Crushed some pavement to promote my upcoming show OCTOBER 4 at The Aviary with LINDSEY WALKER, Alex Dawkins and my very special band, Biboye Onanuga, Gareth Gilliland, Jenni Roberts and Vicky Berg!
Special shout out to Alex Dawkins for also being mentioned on THE MAIDS poster (go see the show at the Pendennis Building, Oct 24 – Nov 3)!
I am so stoked on these posters, designed by my pal, Gordon Montgomery and the folks at FKA. It was standing out all over the streets of #yegdt yesterday and today!
Hope to see you there- it’s going to be so wonderful sharing the stage with so many awesome humans. You can grab tickets to the show through my link below or on the Aviary site.
The colder months were coming, I had quit drinking less than a year prior and I was looking for something to keep my brain active.
It was wonderful and moving to be able to play the notes and hear them ring out on pitch.
The first piece of sheet music I worked on was ‘Angel’ by Sarah MacLachlan, an old favourite.
While playing fairly easily through the chords on the page, it occurred to me that maybe I should pick up songwriting again.
I had written the odd tune over the years, mostly co-writes.
I love to sing. I love to write. There was a freshly tuned piano and years of lessons in my creative arsenal.
I also grew up with a father who is a prolific songwriter and we often talked about the art form as he has asked my advice on many a tune over the course of my life.
All this to say that songwriting has become an important part of my life over the last few years.
–
Initially, I think I used it as a way to process some of the discomfort associated with quitting drinking.
It was a place where I could turn my overwrought emotions into a melody and lyrics, finding a way to express myself and potentially relate to others.
In the beginning, a lot of my songs were pretty heavy.
That being said, I was working through some heavy stuff.
I wrote the song, High Wire, as I was approaching a holiday season full of parties and social events.
At the time, I was terrified of being sober at all these events. Writing helped.
–
Lately, I’ve been witness to some of the shame and misery that come with alcohol abuse.
I remember these emotions all too well, because when I was a drinker, I cycled through them a lot.
I would wake up hung over, full of shame and anxiety.
I’d then wait until the time of day where it became socially acceptable to drink.
I would drink until the voices in my head got quiet. The day would end.
I’d wake up and do it all over again.
I see other folks in this cycle, and it brings me back to a time when I was so scared of what other people thought about me.
I figured if they knew what I knew about me and my coping mechanism, they’d despise me or think less of me.
I know now that that’s not true.
–
When I see someone struggling with alcohol, I don’t judge.
Life can be really hard.
I found alcohol after my parents divorced- it made me feel confident, happy and it wiped away all the worries in my brain.
No wonder I leaned on it.
I was a good person who found a bad coping mechanism.
I wish I could wash away all the shame that permeated my life for all the years I struggled with drinking.
I thought horrible things about myself and they just weren’t true.
If I could wash away all the misery and self doubt that consumes folks who struggle with addiction, I would.
–
New Eyes is a song about seeing the light in someone when they can’t.
I started writing it for a friend and realized that I was also writing it for myself.
ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?! I am teaming up with Lindsey Walker and Alex Dawkins to bring you a powerhouse night of live music and entertainment!
🕗 Doors @ 8PM 🎶 Music @ 9PM 💸 Tickets $15 in advance | $20 at the door
I’ll be playing with a FULL BAND, featuring Biboye Onanuga, Jenni Roberts, Vicky Berg and Gareth Gilliland!
Don’t miss out, grab your tickets through my link tree or the Aviary site- this’ll be the best night out you’ve had in Edmonton in Octobers past and present. PROMISE!
If you missed me with a band in June, not to worry…
I’ve got a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT on the horizon!
The Ellie train don’t stop!
CHOO CHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
New Eyes, the single, has done so well in the past few weeks!
Stream it here on Spotify!
The song has been streamed 658 times. It’s been added to 29 playlists.
It’s been most popular in Brazil, if you can believe it! It was on the radio there and also, in Uganda at the beginning of the month!
In addition to that, it’s been streamed all over the world- Europe, South America, Africa, you name it! How cool is that?
The song has had 2 really kind blog reviews, one by Direct-Actu and the other by LeFutureWave.
You can find my music on all the streaming platforms and if you’re wanting to access the tunes for free, shoot me a DM and I can send you a private link to listen. The more folks who hear the songs, the better!
