ABOUT

She’s a skilled and sought-after collaborator at her core, sharing countless stages and recording credits with some of Canada’s best-known artists since her teens; now, PEI indie pop powerhouse KINLEY has adapted that approach into her solo work – and is delivering the most compelling material of her decorated career as a result.

Daylight, her third full-length release, is something of a masterclass in musical dynamism, drawing obvious influence from past projects but with a newfound energy and earnestness. As for where those fresh components come from, put simply, KINLEY isn’t afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve.

“Songwriting is an important outlet, almost like a form of therapy for me,” she shares candidly. “It really feels like I’m writing in my diary, but it comes with rhymes and melodies. And I guess now, another difference is I don’t care if I don’t come across as the cool kid.”

Admittedly, a global pandemic offered plenty of emotional fodder for the album – especially since, for KINLEY, it was laced with a breakup; a sometimes comical, others tragic dip into the dating scene; and ultimately, a new romance. As such, the spectrum of themes covered is wide and diverse, but what’s more, the same can be said for the soundtrack that anchor it and its list of contributors.

Daylight flows effortlessly from tropically tinged indie pop to affecting folk to driving dance music and much in between. Of course, as a multi-genre multi-instrumentalist, she can capably cover that ground, but KINLEY is at her best when collaborating with others – and she knows it.

“I’ve been super fortunate to be a part of a lot of different projects, and I love reciprocating that and bringing other people into my workflow,” she explains. “I like working with people that I vibe with or that I’m a fan of, and always happy to give them creative control of their parts. I think that makes for the best results.”

While she worked most closely with Paper Lions guitarist and award-winning studio maven Colin Buchanan, Daylight features additional co-productions and co-writes with country music kingmaker Jason Barry, songstress and composer Steph Copeland, East Pointers guitarist Jake Charron; and Juno-nominated genre-bender Maïa Davies.

Evolving and expanding on her heralded 2016 debut Letters Never Sent and its self-titled, statement-making follow-up in 2020, KINLEY’s fresh sounds on Daylight coincide with a fresh approach to her music career.

“I really embrace the title of ‘recording artist.’ I love writing songs and being in the studio, then marrying music and visuals,” she explains. “The live part isn’t as important to me.” As a result, KINLEY is focused more on choreography, content creation, and sync opportunities in movies and media than touring her solo material.

After all, she put in her time as a member of beloved East Coast collective Hey Rosetta!, her later pairing with cousin Liam Corcoran of Two Hours Traffic as The Express, plus stints and studio sessions with the likes of Kathleen Edwards, Fortunate Ones, Rose Cousins, Jenn Grant, Laurent Bourque, Madison Violet, David Myles, and Matt Mays, to name a few.

Since her solo breakout, she’s earned multiple ECMA and Music PEI Awards, had songs propel major ad campaigns, and used her growing popularity and platform to draw international awareness to causes close to her heart – particularly those focused on women’s rights and prosperity, becoming a community leader and revered public voice in the process.

“Advocacy is a big and important part of my life,” says KINLEY. “I’m someone that can speak out. I’m my own boss, and if I can use my music or words to amplify a message and be a voice for someone that needs it, then I feel like I have to.”

She got to this point lending her touch to dozens of landmark albums and performances with other artists, but in 2016, KINLEY took a microphone all to herself. Now, she has a growing faction of followers eager to hear any music or message she might send through its capsule, and Daylight does right by them all.

AWARDS
2023 Music PEI Pop Recording of the Year for “Daylight”.
2022 Music PEI Awards: Community Contributor of the Year, Electronic Recording of the Year for “Run With You (Lee Rosevere Remix)”.
2021 Music PEI Awards: Digital Achievement Award, Video of the Year Award for “Run with You”.
2020 Music PEI Award: Digital Achievement of the Year.
2019 First International Womens’ Freedom Song Contest - 1st place for “Washington”.
2018 ECMA Awards: Rising Star Recording of the Year (“Letters Never Sent”), Fans’ Choice Video of the Year for “Microphone”.
2017 Music PEI Awards: Female Solo Recording of the Year, New Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

NOMINATIONS
2024 ECMA Awards: Songwriter of the Year and Pop Recording of the Year.
2024 Music PEI Awards: Album of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Single of the Year.
2023 Music PEI Awards: SOCAN Songwriter of the Year and Live Event of the Year for “Open Mic with KINLEY”.
2022 ECMA Awards: Dance Recording of the Year for “Run With You (Lee Rosevere Remix)”.
2021 ECMA Awards: Pop Recording of the Year Award for the “KINLEY” album.
2020 Music PEI Awards: Song of the Year for “Lightworkers”.
2019 ECMA Awards: Video of the Year and Fan’s Choice Video of the Year for “Golden Days”.
2018 ECMA Awards: Pop Recording of the Year and Song of the Year for “Microphone”.
2017 Music PEI Awards: Album of the Year, Pop Recording of the Year and Video of the Year with Lonely Kid for “Blackbird 2.0”.