Ottawa's Alicia Kayley, Nicknamed Indigenous Adele, Secures First Bluesfest Performance
Ottawa singer-songwriter Alicia Kayley, often referred to as the Indigenous Adele due to her soaring vocal prowess, has achieved a lifelong dream by landing her first gig at Ottawa Bluesfest this summer. The 26-year-old artist from Orléans describes this opportunity as a life-changing moment that marks a significant milestone in her blossoming music career.
A Musical Heritage and Personal Triumph
Growing up as the daughter of Juno-winning musician and dancer Kevin Chief, also known as Flying Down Thunder, Kayley was immersed in a family comfortable with performing. Whether following the powwow circuit or touring Europe, she developed a deep connection to music from an early age. However, being selected to play at Bluesfest represents a personal high, as she has attended the festival many times as a fan and knows the exhilaration of sharing such moments with thousands of like-minded enthusiasts.
"I'm still absolutely floored," Kayley expressed about the booking. "When I applied, I had no idea if I should even try because I only had one song. It's been doing really well, but it's still pretty new. Then my guitarist encouraged me to give it a shot. So I did, and we got in—it was insane."
Bluesfest Details and Competitive Selection
Kayley is scheduled to perform on July 10, the second day of this year's edition of Bluesfest, which runs from July 9 to 19 on the grounds of the Canadian War Museum at LeBreton Flats Park. The festival features a slate of headliners including Hardy, Limp Bizkit, and Gwen Stefani. She is one of about a dozen Ottawa-area acts booked to round out the programming, selected from more than 800 submissions from independent artists between Toronto and Montreal. In total, approximately 40 unsigned artists from across the Ontario-Quebec region were chosen this year, highlighting the stiff competition.
Musical Influences and Aspirations
Kayley's music leans more towards R&B than country, though her influences are diverse, encompassing everything from pop songs on the radio to years of serious vocal training. A graduate of Canterbury High School's specialized vocal program, she also earned a degree in music at Carleton University. At one point in her education, she felt compelled to stretch her powerful vocal abilities further, emulating singers she heard on the radio.
"I started getting this huge feeling of, like, 'I need to do vocal runs,' and I began falling in love with old-school R&B," she recalled. Reflecting on her nickname, she added, "Adele is so incredible and such a groundbreaking artist. I definitely aspire to be like her."
Future Prospects and Album Release
With her first album set for release this year, Kayley's Bluesfest debut is poised to be a pivotal moment in her career. She looks forward to the experience, noting that one of her favourite festival memories is seeing country star Shania Twain perform with a close friend. "It's the best party," Kayley says. "It's so entertaining, and I love seeing Shania perform—it's always something so different." As she prepares for this life-changing event, Kayley remains focused on her artistic growth and the opportunity to connect with a broader audience through her music.
