Kelsey Hayes is an Ottawa singer-songwriter and Carleton student who is making a name for herself in the Ottawa music scene. She has released two EPs and in July, she’s slated to play at Bluesfest. The Charlatan sat down with her to talk about her music and her plans.
The Charlatan (TC): How did you get started with music?
Kelsey Hayes (KH): That’s a tricky question. I started singing when I was seven and then I quit for a little while and [in] middle school my music teacher kind of reignited my love for music so ever since I was eleven, I have been singing and playing guitar and piano. I started taking the classes pretty much all at once.
TC: So, who are your music influences?
KH: I would say Amy Winehouse is a really big one; I also love Ed Sheeran, a little bit of Taylor Swift; a lot of pop artists. I listen to a lot of pop radio and then I’m also a jazz singer. So I love listening to Amy Winehouse and Ella FitzGerald.
TC: How would you define your music?
KH: It’s a very difficult question (laughs) when you’re talking about something that you create, but I would probably say pop, there’s a lot of strong melodies. But I would also say there’s a hint of jazz. It’s in the vocal delivery and also in terms of the way I style the song.
TC: How do you feel about booking Bluesfest?
KH: I’m very, very excited. I’m pretty much thrilled, I would say.
TC: Is this your first time playing at a major festival?
KH: Yes. Yeah, well I played winter Jazz Fest—not in the fall— In the winter so about a month or two ago I played winter Jazz fest. But it’s always been when I play festivals like that, it’s always been in the smaller clubs. So, for Bluesfest to put me on one of the main festival stages, I’m very excited.
TC: How did you book Bluesfest?
KH: So generally, there’s an application process and I just sent my application in online for the local musicians, cause Bluesfest is wonderful and they book a lot of local acts. So, I sent my application in, waited and then the lineup came out and I was like ‘Oh! I guess I didn’t get it this year.’ But I received an email a couple of weeks ago with a contract to book me, so they chose my application.
TC: You must have been very happy.
KH: Yeah! I was happy, I did a happy dance.
TC: How do you combine school and music?
KH: Well, I’m currently going to school for music. It’s a bachelor of music and performance. They have a singer-songwriter program here, so it’s what’s I’m taking which is helpful because often things will go hand-in-hand. But it is challenging when I’m writing essays and other stuff like that for classes and not doing active composition, to find time for the essays and also to do the work that I’m doing right now for application to festivals, and networking, and going to shows and all that sort of stuff. It’s not easy, but it’s doable. And I think it’s pretty necessary.
TC: So, do you want a career as a musician?
KH: Yeah.
TC: What are your plans going forward?
KH: So, I’m running my own career as a singer-songwriter, but I’m also running a jazz duo. I have two different acts that I’m kind of managing on my own to work. Basically, to find work as a professional musician, and it’s been working so far. I have contracts with Nordstrom right now, I play in their restaurant once a month with my jazz duo and some cafés around the city. Shows are kind of popping up more and more. So I’m hoping that next year, I would be able to just spend more time booking and researching and learning more about the business side, so that I can carry myself further.
TC: So with summer coming up there’s gonna be more shows you can play for?
KH: Yes. Yeah! Though Bluesfest is the biggest one so far, but we’ll see what else kinda pops up, if there’s other things I can go to.
TC: Can you tell me how you went from playing the piano as a kid to being really serious with music?
KH: That’s a good question. I wasn’t sure if I was going to study music; If I was gonna go to school for it. And I remember the last week before applications were due for university, my music teacher saying ‘Kelsey you should really go for music. I think you can do it!’ And before that I hadn’t really listened to anybody who told me that (laughs) but for some reason that day, a light bulb clicked in my head and I thought: ‘Oh! Maybe I can do this.’ And so then I applied to university and when I got in, I figured, I might as well go for it.
Yeah, So, I’ve been working hard professionally for the past few years believing in it. I think you really have to believe that you can do it, or else, it won’t happen.
TC: What year are you in?
KH: So, I’m in my fourth year so I’m going to graduate; I’ll finish in a month.
TC: That’s exciting
KH: It is exciting
TC: So, you’ll have the whole time to explore your music
KH: Yeah, that’ll be nice. Because going to school and I also teach music. So, I teach as a private instructor, so going to school and going to work leaves you a little bit less time to practice and write and do those sort of things, but when school is out of the equation for a bit, I think I’ll have more time to explore even some of the things I learned here. Cause the material, they don’t have time to cover everything in depth, right? So, they give you a hint of all sorts of different styles of music and ways to learn and things on your instrument; so I should have some time to kind of explore it a little bit more.
TC: Where do you teach?
KH: I have some private students, but then I also teach at the Manotick School of Music.
TC: Do you plan on furthering your education or just business from now on?
KH: I’m not sure. My plan is to take the next couple of years and work really, really hard at pursuing a career, and if it doesn’t happen— because sometimes, it’s a bit of a time and place thing with the music industry— but I’m gonna work really hard at it and if I can launch a career, I’ll keep going, but if I struggle, and I’m not able to do it then maybe I’ll pursue an MBA.
TC: That’s great.
KH: That’s my plan, my mum wants me to do the backup plan right now, but I figure I might as well spend some time going at it full force.
Photo by Jasmine Foong
