Kelly McMichael is a multi-instrumentalist who can sling a guitar, serenade on piano and program beats in equal measure. Kelly’s early songwriting career was established in Ontario around 2007 through DIY feminist electronic synth bands Rouge, and later on, Renders. Her interests cover a broad range of pop/rock production styles combining retro and futuristic sounds in service of commanding vocals and well-crafted songwriting. After a decade as a side player, McMichael’s independent debut LP Waves had a breakthrough in 2021, garnering a spot on the Polaris Prize shortlist, three Music NL Awards, and the ECMA for Best Rock Recording.

Kelly’s sophomore album is a genreless expansion on the classic sound of her debut. Recorded and co-produced with Jake Nicoll, this music sits in the comfort of its core ideas while being utterly unafraid to try new things, including McMichael doing much of the recording herself. It plays exactly how its maker intended. “I write and record in a way that you’re just giving the song what it needs. Why limit the creativity? I don’t want limitations.” After The Sting Of It arrives September 2024. Be one of the first to see her perform it at the NAC!