Kelly McMichael is a fearless songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who channels grit and grace with nostalgic hooks and art-rock ambition that feels both familiar and thrillingly unpredictable. On stage, she is magnetic and unapologetically powerful. Her latest release, After The Sting Of It (2024), layers indie rock with ethereal sonic landscapes and bold, defiant vocals. The album charted nationally in Canada on alternative radio stations, was longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, and won Music NL’s ‘Album of the Year’. Her debut Waves (2021) was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize and won an East Coast Music Award. An interdisciplinary divergent perspective and DIY recording led Kelly to become an imaginative performer and producer with earlier feminist synth projects Rouge and Renders. McMichael was recruited to play with Canadian acts including Gentleman Reg, Allie X, Tim Baker, The Burning Hell, and Sarah Harmer, which helped sharpen her own singular artistic voice. Originally from Peterborough, Ontario, Kelly McMichael is now based in Newfoundland, Canada. Even Shorter: Kelly McMichael is a magnetic performer making indie music that’s ethereal, gritty and feels both nostalgic and thrillingly unpredictable. Her latest album, After The Sting Of It (2024) leans into art-rock production with bold vocals and playful sonic landscapes. It charted on alternative radio stations, won MusicNL’s 2025 Album of the Year award, and was longlisted for the Polaris Music Prize. Her debut album Waves (2021) was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize and won an ECMA. McMichael has also played with The Burning Hell, Tim Baker and Sarah Harmer. She resides in Newfoundland, Canada. One sentence summary: Kelly McMichael is a magnetic, Polaris-nominated songwriter and multi-instrumentalist making alternative pop/rock that is bold, nostalgic, gritty and ethereal.