At just 19, singer-songwriter Mia Kelly has taken the Canadian music scene by storm with her compelling stage presence and powerful vocals. Hailing from Gatineau, QC the exceptionally talented Folk/Roots artist blends both English and French songs in her music. Her effortlessly expansive voice, which she has honed since the age of ten, has been praised by Ottawa Life Magazine as being a “living, palpable force of nature”. A born performer who shines on stage, Mia has captivated audiences at numerous music festivals across Canada, including the Summerfolk Festival and Blue Skies Festival, and performed at RBC Ottawa’s Bluesfest last month. Mia’s work has also been featured in national outlets, including Châtelaine, CTV Morning Live, and CBC Ottawa Morning. After the release of her first EP “Cardboard Box” in 2019, Mia was named one of Ottawa Citizen’s top ten local artists to watch. In advance of her album release, Mia will be releasing a music video for her latest single, “Kitchissippi”, a stripped-down song about finding comfort in the Ottawa River during difficult times. The music video is set for release on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
The music video for “Kitchissippi” provides a breathtaking visual experience that perfectly complements the delicate ballad. Filmed and directed with care by the singer’s father, Randy Kelly, in collaboration with Canadian Screen Award-nominated cinematographer Patrick Kaplin, the enchanting video stars Mia, singing alongside the Kitchissippi river with her acoustic guitar.
Collaborating with producer Jim Bryson (Kathleen Edwards, The Tragically Hip) and mastered by Grammy-nominated Phillip Shaw Bova (Lido Pimienta, Bahamas), Mia is set to release her debut album “Garden Through The War” on Friday, August 26, 2022. Featuring Olivier Fairfield (Leif Vollebekk, Andy Shauf) on drums in company with Mia herself on guitar and piano, “Garden Through The War” boldly delves into themes of resilience and growth amidst adversity.
About “Kitchissippi”:
Drawing from the songwriter’s personal experiences, Mia Kelly’s “Kitchissippi” is an intimate and delicate ballad dedicated to the Ottawa River, using its traditional name in Algonquin. Located just steps away from her home in Gatineau, QC, the river has played a central role in Mia’s life and upbringing as a source of comfort and relaxation over the years. From learning how to swim for the first time to picnicking by the water with close friends, the river is ingrained in Mia’s happiest memories. During the pandemic, Mia sought solace in the form of river surfing, a lesser known variation of surfing which became an outlet for her to dispel her frustrations and negative emotions. In the midst of her daily practice of surfing the Ottawa River, Mia was spontaneously inspired to compose a song in its name. Encapsulating her meaningful relationship with the stream, the song personifies the river as an elderly, wise woman who listens to and alleviates her troubles. Beautifully crafted to evoke imagery of late night confessions by the moon, the stripped-down lullaby blends Mia’s clear and soothing vocals with the slow strumming of an acoustic guitar. The track also incorporates a recording of the Kitchissippi river trickling by to convey an ambience of comfort and serenity – one that Mia finds every day in that exact sound.
About The Video:
Interjected with slow motion shots of the singer gracefully surfing in the stream, the video beautifully captures both the natural beauty of the river and the deep emotional connection Mia feels with it. With striking shots of light dancing on the water and Mia’s silhouette outlined against a lingering sunset, the video amplifies the sense of serenity emitted from the lullaby-esque song. Filmed in just two days, Mia recalls, “We were blessed with exceptional weather, a light breeze and soft sunset on both evenings. It felt magical, and healing, exactly the way the river makes me feel every time.” Partnering with Ottawa Riverkeepers to release and promote the video, Mia pledges to donate all of the proceeds from its Bandcamp sales to fund initiatives to preserve Kitchissippi river.
