Ten minute tea with Afternoon Tea. Spend ten minutes with Afternoon Tea. In the time it takes to boil one kettle, and let one cup of tea steep, we will have your daily art + music fix covered. Take your afternoon tea break with our Afternoon Tea curators.
Today’s tea + soundtrack + visuals curated by Kellie Loder.
Described as, “a multi-genre marvel,” Kellie Loder (they/them) is a JUNO Award nominated singer-songwriter who began their musical journey on the shores of Newfoundland & Labrador, lending to their unmatched songwriting prowess, and distinctive blend of folk, Americana and indie pop influences. Kellie‘s signature sound coupled with their magnetic stage presence has earned them notable accolades including, “Songwriter of the Year,” and “Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year” at the 2023 East Coast Music Awards, and placed as first-runner-up on Canada’s Got Talent (2022).
Songs need room to breathe. It took Kellie over two years to complete their song, “The Month of May.” The first part was written when they were hurting, and the rest of it was written when they were healed.
Kellie felt that it had an old school, retro feel so they used an old guitar amp from the 50s. They also brought in three gospel-based backup singers to sing choir-like parts and make the song feel as big as it deserves. For Kellie‘s recent releases, these songs encapsulate different types of transitions. Transitions in life and relationships can be beautiful, hard, but necessary.
I’m drinking orange pekoe tea. That’s the kind of tea I was raised on. If it wasn’t Tetley, it wasn’t tea. Rumour has it that my nan used to feed it to me from a baby bottle. I’m listening to an album by Kelsey Arsenault. I was at a cafe earlier today and ran into her mother, who is a fan of my music. She handed me Kelsey’s CD and asked me to listen. I did, and I chose this song titled Volcano. It reminds me of the joy of songwriting and how powerful a voice and a guitar can be. It transported me and had me wishing I was at a cabin secluded in the woods while watching the ocean out the still snow filled windows of Newfoundland. Kelsey’s voice is what does it for me.
My friend Sandra (Sandra-Lee Layden) is an incredible concert photographer so I’m letting this shot of Newfoundland’s prince (and other friend), Alan Doyle do a number on me. Gets me everytime.
Photo of Alan:
Tea + Me 