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 break with our Afternoon Tea curators. Need an extra lump of sugar? One more sip? If you have five minutes more (or ten), we have one more hit.
Today’s tea + soundtrack + visuals curated by Ellie Heath.
Canadian singer-songwriter Ellie Heath shares her debut album Pushing Forty alongside its bright and empowering lead single “That Sunshine’s Mine.”
Rooted in joyful reflection and forward momentum, Pushing Forty captures a pivotal chapter in Ellie’s life; standing at the edge of change while embracing both the excitement and uncertainty that come with it. Blending pop, synth, indie, and rock textures, the record radiates with an effervescent energy that celebrates growth, transformation, and the beauty of stepping into something new.
“Pushing Forty began as a way to document a specific season of life,” Ellie explains. “I was entering the final year of my thirties, moving in with my partner, settling into a home and just about to welcome a dog into our lives. It felt like I was closing certain doors while opening others and I wanted to capture that emotional crossroads; the excitement and the nerves!”
Watch + share “That Sunshine’s Mine” here:
At the heart of the record’s uplifting spirit is “That Sunshine’s Mine,” a playful yet powerful anthem about protecting your joy. What began as a lighthearted challenge in the studio quickly evolved into something more personal and resonant.
“We joked that writing a sunshine song was basically a guaranteed hit,” she says. “From there, it evolved into something more personal about protecting your joy and not letting others dim your light.”
Driven by punchy, high-energy production and a sense of uninhibited fun, “That Sunshine’s Mine” leans into a bright, confident pop-rock sound. Its fast-paced momentum and communal gang vocals create a feeling of spontaneity and release, tapping into a kind of childlike freedom. “It makes me feel like a kid in the best possible way,” Ellie notes. “It feels fun, empowered, mischievous and free!”
The song’s playful spirit extends into its creation. Originally opening with a rooster crow as a theatrical wake-up call, the track underwent a last-minute shift when Ellie agreed to strip it back and let the energy of the song speak for itself. The result is immediate, vibrant, and undeniably infectious.
Across Pushing Forty, that same balance of intention and freedom defines the sound. Created alongside collaborators Hawksley Workman and Tristan Konkle in Peterborough, ON, the album embraces both precision and play, allowing moments of joy, humour, and connection to sit alongside introspection and growth.
One Piece of Music: “In the Meantime” by Spacehog
I was reintroduced to this song while recording Pushing Forty in Peterborough with Hawksley Workman and Tristan Konkle. After long days in the studio, we’d often gather for dinner and the soundtrack was always fantastic. When “In the Meantime” came on, it felt like a blast from the past. It has this epic, cinematic quality that’s both nostalgic and expansive, and I think some of that feeling found its way into the album. Whenever I hear it now, it instantly takes me back to that time.
One Visual: The poetry of Josh Turek
Lately, I’ve really been enjoying the work of poet Josh Turek. I first discovered him on Instagram. Much of his recent work reflects on becoming a father and navigating life’s transitions, but what I appreciate most is his ability to capture the human experience in a way that feels both simple and profound. His writing is direct, honest, and unpretentious, yet it manages to say so much with very few words. As a songwriter, that’s something I admire.
One Tea: Chamomile Tea
My tea pairing would be chamomile. Years ago, I had a boss who was one of the calmest, most easy going people I’ve ever met. One day I asked him what his secret was, and without missing a beat he said, “Chamomile tea.”
Now, whenever life feels a little chaotic or I need to slow down and regroup, I make myself some chamomile tea.
Tea + Me 