My SHINE EP was also recently reviewed by the Gateway who said, “The EP is perfect to listen to as the wind rushes through your hair on a warm night, or in the background of a chill hangout with friends.”
I concur!
Give this promo a watch- directed and shot by Mike Robertson 🙂
Catch me playing my original tunes this Saturday, August 17 at the Downtown Farmer’s Market on 104th Street in Edmonton!
Since its release, SHINE the EP has been streamed a total of 4,363 times on Spotify- songs from the EP have been added to 335 playlists!
Shine, the single, has been added to 87 playlists. It’s had 10 Shazams in the United States! Neat!
Better Off has had 3,448 all time streams. It’s been added to 234 playlists! It’s been played on CJSR FM 88.5 and CFRC Kingston. The music video (directed by Mike Robertson) has been watched 6,169 times!
In the last week, New Eyes has been taking off!
I had someone the other day tell me that it was their new favourite song and that really filled me to the brim!
On Wednesday, New Eyes will be playing on Brazilian radio (@radioalternativarock)! It’ll also be playing on the radio in Uganda (@ejazzradio) this week, August 1 and 2! So cool to have my music travel all over the world!
I look forward to sharing more about the single, New Eyes in the days to come. Here are some images from the shoot for this single, thanks to Brianne Jang.
It’s probably my most favourite song on the EP to sing.
Have you had a chance to listen to it yet?
COME SEE ME PERFORM NEXT WEEK! I have my very first out of town gig and I am THRILLED!
WEDNESDAY, July 24, you can find me with Girl Brain at Maggie Walt Design’s Fashion Show (in the space above Flying Dragon Restaurant off Whyte), a fundraising event in support of Edmonton Fringe!
THURSDAY, July 25, I’ll be playing a FREE show at Dog Patch with James Murdoch and Lindon Carter! What a lineup- I’m so honoured to be included!
–
I am beyond thrilled that opportunities keep coming up that fill me with joy, excitement and confidence to keep pursuing my dreams!
Thanks for being here and maybe I’ll see you out at an event next week!
For now, here’s a link to listen to my EP in the interim. 😉
SHINE, the EP, released 3 weeks ago and it was a night to remember!
Whenever people ask how the release concert went, I start to beam. I really couldn’t have asked for a better night or better humans involved.
Looking through these images by my good pal, @BrianneJang, it’s easy to see how everybody shone so bright.
I am still lit from within, celebrating the fact that SHINE, the EP and its songs have found their way into the ears of friends and new listeners!
If you haven’t had a chance to take a listen yet, I welcome you to- I’m really proud of this body of work and hope that it continues to find new friends this summer!
Much love, Ellie
p.s. Here’s a video of me performing my first single, High Wire, at the show on June 20th, 2024 with my fantastic band, comprised of Biboye Onanuga, Gareth Gilliland, Jenni Roberts and Vicky Berg.
p.p.s. Here’s a link to the EP for your listening pleasure!
The fun never stops around here! Catch me this Friday, 1pm at the Works Festival!
I’ll be playing my tunes LIVE + SOLO at Churchill Square, right after my pops, Rob Heath. It’ll be a true family affair!
Speaking of which, bring your family down to RE/MAX field this Sunday to catch me co-hosting the Edmonton Riverhawks game. Fun fact: you can bring your own DOG!
That Saturday, July 6, I’ll be teaching a workshop on How to Produce a Show, so if you’ve been thinking of putting your own work up on a stage and need a little guidance, go sign up at GrindstoneComedyFest.com!
IN THE MEANTIME, GO LISTEN TO THE SHINE EP!
I’ve got more EP content to roll out in the weeks to come so Stay Tuned… and thanks for continuing to be here and receive my Ellie News- I do enjoy sharing it with your shining face.
GO OILERS!
What a night we had, celebrating the release of my first ever EP, SHINE at the Roxy 124 Street!
I am levitating right now from all of the love and sparkle of the night.
Thanks to everybody who came out and to all the folks who have been there throughout this process. Your love, care and energy are what keep me going after my dreams!
I saw a video recently where the great Conan O’Brien said, “to do what you love with the people you love, that’s heaven on earth.”
Ain’t that the truth?
The full EP, SHINE, is out now on all streaming services!
