningful relationship with the Ottawa River, using its original name in Anishinaabemowin, the language of the Algonquin-Anishinaabeg, the host nation of the region. Born from the comfort and relief Mia experienced when surfing in the river during the pandemic, “Kitchissippi” is a delicate ballad that incorporates a recording of the river itself trickling by to convey an ambience of comfort and serenity.
The title track of the album, “Garden Through The War” is a thought-provoking Alternative Folk song written from the perspective of Mia’s close friend. Drawing an analogy between her friend’s dysfunctional relationship with her father and a devastating war, “Garden Through The War” renounces the notion of toughening and numbing in response to stressful situations. Framing the notion of survival through hard times as a triumph, Mia challenges the traditional Chinese proverb “It’s better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war”. Composed in the uncommon key signature of open C sharp, Mia’s commanding and expressive vocals soar over the grungy notes of an electric acoustic guitar.
The album closes with “Vagabond”, a hopeful anthem inspired by the stories of a kind stranger Mia encountered on her adventures through British Columbia. Emboldened by the stranger’s positive outlook on life in spite of his difficult upbringing, Mia showcases her imaginative storytelling skills by unravelling his courageous life in the biographical tune. With a cheerful melody as upbeat and hopeful as the person it was written for, “Vagabond” is a stirring reminder to look forward to life’s beautiful moments.
A masterful fusion of diverse musical styles and intricate narratives, “Garden Through The War” is a testament to Mia Kelly’s growing confidence and comfort in her craft. Filled with profound yet universal stories that everyone can relate to, “Garden Through The War” beautifully captures and gives meaning to the wide range of human suffering. With its emotionally mature and refreshingly honest lyrics, the heartfelt album offers refuge and solace/hope to listeners who are struggling to cope with their personal circumstances. A promising glimpse into Mia’s future evolution as both a singer and a songwriter, “Garden Though The War” is a stunningly poetic reminder that there is resilience in survival, and that the challenges we face do not have to define us.
“Garden Through The War” is available everywhere now!
Connect with Mia Kelly:
Website: https://www.miakellymusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miakkelly/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miakkelly/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QvVwM4jqnOtzctJZr2Bch?si=8uBlk0AySlagOXdUghaY2A
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCohL8y53kXf3L-X846PGHYQ/playlists
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MiaKellyMusic?lang=en
