BioGRAPHY
A four times WAM Song of The Year nominee and fresh from Nannup Festival 2023, Kelea presents her brand new commandingly powerful vocal electro-pop show with brand new tracks “I’m Gonna Give You Everything” (nominated for 2023 WAM Song of the Year: Electronic) , “Don’t Bother” and “Eyes Up Here” together with refreshing dance remixes of previously releases, including those from her recently released EP “Of Sound Mind”. Originally from Gingin WA, Kelea was featured on WAM’s Demos from the Wheatbelt, was subsequently featured in Songs for Social Change (US) and in Forbes (US), made Top 100 on The Voice Australia 2019 and performs regularly as an entertainer aboard Captain Cook Cruises.
Background:
Kelea has both degrees in Law & Commerce from the UWA, studied Jazz Vocals at WAAPA, Aural at the Victorian College of the Arts and Songwriting studies at NMIT. Kelea has performed all over Australia in various genres and formats for over twenty years. She is also an Arts Worker for DADAA Limited specialising in music for special needs.
Kelea is a member of APRA, PPCA, AMRAP, Women of Music Production Perth, WAM, the Australian Songwriters Association, I Heart Songwriting Club and the Beaufort Street Songwriters Club. She enjoys radio play across Australia including 94.5fm (commercial radio), Triple M Wheatbelt, Voice of the Avon, RRRfm in Melbourne and has performed live on ABC Regional and RTRFM (Perth).
“"Kelea's EP Of Sound Mind is proof positive of her stylistic bravery, with the diversity of sounds and genres united by her beautiful voice. From the ethereal Aqua And Blue, which captures shades of both Enya and Kate Bush while ululating on a sonic ocean swell, to the driving indie pop of Galaxy, very much an anthem for female and LGBTQI rights. The brooding Look Myself In The Eye continues the thematic emphasis of self-empowerment in a complex modern age, while Start Again is an easier, breezier listen, but absolutely entrancing nonetheless...The IT Guy, meanwhile, a tongue in cheek song about having a crush on the guy down at the IT Store, is a pop tune that lies somewhere between the new wave brilliance of Sparks and the intellectual quirks of Australian singer, Kate Miller-Heidke".” - Bob Gordon
— 2022
“You probably wouldn’t think the topic of age discrimination by employers would make much of a song. Well, sit back, relax and watch the poignant video of “Dear Sir/Madam” from Australian singer/songwriter Kelea. Get some tissues first. I was tipped off to the song by a Facebook post about it from anti-ageism activist..Ashton Applewhite. Then, I was so moved after watching the video, I needed to learn the backstory. So, I rang up Kelea — her real name - Kelly Gardner - in Perth and heard out.” - Richard Eisenberg (US)
“It’s a beautiful and and heartfelt song for the rejected masses that uses slide guitar motif and minor key changes to channel the feeling of dejection. Held together by Kelea’s crystal clear voice, this should be a successful application for a long career in music” - Andrew Thompson (WA)
— Around the Sound 7 November 2019