It’s a big season for Mia Kelly, a 21-year-old singer-songwriter from Gatineau, Québec.
She’s just launched the first part of an exciting three-part tour. First she opens for acclaimed Québécois artist Bobby Bazini. Part two is her own album release tour. Finally she performs as the opening act for beloved Canadian folk trio the Good Lovelies. It has her playing seven shows in Alberta in October and November.
And in the midst of it, her second album, To Be Clear, is coming out October 4.
It’s a thrill to be so close to having her album out, she says, when we reach her at home in Gatineau.
“I’m so keen to see people’s reactions, to see what resonates and what doesn’t,” she says. “But most of all, I’m just excited to finally have it shared with the world.”
Her first album, Garden Through The War, came out in 2022.
“After I recorded it I traveled for six months. I did a lot of solo backpacking and a lot of just figuring out who I am,” Kelly says. “Then I came home and have basically been touring ever since then. The songs on this album very much reflect me growing into who I am now.”
She’s finding her song creation has been shifting recently.
“My writing lately has been a lot more centered around happy writing. I’ve written a lot of sad songs and when you’re touring all the time it’s so much more fun to be playing happy songs. I love a sad song but it can get a little heavy.”
Kelly’s unique blend of folk, rock and blues has been getting attention. She was awarded both the Young Performer of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2024 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Kelly says she likes the way her touring is set up for the next few months, starting with opening for someone else, then performing her own shows, then opening again.
“I’m kind of glad that it’s sandwiched. Support tours are so much less stress, it’s not all on me to sell the tickets, it’s just showing up and warming the crowd up,” she smiles.
Between her solo show and her tour with The Good Lovelies, Kelly will be gracing stages in Alberta starting October 30, including in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Canmore and Fort McLeod. Her full tour schedule is on her website.
“Si j’étais franche,” the newest single from Mia Kelly’s album To Be Clear:
