Melissa McClelland
Encyclopedia
Melissa McClelland is an American-born Canadian singer-songwriter
who lived in Hamilton, Ontario
, in her youth and now bases her career from Toronto
. McClelland's music is influenced by blues and americana. A writer on CMJ's staff blog wrote that McClelland has "a persona reminiscent of a female Tom Waits."
, Illinois
. She spent her youth in Burlington, Ontario before developing her career in Toronto
. McClelland married Luke Doucet
on June 24, 2006; the two have played together on numerous stages, including at the 2006 Calgary Folk Music Festival
. He has produced three of her records, Stranded in Suburbia, Thumbelina's One Night Stand and Victoria Day.
In 2006 McClelland opened for Matthew Good
's solo acoustic tour across Canada. During the tour the two singers closed Matthew Good's set with a duet performance of the Nine Inch Nails
song "Hurt".
She also works with Sarah McLachlan
, providing backing vocals at her live shows. McLachlan makes a guest appearance on the song "Go Down Matthew" from McClelland's album Thumbelina's One Night Stand.
"Skyway Bridge" (off of Thumbelina's One Night Stand) features Greg Keelor
from Blue Rodeo
. Additionally, McClelland is the only guest artist on Blue Rodeo's 2008 live album, "Blue Road
".
In 2007 McClelland opened a tour with Jesse Cook
and sang on his recording of "It Ain't Me Babe" (a Bob Dylan cover) which was released on his 2007 album Frontiers
. "It Ain't Me Babe" was released as a single from that album, which spent 3 weeks in the top position on Billboard's world music charts.
Also in 2007, McClelland's "Passenger 24" won in The 6th Annual Independent Music Awards
for Best Americana Song.
McClelland's song "Rooftop" was featured on the 2005 soundtrack
CD of the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation
. The song was played on the ending montage of the 2004 episode "Time Stands Still Pt. 2", in which a main character, Jimmy Brooks (Aubrey Graham
) was shot by a bullied student, Rick Murray (Ephraim Ellis
). She also performed the theme song for the children's reality show This Is Daniel Cook
. In 2008, she contributed to the soundtrack of the film One Week
.
on Orange Record Label
. In the same year, her side-band Ladybird Sideshow
released a live album entitled Ladybird Sideshow Live at the Orange Lounge
'.'
was released in 2006. Reviews drew attention to the eclectic nature of the album. Exclaim! Magazine described the album as "impossible to pin down stylistically, as it segues from roots-y rock ("Passenger 24") to country ("Taxi Ride") to chamber pop ("Solitary Life") to folk (a cover of Randy Newman's "Dayton Ohio") and blues ("Go Down Matthew")."
Victoria Day has a vintage 1950s sound, combining dixieland with "high lonesome twang". "Seasoned Lovers", from Victoria Day, features vocals from Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith
.
released an self-titled album under the moniker "Whitehorse" on Six Shooter Records. It included reworked versions of McClelland's hit Passenger 24 and Doucet's hit Broken and was recorded at the Catherine North studio in Hamilton, Ontario, Sarah McLachlan's house in Vancouver, British Columbia and a studio located at McLelland's and Doucet's house.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
who lived in Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, in her youth and now bases her career from Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. McClelland's music is influenced by blues and americana. A writer on CMJ's staff blog wrote that McClelland has "a persona reminiscent of a female Tom Waits."
Biography
Melissa McClelland was born in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. She spent her youth in Burlington, Ontario before developing her career in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. McClelland married Luke Doucet
Luke Doucet
Luke Doucet is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He writes and performs both as a solo artist and as a member of the indie rock band Veal....
on June 24, 2006; the two have played together on numerous stages, including at the 2006 Calgary Folk Music Festival
Calgary Folk Music Festival
The Calgary Folk Music Festival is held in late July each year at Prince's Island Park, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. While known for attracting both established and up-and-coming folk music, the festival features a wide variety of artists including hip-hop, alternative, blues, and world acts...
. He has produced three of her records, Stranded in Suburbia, Thumbelina's One Night Stand and Victoria Day.
In 2006 McClelland opened for Matthew Good
Matthew Good
Matthew Frederick Robert Good is a Canadian rock musician. He was the lead singer for the Matthew Good Band, one of Canada's most successful alternative rock bands in the 1990s, before dissolving the band in 2002...
's solo acoustic tour across Canada. During the tour the two singers closed Matthew Good's set with a duet performance of the Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
song "Hurt".
She also works with Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan
Sarah Ann McLachlan, OC, OBC is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, as of 2006, she has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four...
, providing backing vocals at her live shows. McLachlan makes a guest appearance on the song "Go Down Matthew" from McClelland's album Thumbelina's One Night Stand.
"Skyway Bridge" (off of Thumbelina's One Night Stand) features Greg Keelor
Greg Keelor
Greg Keelor is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician. He is best known as a member of the band Blue Rodeo, where he shares song writing and vocal duties with Jim Cuddy. Keelor has also released three solo albums and appeared as a guest musician on albums by Crash Vegas and Melissa McClelland...
from Blue Rodeo
Blue Rodeo
Blue Rodeo is a Canadian pop and country rock band, which was formed in 1984 in Toronto, Ontario. They have been signed with Warner Music Group since their debut album Outskirts in March 1987...
. Additionally, McClelland is the only guest artist on Blue Rodeo's 2008 live album, "Blue Road
Blue Road
Blue Road is a live album by Canadian country rock group Blue Rodeo. It was released by Warner Music Canada on October 28, 2008.-Track listing:#"5 Days In May" – 9:04#"Crying Over You" – 4:22#"Rebel" – 3:36#"Blue House" – 3:15#"3 Hours Away" – 3:53...
".
In 2007 McClelland opened a tour with Jesse Cook
Jesse Cook
Jesse Cook is a Toronto-based guitarist, born in Paris to Canadian parents. Like other guitarists of his style of music, he incorporates funky jazz, latin & world music into his playing. Cook is also well known for the energy of his live shows. He has contributed to the Afro Celt Sound System album...
and sang on his recording of "It Ain't Me Babe" (a Bob Dylan cover) which was released on his 2007 album Frontiers
Frontiers (Jesse Cook album)
Frontiers is the sixth album by Jesse Cook. According to Cook's official web page, inspiration for the album came from a "temporary move with his wife to Seville, Spain" and the birth of his first child, Lucas Cook . Cook and nine other musicians recorded the album at Coach House Music in Canada....
. "It Ain't Me Babe" was released as a single from that album, which spent 3 weeks in the top position on Billboard's world music charts.
Also in 2007, McClelland's "Passenger 24" won in The 6th Annual Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
for Best Americana Song.
McClelland's song "Rooftop" was featured on the 2005 soundtrack
Songs from Degrassi: The Next Generation
This is a list of Degrassi soundtracks.-The N Soundtrack:Released following the fifth season, in 2006, The N Soundtrack contains songs from Degrassi: The Next Generation, including the first recording by Degrassi actor turned rapper Drake, and other shows airing on The N and CTV.-Music from...
CD of the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
. The song was played on the ending montage of the 2004 episode "Time Stands Still Pt. 2", in which a main character, Jimmy Brooks (Aubrey Graham
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
) was shot by a bullied student, Rick Murray (Ephraim Ellis
Ephraim Ellis
Ephraim Todd Ellis is a Canadian actor. He is known for playing Rick Murray in the television show Degrassi: The Next Generation...
). She also performed the theme song for the children's reality show This Is Daniel Cook
This is Daniel Cook
This is Daniel Cook is a children's television series created by J.J. Johnson and Blair Powers and produced by Toronto's marblemedia and Sinking Ship Productions in association with Treehouse TV and TVO, and is shown in Canada on Treehouse TV, TVOkids, Access, Knowledge Network, and SCN...
. In 2008, she contributed to the soundtrack of the film One Week
One Week (2008 film)
One Week is a 2008 Canadian film directed by Michael McGowan and starring Joshua Jackson, Liane Balaban, and Campbell Scott. The film debuted at the Toronto Film Festival on September 8, 2008 and was released theatrically on March 6, 2009....
.
Discography
- 2001: Melissa McClellandMelissa McClelland (album)Melissa McClelland is Melissa McClelland's first album. The album was released in 2001 in Canada by Daddy Warbucks Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Melissa McClelland except as noted#"Past Lives" – 2:20#"It Comes and Goes" – 3:03...
(Daddy Warbucks Records/independent) - 20 April 2004: Stranded in SuburbiaStranded in SuburbiaStranded in Suburbia is the title of Melissa McClelland's second album. The album was released in 2004 in Canada by the Orange Record Label.- Track listing :#"Good as Gold" #"White Lies " #"Pretty Blue"...
(OrangeOrange Record LabelOrange Record Label is a Canadian independent record label, located in Toronto, Ontario. Orange recordings are distributed in Canada by Universal Music Canada, which is also a minority stakeholder in the label....
/Universal) - 23 May 2006: Thumbelina's One Night StandThumbelina's One Night StandThumbelina's One Night Stand is the title of Melissa McClelland's third album. The album was released in 2006 in Canada by the Orange Record Label.-Performers:*Melissa McClelland: vocals, backup vocals, guitars...
(Orange/Universal) - 14 April 2009: Victoria DayVictoria Day (album)Victoria Day is the title of Melissa McClelland's fourth album. The album was released in 2009 in Canada by Six Shooter Records.-Performers:*Melissa McClelland: vocals, backup vocals, acoustic guitar, piano on "Segovia"...
(Six Shooter Records) - 30 August 2011: WhitehorseWhitehorse (album)Whitehorse is the self-titled album from Whitehorse, a band consisting of Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet. The album was released on August 30, 2011 in Canada by Six Shooter Records...
(Six Shooter Records)
Stranded in Suburbia
In 2004 McClelland released Stranded in SuburbiaStranded in Suburbia
Stranded in Suburbia is the title of Melissa McClelland's second album. The album was released in 2004 in Canada by the Orange Record Label.- Track listing :#"Good as Gold" #"White Lies " #"Pretty Blue"...
on Orange Record Label
Orange Record Label
Orange Record Label is a Canadian independent record label, located in Toronto, Ontario. Orange recordings are distributed in Canada by Universal Music Canada, which is also a minority stakeholder in the label....
. In the same year, her side-band Ladybird Sideshow
Ladybird Sideshow
Ladybird Sideshow is a Canadian pop band. Members include Melissa McClelland, Janine Stoll, Erin Smith and Lisa Winn.-External links:*****...
released a live album entitled Ladybird Sideshow Live at the Orange Lounge
Ladybird Sideshow Live at the Orange Lounge
Ladybird Sideshow Live at the Orange Lounge is a live album of the Ladybird Sideshow. The album was recorded at the Orange Lounge in Toronto on September 25th & 26th, 2004 in front of a live audience.-Track listing:#"What of These Things"...
'.'
Thumbelina's One Night Stand
McClelland's followup album, Thumbelina's One Night StandThumbelina's One Night Stand
Thumbelina's One Night Stand is the title of Melissa McClelland's third album. The album was released in 2006 in Canada by the Orange Record Label.-Performers:*Melissa McClelland: vocals, backup vocals, guitars...
was released in 2006. Reviews drew attention to the eclectic nature of the album. Exclaim! Magazine described the album as "impossible to pin down stylistically, as it segues from roots-y rock ("Passenger 24") to country ("Taxi Ride") to chamber pop ("Solitary Life") to folk (a cover of Randy Newman's "Dayton Ohio") and blues ("Go Down Matthew")."
Victoria Day
In late 2008 Melissa McClelland began work on Victoria Day, her fourth album, and first for Six Shooter Records. Victoria Day was scheduled for release on April 14, 2009. The album was recorded at Canterbury Music by Jeremy Darby, and was produced by Luke Doucet.Victoria Day has a vintage 1950s sound, combining dixieland with "high lonesome twang". "Seasoned Lovers", from Victoria Day, features vocals from Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith
Ron Sexsmith
Ronald Eldon "Ron" Sexsmith is a Canadian singer-songwriter from St. Catharines, Ontario, currently based in Toronto. He started his own band when he was fourteen years old, and released the first recordings of his own material seven years later, in 1985...
.
Whitehorse
In 2011 McClelland and her husband Luke DoucetLuke Doucet
Luke Doucet is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He writes and performs both as a solo artist and as a member of the indie rock band Veal....
released an self-titled album under the moniker "Whitehorse" on Six Shooter Records. It included reworked versions of McClelland's hit Passenger 24 and Doucet's hit Broken and was recorded at the Catherine North studio in Hamilton, Ontario, Sarah McLachlan's house in Vancouver, British Columbia and a studio located at McLelland's and Doucet's house.
Collaborations
- 2004: Outlaws (Live & Unreleased) by Luke DoucetLuke DoucetLuke Doucet is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He writes and performs both as a solo artist and as a member of the indie rock band Veal....
