Nanaimo-Based Laura Kelsey To Release New EP, Hunting Season
Nanaimo, BC-based singer-songwriter Laura Kelsey is writing modern mythology with her debut EP Hunting Season released on April 29, 2023.
With a powerhouse voice like Evanescence’s Amy Lee and a timeless vibe like Stevie Nicks, prepare to be enchanted by Kelsey’s captivating soundscapes and mystical lyrics. Whether she’s casting a banishing spell after receiving an ex’s friend request on “Your Stormy Ways” or singing a unique creation story on the title track, Laura effortlessly infuses earthy magic into her musical storytelling.
“Hunting Season,” Kelsey explains, “is about the cycles of life and seasons. It delves into this mythological idea I created years ago, about an underground pool of energy that sits below a countless number of glowing strings. Each string holds the energy of a living thing on Earth — whether human, plant or animal — and, when a life ends, its string snaps and its energy joins the pool below to be reformed into a new life, a new string. The song, with its dreamy feel, explores cycles in an underground world where every living thing’s life energy is suspended in strings above a great pool. When something dies, its string snaps and its energy rejoins the pool to be dispersed and recreated.”
After ten years of applying for funding, Kelsey finally received a grant from Creative BC to record her debut EP. While primarily a singer-songwriter, Kelsey has fronted metal, blues, and folk bands for over a decade. As a solo artist, she brings these musical influences together to create unique songs inspired by natural West Coast elements, honesty, and dreams.
“Overall,” she says, “the album is about cycles and energy.”
Alongside her music, Kelsey is also a talented filmmaker and has woven together the EP’s larger folklore through both music videos and visual art. The album’s cover art was shot by photographer and filmmaker Arpen Jhajj, owner of Salt & Charcoal Pictures, and features a dazzling headpiece created by floral artist Lisa of Fleur De Lii and a dress handmade by local Valley of Wanderlust.
“Despite it being a very hot day,” Kelsey recalls, “I spent a lot of time in the water and ended up having blue lips for some of the photos because I was so cold!”
The Hunting Season EP was recorded and mixed on Bowen Island, B.C., by producer Winston Hauschild at the Treehouse Studio.
Watch the video for “Your Stormy Ways” below and learn more about Laura via our mini-interview.
Care to introduce yourself?
I’m an art-folk musician and performer whose EP Hunting Season is out on April 29th. I play live as a solo artist and with my band, The Cosmopolitik.
Tell us about the process of writing “Your Stormy Ways.”
Like most of my songs, I wrote “Your Stormy Ways” on the acoustic guitar. The song was inspired by the current over-connectedness of society, the push to network and stay linked to anyone you’ve ever met… When there are certainly people out there, you should let go of. For recording, I was lucky to work with producer Winston Hauschild on Bowen Island, who added his wizardry to the song, along with drummer Flavio Cirillo.
What’s it like being a musician in Nanaimo?
I’ve lived in Nanaimo for almost seven years and found it to be an artistically-encouraging place – audiences and promoters are supportive, and the natural landscape is inspiring. A drawback to living on an island is that ferries can be canceled without warning sometimes.
Who was the first Canadian artist to blow you away?
One of my favourite Canadian musicians is always going to be Brent Morton (aka Drum & Bell Tower/aka Lyle Bats) of Horsefly, B.C. He is a one-man musical force who outputs an endless supply of amazing music.
You’ve been making music for a short bit now. What’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
Don’t let social media dictate your creative life. There is definitely pressure to keep up a constant online presence, but if that is hindering a link to your creative spirit, it’s OK to step back and take a break.