By Will McGuirk
Roots artist, Jadea Kelly, will be in Oshawa at the Biltmore Theatre on Sunday Oct. 2 2022. Kelly is touring her latest album, ‘Roses’, which was released earlier this year. Many of you will know her as the voice on ‘Kezia’, the debut album from Whitby’s Protest the Hero. Kelly grew up in Whitby too, singing in her church choir, but instead of moving into metal after the success of that project, chose instead the singer/songwriter route. In pursuit of the muse she moved as needed; Toronto, Nashville, Los Angeles, Home became the road, until lockdown, and LA became home-base, a place to pause and take stock.
Slowcity.ca had an email chat with Jadea as she started the Canadian leg of her ‘Roses’ tour, the European leg tucked away now.
Slowcity.ca: What were you running from on 'Driveway', the first single of the record. did you know at the time you were running or was it after a deeper dive into who you are?
Jadea Kelly: Ultimately, I was running from myself and running away from taking care of myself. One of my favourite Nashville songwriters, Madi Diaz, sings “you can’t be a new person in an old place”. I desperately needed to leave Toronto. Too much heartbreak and earlys 20s life lessons. Los Angeles provided a blank slate with fresh faces to take time and space for myself. And finish this album at a healthier pace.
SC: Obviously pandemic for all its loss did provide a chance for reflection - Much of this record was written during those times, which songs speak to your growth, not personally, but as a musician?
JK: “I was musically pushed on songs like ‘roses’ and ‘temporary farewell’. I had a structure, melody and lyrics for those songs, but my producer, Aaron Goldstein, helped me create more intricate chord progressions and unique soundscapes.
“I also recorded a majority of this album remotely, because of lockdown. In the past I have always tracked live off the floor with a group of musicians. That was very challenging for me musically, to make decisions on a song alone in my car!”
SC: Roses are such a metaphor, you have some songs about flowers, do roses hold a specific place for you, or is there a broader meaning - also one usually gets a dozen but ten? two short of true love ?
JK: “Well done for spotting that! When i wrote ‘10 Roses’ i was in a Los Angeles relationship that felt like a graduation in love in intimacy, but in many ways it still wasn’t the full bouquet.”
SC: How do you feel about getting back at it all, touring, travelling, playing; some artists are speaking out and taking further breaks, how are you handling it?
JK: “Well, I’m pretty lucky currently. I have Ryan O’Reilly by my side to weather tour uncertainty. Very talented songwriter based in Berlin and opening my Ontario dates. He booked the European leg - which we just completed - and i booked the Canadian run with my agent Lianne Gravitis. Every show has been welcomed and beautiful. Audience members are ready for live music.
“I definitely had a rough start to the tour. I tested positive for covid on day 1 and Aer Lingus lost my guitar for 3 weeks. But, being able to tour amongst the Swiss Alps and Italy is worth the obstacles”
SC: You have been nominated for the OMAs, which will be awarded Thursday, that’s exciting, what are your thoughts on the nomination and on the awards themselves?
JK: “I absolutely love that Oshawa has an awards ceremony. I’m writing this before I hear the results: so if i WIN then this is the greatest honour ever. But, if i lose. . .”