Mia Kelly and Basset
Sunday, February 26, 2:00pm
MERA Schoolhouse, McDonald’s Corners
The leadoff concert of the 2023 Spring Series is a double bill featuring these talented young performers that we are sure have a bright future ahead of them.
Tickets are $25.00 plus service fees available at Tickets Please.
The MERA Schoolhouse is located at 974 Dalhousie Concession 9A, McDonald’s Corners, Ont., K0G 1M0
Mia Kelly is a singer-songwriter from Gatineau, Quebec who writes and performs in both French and English. Mia enthralls listeners with a distinctive blend of Folk, Rock, and Blues and is making her mark in the Canadian folk music scene at the age of 19. Backed by her performance on guitar or piano and accompanied by foot percussion, Kelly’s foot-stomping sing-a-longs are anchored by her powerful voice that emanates with raw emotion. Her infectious energy captivates you as she shares her heartfelt stories & banter.
Swiftly gaining recognition as a poetic lyricist with a powerful and versatile voice, Mia is a born performer who radiates confidence on stage. With her knack for adapting 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.
In August of 2022, Kelly released her first album “Garden Through the War”. Produced and mixed at Fixed Hinge Studio by Ottawa’s Jim Bryson (Kathleen Edwards, The Tragically Hip) and mastered by Grammy-nominated Phillip Shaw Bova, the record demonstrates maturity in Kelly’s songwriting. Exploring themes of resilience and growth that follow hardship, the album has already received recognition from the SOCAN foundation.
Mia has had the privilege of playing many incredible folk stages throughout Canada and the United States including RBC Bluesfest, Summerfolk Festival, Festival des Montgolfières de Gatineau, Blue Skies Festival and Club Passim. In 2022, Kelly was awarded Emerging Artist by Culture Outaouais and was named by the Ottawa Citizen as one of the city’s top artists to watch in 2020.
“Mia sings a melody with power and confidence. Within seconds her voice and presence had the audience transfixed. This young lady is someone to watch!”- Off the grid productions
” It was a joy to share the show with Ontario’s own Mia Kelly and get to hear her exquisite music for the first time “-Allison Russel, Birds Of Chicago
“Her powerful vocals transcend her young years and she has an impressive natural confidence that is rarely seen. Mia is without a doubt one of Ottawa’s most promising emerging artists.”-Kelly Symes, Bluesfest
“…she’s one heck of a powerhouse vocalist with a terrific collection of songs.”-Roots Music Canada
“She’s a ball of energy and her voice and writing will take her far.” -Arthur McGregor, Upper Canada Folk Festival
To see and hear Mia Kelly CLICK HERE
Toronto-based folk duo, Basset, are full of timeless heart. Acoustic songwriters Sam Clark and Yasmine Shelton will take you through city streets in the hours before the world has woken, or to a corrugated steel home north of the treeline.
Basset bring a deep love of the natural world to their gorgeously meditative and assured debut album, In The Clay, set to release on September 30th, 2022. Produced by Joshua Van Tassel (Sarah Slean, David Myles), the ten songs on In The Clay explore various themes of life in change, Shelton and Clark’s travels around Northern Ontario, the Canadian and American prairies, their lives in Toronto, and the many characters who have crossed their paths. With comparisons to The Milk Carton Kids, Hozier, and Bon Iver, their inventiveness shines on fiddle and intricate harmonies, with Shelton and Clark’s voices wrapping around each other like twin flames in a warm fire.
In Spring/Summer 2022, Basset performed at NXNE in Toronto, and as Official Showcase Artists at Folk Alliance International. They took part in a 15-stop Canadian East coast tour and will be performing at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Youth Stage. In 2021 they performed at Boston-based Club Passim’s virtual Campfire Festival, as well as the Honey Jam developing artist showcase (Nelly Furtado, Jully Black, Haviah Mighty) in Toronto. They’ve performed across Ontario and Quebec promoting their self-titled EP and are looking forward to touring their Debut Album, In the Clay, in the Northeastern USA in Fall/Winter 2022.
Press Quotes:
“The folk harmonies, though, are what really won my heart over with this song. The duo remind me a little of the Milk Carton Kids blended with a Rawling Welch style as well. It’s an outstanding sound […] Close your eyes and listen; I bet these harmonies will give you chills.” – Ear to the Ground
“What I love about Basset is that with each song they release we are guaranteed to listen to dreamy harmonies packed with raw emotion, instantly connecting the listeners to their storytelling. […] lush, acoustic guitar riffs, subtle bass and their stunning vocals & harmonies that together create such a heartwarming and soothing touch perfect for an introspective, relaxing day at home alone.” – Caesar Live N Loud
.” An epic sound journey awaits you in the notes of this sweet song, which will lull your senses and bring a hint of nostalgia. All very simple and good, like a pleasant sunny afternoon in the countryside, where peace reigns and good food completes the picture… draw that feeling in your mind, press play. – Roadie Music
“Expressive and raw performance from Basset.” – Glide Mag
To see and hear Basset CLICK HERE
Tickets are $25.00 plus service fees available Tickets Please.
The MERA Schoolhouse is located at 974 Dalhousie Concession 9A, McDonald’s Corners, Ont., K0G 1M0