(Providing vocals on "Gun St. Girl") - 2004: Ladybird Sideshow Live at the Orange LoungeLadybird Sideshow Live at the Orange LoungeLadybird Sideshow Live at the Orange Lounge is a live album of the Ladybird Sideshow. The album was recorded at the Orange Lounge in Toronto on September 25th & 26th, 2004 in front of a live audience.-Track listing:#"What of These Things"...
by Ladybird SideshowLadybird SideshowLadybird Sideshow is a Canadian pop band. Members include Melissa McClelland, Janine Stoll, Erin Smith and Lisa Winn.-External links:*****... - 2006: Do You Hear What I Hear? (Providing vocals on "O Holy Night")
- 2007: This is Daniel Cook - We Are Here!This is Daniel CookThis is Daniel Cook is a children's television series created by J.J. Johnson and Blair Powers and produced by Toronto's marblemedia and Sinking Ship Productions in association with Treehouse TV and TVO, and is shown in Canada on Treehouse TV, TVOkids, Access, Knowledge Network, and SCN...
(Providing vocals on "This Is Daniel Cook Theme Song") - 2007: Frontiers by Jesse CookJesse CookJesse Cook is a Toronto-based guitarist, born in Paris to Canadian parents. Like other guitarists of his style of music, he incorporates funky jazz, latin & world music into his playing. Cook is also well known for the energy of his live shows. He has contributed to the Afro Celt Sound System album...
(Providing vocals on "It Ain't Me Babe") - 2007: Borrowed Tunes II: A Tribute to Neil YoungBorrowed Tunes II: A Tribute to Neil YoungBorrowed Tunes II is a tribute album to Neil Young, released October 16, 2007. The album features a variety of Canadian musicians covering songs written by Neil Young. All proceeds from album sales will benefit two not-for-profit organizations selected by Neil Young: The Bridge School and...
(Providing vocals on "Cinnamon Girl") - 2008: Blood’s Too Rich by Luke Doucet and the White FalconLuke DoucetLuke Doucet is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He writes and performs both as a solo artist and as a member of the indie rock band Veal....
- 2008: Blue Road (Live at Massey Hall)Blue RoadBlue Road is a live album by Canadian country rock group Blue Rodeo. It was released by Warner Music Canada on October 28, 2008.-Track listing:#"5 Days In May" – 9:04#"Crying Over You" – 4:22#"Rebel" – 3:36#"Blue House" – 3:15#"3 Hours Away" – 3:53...
by Blue RodeoBlue RodeoBlue Rodeo is a Canadian pop and country rock band, which was formed in 1984 in Toronto, Ontario. They have been signed with Warner Music Group since their debut album Outskirts in March 1987...
(Providing vocals on "Know Where You Go" and "Tell Me Your Dream") - 2008: One WeekOne Week (2008 film)One Week is a 2008 Canadian film directed by Michael McGowan and starring Joshua Jackson, Liane Balaban, and Campbell Scott. The film debuted at the Toronto Film Festival on September 8, 2008 and was released theatrically on March 6, 2009....
Soundtrack (Providing vocals on "Un Canadien Errant") - 2010: First of the Last to Know by Peter KatzPeter Katz (musician)Peter Katz is a Canadian singer/songwriter and a recipient of the CBC Galaxie Rising Star award.Peter Katz has released two studio LPs in conjunction with Curve Music, and has collaborated Glen Hansard...
(Providing vocals on "Let Me Know") - 2010: Steel City TrawlerSteel City TrawlerSteel City Trawler is the fifth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Luke Doucet, released August 31, 2010 on Six Shooter Records. The album was named as a longlisted nominee for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize.-Track listing:...
by Luke Doucet and the White FalconLuke DoucetLuke Doucet is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He writes and performs both as a solo artist and as a member of the indie rock band Veal....
DVDs
- 2007: Pedal to Steel
- 2007: Jesse Cook: One Night at the MetropolisJesse CookJesse Cook is a Toronto-based guitarist, born in Paris to Canadian parents. Like other guitarists of his style of music, he incorporates funky jazz, latin & world music into his playing. Cook is also well known for the energy of his live shows. He has contributed to the Afro Celt Sound System album...
(Special Guest Appearance) - 2008: Blue Road (Live at Massey Hall Bootleg)Blue RoadBlue Road is a live album by Canadian country rock group Blue Rodeo. It was released by Warner Music Canada on October 28, 2008.-Track listing:#"5 Days In May" – 9:04#"Crying Over You" – 4:22#"Rebel" – 3:36#"Blue House" – 3:15#"3 Hours Away" – 3:53...
by Blue RodeoBlue RodeoBlue Rodeo is a Canadian pop and country rock band, which was formed in 1984 in Toronto, Ontario. They have been signed with Warner Music Group since their debut album Outskirts in March 1987...
(Providing vocals on "Know Where You Go" and "Tell Me Your Dream")