Kele Fleming is a deeply gifted singer-songwriter who resides in British Columbia. Kele (pronounced Kelly) gracefully weaves the vulnerability of traditional folk with the raw power of rock and roll. Her voice is a thunderstorm of emotion and grit that generously pours into the souls of her listeners. Her music is packed to the brim with complex musicality, tender lyricism and contagious passion. Kele’s work explores deeply personal themes that she executes flawlessly. Her music is similar to the likes of female powerhouses such as Neko Case, Lucinda Williams and Kate Bush yet her sound is entirely fresh. Kele’s is armed with ferocious lyrics, a mesmerizing voice and a profound aptitude for instrumentation- the combination is rare and refreshing.
Kele’s career has consistently reached impressive and exciting heights. A transplant from Nova Scotia and Ontario, the indie songstress began her professional songwriting journey fronting the 90’s indie outfit “Hazel Motes” of Vancouver, BC before branching off into the solo artist we know today. Hazel Motes produced a string of singles that charted on national college radio in Canada, performed at festivals across the country, and along with the likes of The Grapes of Wrath and Lava Hay, helped create the ‘Vancouver sound’ in the vibrant Vancouver indie scene of the ’90’s.
Her debut solo project ‘Songs from the Tinforest’ dropped in 2006, followed by ‘World in Reverse’ in 2010, ‘No Static’ in 2016, and then 2020’s ‘The Song I Will Write For My Whole Life’. Each album is stitched together with singles, intrinsically linked to Fleming’s perception of the world around her, the current climate, and her own personal experiences. Bridging from her deeply talented vivaciousness as a wordsmith, Fleming’s undeniable attention to detail in her lyrics are matched solely by the music it’s mounted against. Soothing tones, upbeat tempos, changing melodies – Fleming knows no bounds in her prowess to create music that suits the score of the song at hand. She masterfully creates mood-driven music – from indie rock, to roots and traditional. If the lyrics call for a rushing crescendo at the hook, Fleming bows to its needs and churns out another smash that draws the listener and holds them. She is fearless in her songwriting.
Fleming’s ability to produce albums of merit and excitement have landed her on stages, festivals and performance halls where she thrives in front of live audiences. Included among her impressive roster of appearances include gigs at Vancouver’s world-renowned venues like The Cultch, The Railway Club and the Wise Hall. Her exciting live show brings her songs from the albums to life – a glance at the wizard behind the curtain. Fleming’s riveting shows solidify her fan base, permitting them to lose themselves in her soundscape.
Kele has performed at some of the most renowned venues in Vancouver such as The Cultch, The Railway Club and the Wise Hall. She also carried her affinity for performing into at-home performance amidst the pandemic by launching a weekly livestream called ‘Musical Mondays.’ The series, which offers a peak into Kele’s creative process and welcomes viewers from around the globe, recently posted it’s 50th episode. Archived episodes are available to view on Kele’s Youtube channel.
Kele’s latest album ‘The Song I’ll Write For My Whole Life’ is a fully-fleshed album, staggeringly honest and beautifully written. The record includes “Sea In Me”, “Compassion Machine”, “Where The Rivers Meet” and “Reprieve” – each an instant indie classic, cultivating authenticity and connectivity of Fleming’s heart and soul. In an effort to realize the complexity of each individual song, Fleming sources talented videographers to bring a visual component to her fans. From the track off the album, to the music video, to the stage, Kele Fleming serves the 360 experience in her notion and know-how to allow her fans to feel and find themselves. This is how the songbird from the West Coast continues to hit all the right notes. And why we continue to listen.