Episode 94 - Melissa Oliveri

Melissa Oliveri is a multi-disciplinary artist who came to Minneapolis, MN from Montreal, Canada in 2006, bringing with her an eclectic mix of both French- and English- Canadian cultures.

A born creator, Melissa has been writing stories, drawing, and playing music since childhood. Her most recent endeavour is a podcast called The Skylark Bell, which she writes, records, narrates, hosts, and produces. A large part of the podcast is the original music that accompanies most episodes, all which is composed, performed, and recorded by Melissa under her stage name Cannelle, the French word for cinnamon, which was partly inspired by the colour of her hair.

Melissa’s diverse musical influences range from Alternative music like Pixies and PJ Harvey, to French artists like France Gall, Serge Gainsbourg, and Jean Leloup, and women songwriters like Regina Spektor, Imogen Heap, Tori Amos, and Amanda Palmer.

Having experienced an important loss as a child and lived through the grief that ensued, her art often tug on the heartstrings, but she can also write about everyday life situations from a humorous angle. Whether playing a silly song about her favourite snacks, dreaming about living among palm trees, or softly singing an ode to a departed loved one, her songs and stories will make you feel exactly what she wants you to feel.