Canadian Country Artist Amanda Keeles Shares Modern Country Single About Finding Joy in Looking Back
London, Ontario-based country artist, Amanda Keeles is back with a brand new single, “Saving Grace,” which follows her previous releases, “My Heart Feels The Same Way Too” and “Blame it on the Moonlight.”
After dusting off her decades-old songbook that she found herself always adding to but never pulling from, Keeles launched her Country music career in January 2023, leaving behind a top position in the financial industry, and a relationship that did not encourage creative pursuits.
The new single, “Saving Grace” was written by Amanda, recorded at MCC Studios in Calgary, AB, and produced by Johnny Gasparic. Musicians featured on the track include Chris Byrne (The Road Hammers), Joey McIntyre, Keith Floen, Therry Lawson, and Bill Blayney.
Review
“Saving Grace” spins a story of youthful love, nostalgia, and the lasting impact of a bygone romance.
The verses vividly portray romantic scenes: moonlit kisses, dancing in the rain, and secret rendezvous in an old pick-up truck on quiet back roads, amplifying the song’s nostalgic charm and evoking a profound sense of yearning for days gone by.
The chorus is the heart of the track, with its melodic structure and heartfelt lyrics. “When my heart is breaking and I can’t get out of this place, I close my eyes and think of you, cause you are my saving grace,” beautifully expresses a deep longing and the comforting notion that recalling this past love offers solace and relief in life’s most challenging times.
“Saving Grace” beautifully reminds us that amidst life’s ups and downs, certain romances and relationships become the threads that link us to our most cherished memories, forever offering us solace and strength.
You’ve unveiled your latest single, “Saving Grace.” Tell us about the writing process behind the release.
Saving Grace was an idea of existing in a space of feeling lost and closing one’s eyes to find a happy place. And that happy place is a person’s “saving grace”. So when you hear it, everyone will have their own saving grace. Whether it be a person, feeling, or greater belief….that is for the listener to interpret. Mine revolved around the story of a younger love that gave me such happiness. And even though it ended, it still gives that sense of joy in remembering the feelings it once brought. The music video captures that story. It will be released in the coming weeks.
“Saving Grace” was recorded at MCC Studio in Calgary and produced by Johnny Gasparic, with a talented lineup of musicians. Can you share some insights into the studio experience and the collaboration that went into bringing this song to life?
When I send my songs to Johnny he knows, from my simple self-recorded demos, what it takes to bring my songs to life. He is such an amazing talent from producing and mixing to adding specialty instruments and guitar riffs. We have had the same musicians for all my songs on the album as they have a good feel for my style of writing. They are top-notch musicians who have Junos and CCMA awards along with Johnny having 2 Grammy nominations, multiple CCMA nominations, and West Coast Music Engineer of the Year Award. Our musician meetings are filled with banter and ideas around my lyrics and melody. A lot of laughs and comradery. It makes for a creative and relaxed session which allows creativity to soar. MCC Studio has been CCMA Studio of the Year for the last 3 years as well as just winning YYC Studio of the Year. The reason I have flown back to Alberta from Ontario for each of the recordings on the album is that the Dave Temple/Johnny Gasparic team produces such great creative mastered recordings.
“Saving Grace” combines classic country influences with modern elements. How do you strike a balance between honoring traditional sounds and infusing your music with a contemporary twist?
My classic country influence definitely stems from my roots. Growing up surrounded by musicians in my family, we were introduced to country music through my mother. She was part of a travelling country barn dance show in her younger years that named her “Sweetheart of the Barn Dance”. She wrote her own songs that always had that classic country feel. So that is something I am sure is a part of my writing even when I don’t realize it. But, I always say I am a classic rock lover who sings country music. I love the sound of an electric guitar shredding somewhere in the song. You will find a strong drum beat even in my slower songs. Seeing me perform my upcoming album release shows coming in early 2024, you will see rock popping up throughout my set giving a variation of country, contemporary, and some rock influence. Country music is a genre that has so many variations. The great thing is there is an audience somewhere for every country artist, no matter what style you present.
As a newcomer to the music scene, what have you found most surprising or rewarding about the process of creating and releasing your music, especially with the debut of your third single?
This has been a learning year for me. Releasing my music was exciting and I learned a lot from how radio pitches work, streaming, and becoming familiar with social media which is a universe of its own! I took this year to really watch other artists and learn about the industry, what was working and what wasn’t, soaking in as much information to help me grow as an artist. This third single is one of my favorites on the album. It has a flow that builds, an electric guitar solo, and a story that everyone can identify with about that one person in your past you will never forget no matter where life takes you. The most rewarding feeling for me is having the freedom to really live my music! I had reluctantly set it aside for many other reasons than my own. I am at a point now where there is nothing that can hold me back or stop me from doing what I have always loved. Singing, writing and performing. Hence, the debut album “Can’t Stop Me Now”.
Beyond “Saving Grace,” what can we expect from your future music releases and artistic endeavors?
Saving Grace goes to country radio on October 6 and the music video will be out the following week. Can’t wait for everyone to see the video shot by Roadhouse Productions! Besides the album release in 2024, you will find me performing with the band. We are in rehearsals now and I can’t wait to hit the stage. I have an extremely talented group of guys playing with me that ‘wow’ me every time we rehearse. I wrote all the songs on the album but intend to grow further as a writer and collaborate with other writers in the coming year.