Finally meeting someone after you have spoken to them over email or the phone for so long is always an interesting experience. We always seem to have a premonition of what the person will be like. What I actually met Emilie Steele a couple of weeks ago at the Brooks & Bowskill show at The Cove, it was like I was talking to an old friend full of life! What a character and we realize that we have so many connections in the local music community.

We also realize that we have a mutual love for The Sadies and their record Darker Circles. Her band, Emilie Steele & The Deal very much tap into those rootsy, road less travelled areas of folk-rock and roll. She will be performing solo with her acoustic, telling her stories through her songs on Thursday, May 15, 2025 from 5-8 on the patio at The Cove. Details and reservations here: web link

Seamus Cowan: Being a part of this musical community in Kingston is like being part of a family that is growing but has some children leaving and wanting to return home. Do you feel that connection?

Emilie Steele: People and projects come and go but the music community is a constant. Kingston is like an old friend in that way.

Q: I love your sound. Show would you say has taught you the most about being a singer songwriter and who has taught you most about being true to yourself in order to find yourself and true artist?

Emilie: Thanks! I spent my late teens learning Sarah Harmer songs and picking up the foundations. In terms of being true to myself - my community keeps me rooted. I know my work has a seed of truth when the message resonates with others.

Q: Being a part of a band can be exhilarating, familial and rewarding. Can you tell us about how your band came together and how you work in terms of creating and writing?

Emilie: I met Jack at an open mic, Jon at a birthday party and Kiel at a house concert. I really wanted to play in a band and we coalesced. I usually write the songs and we flesh out the arrangements together. Sometimes we create on the fly which makes for great song surprises.

Q: As musicians, we all have influences who are closest to us for personal reasons all our own. If you could work with someone, creatively or just sharing a spot on a tour bus, who would it be and why?

Emilie: I’d like to spend some time around Adrianne Lenker. Her writing, playing, and guitar tunings are something to study. I’m also down to try and write a pop song with Carly Rae Jepsen.

Q: I know have released a couple of records and singles now. You have established a sound that you can now call your own. Where do you see the evolution of The Deal graduating to on the next release and are you thinking about working on something in the near future? Looking forward to your solo show here May.15!

Emilie: We have a great collection of new songs I’m excited about. We will have to wait and see how the recording process unfolds in order to share our direction/evolution. It’s some of our best work and I hope to be back in a studio by the end of the year. Posted: May 7, 2025