Posted: September 24, 2023
Inspired by the River: Mia Kelly delves into her song “Kitchissippi”
Local Ottawa musician Mia Kelly, who performed at the 2023 Riverkeeper Gala, walks us through the influences of her single “Kitchissippi”, what the Ottawa River means to her, and how important it is to get out and be surrounded by nature.
Mia Kelly is a local Ottawa musician, and in 2022 released a new single “Kitchissippi” which she has described as a “love song dedicated to our great river”. The song recognizes how important the river is to her, and as part of the release of the single, Mia Kelly encourages donations to Ottawa Riverkeeper to support a clean and healthy Ottawa River, so that it can continue to inspire future generations.
Below, Mia Kelly answers some questions about “Kitchissippi”, as well as personal anecdotes about why this river is so important to her.
Who are your musical influences?
I have many influences, but in the last few years major influences have been Shakey Graves, Matt Holubowski, Allison Russel, Leif Vollebekk, Adrienne Lenker.
What is the inspiration behind your single, “Kitchissippi”?
‘Kitchissippi’ is a love song dedicated to our great river. It is a thank you for the way the river carried me through my life, an ode to the spaces that allow us to escape the noise.
The Ottawa River is special to all of us. Why is it special to you?
I’ve lived in a little house by the river my whole life. I learned to swim at the beach in the big bay, I’ve taken first dates to the river, picnics with friends by the banks, countless memories. I’ve sat by the river when I overflow with emotions my whole life. It is a space where I can drown out all the noise and get lost in thought as I watch it flow in front of me.
You’ve mentioned the Ottawa River was of particular value to you during the COVID-19 pandemic. Can you tell us a little bit more about that?
At the beginning of the pandemic, my school went online, my tours got cancelled, so many social spheres of my life as I’d known, as everyone else’s did, withered and I found myself in a very difficult time. Several weeks into the pandemic, after struggling with my mental health, I got invited to the river by my neighbour, who is a river surfer in my community. He initiated me, and introduced me to the community, sport, and the magic that is river surfing. This became a sort of saving grace, a perfect way to spend my long months in quarantine.
River surfing is featured prominently in the music video for “Kitchissippi”. Tell us more about the sport! Was it difficult to learn? What do you like about it?
Learning how to river surf was a huge for my confidence. It was a hard sport to learn, as it was mostly older guys, and very few women, so as a 17-year-old girl, it was intimidating. However, the more I got into the sport, and into the community, I discovered how kind and uplifting everyone was. The sport itself has its challenges, the cold, and the frustrating learning curve at the beginning, but the rewards are SO worth the time and energy. It is so satisfying, so meditative, so fun. It allows me to explore, to make the most of where I live. Plus, the views from the waves in the middle of the river are the best in town.
Generously, you’ve decided to donate a portion of the proceeds from your song, “Kitchissippi” to Ottawa Riverkeeper. Why is that important to you?
I think weaving activism into my art is so important. If there are ways I can help give voice to the causes that are important to me, I will. I feel so grateful to the river, so I wanted to give back.
What’s one thing you want listeners of “Kitchissippi” to know?
That it’s never too late to try something new, or to go out and soak in more of the nature that surrounds you. We’re so lucky to have the river, and there are so many ways to enjoy it, be it skating in a bay, swimming, paddling, biking, etc.
Mia, lovely song very evocative. I am a hobby songwriter and “water person” , a retired fish biologist. Riversurfing looks fun but at my age I think I will stick to the flat water for kayaking and paddle boarding. It just so happens I have penned a song about the river. If you are interested I can send you the chords and my PC-based recording. Laura Reinsborough invited me to to post it on this blog. I do not have a web site so here are the lyrics:
“COME BACK TO THE RIVER” (Don Wismer 2023)
[chorus] [ Note: To be played to begin the song then after each verse except Verse 4 ]
——————————————————————-Come back to the river…..… embrace it’s charms.
A mirror of feelings……….A window to your heart.
[verse 1]——————————————————–
Ten thousand years since…. the Sea drained off to the east.
The Kichi Sibi remained… 12O0 Kilometers…of river… un – leashed.
For thousands of years the Algonquins have loved what it offered,
Spirit Praying at the kettle….. of boiling… waters.
[verse 2]——————————————————–
These First People were stewards of the water highway west.
Europeans came and renamed the Ottawa River… who…. would have guessed!
The fur trade ended…. tree harvesting began;
Kichi Sibi conveyed the logs to mills… from… hinter – lands.
[verse 3]——————————————————
Then dams were built fracturing the Great river’s run;
Migrating sturgeon and eels…their habitat… came undone.
At Chaudiere Falls the boiling…. kettle was broken;
It was ringed by a dam for Bytown……no sacred rites…. were spoken.
[verse 4]—————————————————-
Further upstream Chalk River wastes went into the water;
A meltdown at Rolphton was avoided……just….. by heroics of Jimmy Carter.
Up and down urban effluents and fecal counts rising;
The summer’s hot, unsafe swimming…., not too….. surprising!
[ BRIDGE ]==========================
Can we stop exploiting and become lovers please?
Surely we can learn…. to know…. the river and begin to appease?
[CHORUS ALTERED WORDS]============
But listen to the river, new voices heard now,
They raft, surf and paddle when the waters allow.
Algonquin river values beginning to flower;
Chief Commando’s bridged us together…we can now….. feel….. his…. Power
[verse 6]——————————————————
Kichi Sibi trail bring us back now.. even in winter.
Beach reborn at Westboro… more river access in the future.
A Riverkeeper house to swim and get in the know.
Awareness is dawning ….we are learning…. Now… to go with…. the flow.
[MELODY & CHORDS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM: wismerdonald31@gmail.com ]