‘It gives me purpose, gives me drive’
Kellie Loder earns ECMA nominations, has new album
“I’m taking my time, to really look back on how far I’ve come, even when I lost the track.”
Kellie Loder’s captivating voice sang these lyrics in a sneak peek video posted on social media in November.
“You’ve already won if you know who you are. You fly on the planes, take the trains and you drive the strange cars, but the truth is always in view, doesn’t matter where you start, doesn’t matter what you’ve done, you’ve already won.”
The Badger native who lives in St. John’s has come quite a way over the years, and this year has been nominated once again for two East Coast Music Awards (EMCAs): Fan’s Choice Entertainer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. They will be performing at the ECMA awards show for the first time.
“It feels great every time,” Loder says of the nominations. “I always want to remain grateful for any recognition I get.”
Loder thinks back to the first time they were on the radio back in 2010.
“My pop, my brother, my mom and I were in my brother’s room all gathered around a laptop listening to my song and interview on the radio.”
It’s still appreciated.
“I just want to give a shoutout to anyone who played me on the radio because I still am grateful,” Loder says.
Loder’s dad, Bob Loder, says Kellie has always been musically inclined and had rhythm.
“Ever since we can remember,” he says, adding in church growing up Kellie would be tapping pencils on the seats.
At 19, when Kellie started recording an album, Bob realized just how talented Kellie is.
“Some of the songs are very deep. It’s captivating. I’m very, very, very proud.”
He says Kellie has come a long way and is a fabulous selfmade marketer.
“A lot of people don’t realize but it’s a lot of work that goes into music,” he says. “It wasn’t easy.”
In January, Kellie announced on social media they sang the last note on the new album which they worked on with Cory Tetford and Daniel Adams.
“It’s about time since I put something new out and I’m really excited to share it,” Kellie told Saltwire Network, adding they are hoping a new single will come out soon.
“Music is my life. I wake up and I think about my career, and I go to bed and I think about my career. A lot of people will say that’s unhealthy, but it gives me purpose, gives me drive, gives me a goal to always look forward to reaching.” Until recently Kellie was self-managed. Seeing the growth has been amazing for Kellie and the band who has been with them since the beginning.
“I remember playing to a table of my friends at Second Cup,” Kellie says, adding they would notice posters on the bulletin board of people doing shows at Holy Theatre. “I had this full circle moment. The last time I did a show at Holy Heart I put up my own poster in Second Cup for my show, and I was starting at the corner where I used to play and I thought ‘wow, you did it.’”
After Second Cup the venues continued to grow and, in November 2019, booked the LSPU Hall (Resource Centre for the Arts).
Tickets went up at noon and the next morning a friend let them know they were sold out.
They booked a second night and almost sold out that one as well.
They also did an unforgettable Christmas show at the Arts and Culture Centre with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra in November.
“I’ve never experienced anything like it,” Kellie says. “There’s a 30- to 35-piece orchestra playing your songs with you; songs I wrote at the kitchen table were being played by this huge band in front of a sold-out house at the Arts and Culture Centre. I would love to be able to do that every year as a Christmas show.”
Kellie’s 2019 single “Fearless” received high praise and was chosen as the soundtrack behind CBC’s 2021 Tokyo Olympics coverage as well as the soundtrack behind an IMAX Trailer for Superpower Dogs, narrated by Chris Evans (Captain America/Avengers).
They were named the 2021 Ron Hynes Songwriter of the Year at the Music NL Awards and received a 2021 ECMA win for their ground-breaking music video and song “Molded Like A Monster.” Kellie was also awarded first runner up on the 2022 season of Canada’s Got Talent.
Last month they showcased at the Folk Alliance International Official Showcase in Kansas City, MO, and played the Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island. They have a show set for Ottawa in April and are performing at the ECMA awards in May. For more information, visit http://www.kellieloder.com/, KellieLoderMusic on YouTube or follow them on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.