Exclusive Premiere: Stream Mia Kelly’s Stripped Down New Single “Kitchissippi”

By: Staff –

Emerging Canadian singer-songwriter Mia Kelly is back with her new stripped down single “Kitchissippi”. Stream it exclusively via Aesthetic Magazine below.

Drawing from the songwriter’s personal experiences, 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 Kelly’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 Kelly’s happiest memories. During the pandemic, Kelly 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, Kelly 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 Kelly’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 Kelly finds every day in that exact sound.

“It’s about how the river has been a place of healing and comfort in a loud, crazy world,” said Kelly.

Collaborating with producer Jim Bryson (Kathleen Edwards, The Tragically Hip) and mastered by Grammy-nominated Phillip Shaw Bova (Lido Pimienta, Bahamas), Kelly is set to release her debut album, Garden Through The War, this summer. 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.