SXSW 2012

Montreal singer-songwriter Ian Kelly started singing in cover bands at age thirteen. It wasn’t long before he learned to play guitar and started to create his own musical world. “When you don’t have cash for new CD’s, might as well make your own music; there is no better way to listen to something you’re going to love. It’s like cooking, if you don’t like green peppers, don’t put any in what your making”. Ian’s first outing Insecurity(2005), was completely DIY. He wrote, played and recorded everything on his own. A copy of it ended up in the hands of a television show A&R who invited Ian to do his first TV appearance. Ian delivered such a solid performance that Audiogram's president Michel Bélanger decided to sign him onto his label, one of the top indie labels in Canada. Ian Kelly's second album Speak your mind (2008) is certified gold for 40 000 units sold in Canada. In support of that release, Ian played more than 150 concerts domestically and abroad, including in France, Belgium, USA and UK. The album is to be released in GSA in May 2012 on Panmundial (Groove Attack/Rough Trade). Ian’s third album, Diamonds & Plastic, was released in Canada in May 2011. It debuted at #8 in Canada and #3 in Quebec, behind only Lady Gaga and Adele. He has a tour of more than 35 dates set for 2011-2012 including festivals in Canada, Belgium and France.