An Okotoks-born musician is brewing up a musical collaboration for charity in time for the holidays.
Vocalist and songwriter Ellen Doty will again be giving back through music, coffee, and ice cream with her fourth annual Holiday Give Back campaign, this year teaming up with Nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) musician Wyatt C. Louis based in Moh'kinstsís Treaty 7 Territory (Calgary).
This year the funds raised will benefit the Mustard Seed.
Doty spoke of the partnership with Louis, and of finding him through radio and music circles in Calgary.
“I heard some of his music on the radio, on CKUA and CBC and heard some of my friends posting about him,” Doty said. “I checked out his music and I liked it a lot — it’s great to have him on board this year.
“He’s also a big fan of coffee, so that’s a plus too."
At the heart of the fundraiser, the two have blended their talents to create a song titled Mittens.
"It is a holiday song, so you know, talks about the holidays,” Doty said. “But it's also kind of something that's very pertinent right now: it talks about missing people, and missing someone that you'd like to be close to around the holidays.
"I think especially this year a lot of people might feel like that. Hopefully we can all find other ways to stay connected for sure.”
Louis, originally from the Wetaskiwin and Ponoka areas, has expanded his repertoire since moving to Calgary with his fiancée four years ago.
“I've wanted to be on board for doing something a little bit different this year,” said Louis.
"I wanted to think of others.”
Louis spoke about including the things that bring up good memories of loved ones in writing Mittens.
"Maybe some people are alone this Christmas and family with all the travel stuff is going to be a lot different and maybe a little bit lonelier,” said Louis. “We incorporated different textures, the sort of things you’re touching or smelling around this time.
"My grandma has some knitting stuff and we're just kind of painting that picture of following a ball of yarn through the house.
"It was pretty easy to grab inspiration just in my daily life.”
The duo made for a good working relationship.
"I kind of came up with the guitar part and Ellen is just such a prolific writer, she handled painting the picture,” Louis said.
“I knew Ellen's lyricism and writing overall are spectacular and really deep.”
The duo is working with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) on the project.
A special free performance of Mittens will be performed with the CPO during the orchestra’s Holiday Favourites with the Phil concert on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. More information can be found at https://calgaryphil.com/virtual-concerts/#concert_9
"This collab with the CPO is a really great opportunity too — I’m really excited, and just working with Monogram (Coffee Brewing), everything they stand for,” Louis said.
Doty is undaunted by the disconnects caused by COVID-19 and is optimistic.
"Obviously this year looks a little bit different, we're not having the same types of launch events,” Doty said. “But it's still going to be a great way to connect with the community and help folks out that really need it during the holidays.”
The project has Calgary coffee roaster Monogram Coffee on board once again, and craft ice cream shop Made by Marcus will be entering into blend for the second year.
Monogram Coffee will create special roast for the campaign, donating $5 from every bag of coffee to the cause, and Made by Marcus will contribute $2 from every pint of a special flavour of ice cream made with the Monogram blend.
The coffee will be available at Monogram Coffee’s three Calgary locations, from Brown Butter Cafe, or for order worldwide from www.monogramcoffee.com
The ice cream will be available at each of Made by Marcus’ locations in Calgary and Edmonton.
Each sale will come with a free download of Mittens, the song will also be available on streaming platforms such as Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and more starting Dec. 4.
The Holiday Give Back campaign runs Dec. 1 to 31.
"It's just a tough world to navigate these days, and I think this is a good way to end off this year,” said Louis.
