Celeigh (Kay-lee) Cardinal, a singer-songwriter who just a few months ago was scrambling to book live gigs, was just nominated for eight Edmonton Music Awards.
Her initial reaction was a sense of validation for years of hard work.
“It was overwhelming. I didn’t expect that many nominations. It’s like throwing something in the wind. Sometimes you get something. Sometimes you don’t. But I was so excited, I cried,” Cardinal said.
In estimating her chances, the Métis singer-songwriter said, “I don’t think I’ll get that many. But I’m going. Maybe I’ll get one or two. And it will be nice hanging out with everyone there.”
A former Morinville resident and popular songstress at St. Albert pubs, she writes songs that pull music fans towards her and they keep listening.
In fact, Cardinal makes one of her return visits to the Crown & Tower Pub with Douglas Mitchell on Friday, May 4 for a night of Beatles, Elton John, Paul Simon and Tom Petty – all the heavy hitters.
“When I play a pub gig I don’t usually play my own material, but it depends on the crowd,” said the Edmonton-based musician, who rates the Crown & Tower as one of her favourite pubs.
“I like the vibes. Everyone who works there is really nice and everyone who hangs out sits around and sings along.”
Cardinal has both baffled and enticed her audiences. Her 2017 album release, Everything and Nothing at All, a disparate mix of roots, folk, rock, pop and blues, makes her hard to pigeonhole. But the songs are only 50 per cent of the attraction.
The other is a dynamic stage presence and an earthy-sounding voice that slides easily between strength and vulnerability, gentleness and boisterousness.
All the nine-track's lyrical underpinnings have a confessional style, and each story song carries deep personal meanings about her experiences in life, love and the world around.
A song she holds close to her heart is One Man, ironically one of the least popular with crowds. It was written during a low ebb in her life four years ago after a rough breakup.
“The song made me realize I put all my work into my relationship and it distracted me from the work I wanted to do. I’d picked up some real bad habits, and while I was under the pressure, I reacted to things rather trying to be a whole person,” said the self-confessed workaholic.
While Everything and Nothing at All hasn’t exactly struck gold, it has picked up national momentum. Cardinal has joined the ranks of some of Canada’s prominent singers as a nominee for the 2018 CBC Indigenous Music Awards for Best Pop Album.
Despite the numerous laurels, she’s not wasting time. Just this week she was booking four tours simultaneously, including one to the East Coast.
“From the minute I wake up, I’m on social media. You gotta put yourself out there. It’s a super important aspect of marketing yourself.”
But as an entertainer that understands obscurity as well as fame, Cardinal is aware how important the nominations from CBC and EMA are.
“Being on both ends makes this an eye-opening experience, and I want to be more supportive of women on the road to their success.”
The Cardinal Duo start at 9 p.m. Crown & Tower is at 11 Bellerose Dr.
The Edmonton Music Awards are on June 28 at Winspear Centre. For information visit www.edmontonmusicawards.com.
