Among a packed crowd at Ritual Nightclub, Ottawa-based band Little Stella offered the crowd on their new eponymous EP, Little Stella on Oct. 3. The crowd certainly showed how thankful they were, approvingly chanting their appreciation and wishes for more with cries of “Little Stella!”
The self-styled folk-rock band is made of Ryan Tansley, current Carleton student Jeff Watkins on keyboard, Zach Ledgerwood on bass, and James Siwanowicz on guitar and back-up vocals.
Lauren Tansley, Ryan’s sister, made an appearance at the EP release party, eager to see the show.
“Every Little Stella concert impresses. But this one was exceptional because the turnout was great [and] the energy was great,” she said.
“I don’t think you can ask for a better crowd, really. They are so into it and I just think it is phenomenal.”
When Little Stella came on stage, the crowd gathered in tight to experience it.
Little Stella was started by four students, one of whom is Watkins, a fifth-year international business student who studied abroad in Spain last year.
Prior to Watkins’ travelling, Little Stella released their first EP called Songs for Spain. Since then, their sound has developed organically.
Siwanowicz said he would describe the new EP as similar to the melodic sensibilities of Songs of Spain.
“[Little Stella] has lyrics that everybody can relate to. The EP is more mature and instrumental,” he said.
“The whole band has matured and I think it has a bit more edginess to it that Songs for Spain didn’t have. It’s more rock and roll lyrically.”
Little Stella’s sound has developed the way it has by playing together every day and experimenting, Siwanowicz said. A band that openly loves all types of music, with a broad sound that can sound different day by day.
“The style evolves from song to song. We have so many influences. Each song has a soul, a distinct entity,” Siwanowicz said.
Ryan Tansley did most of the songwriting, and Zach Ledgerwood helped with a few. Together they would bring it to the band semi-structured. The arrangements evolve from there.
And the fan base seems to love it, Watkins said. Upbeat musically but with some lyrical edge, Little Stella’s new EP party was a great success, the Carleton-based band looks forward to continuing to shows, the next one at Le Petit Chicago for the Quebec-based Omnium du Rock band competition.
