mLe

mLe is the performance name of Emily Spiller, a singer and songwriter from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. She grows up in a family of artists, and her early musical influences include Elvis Presley, Joni Mitchell, Harry Nilsson and Tchaikovsky. As a child, she sings in choirs and plays saxophone and clarinet at school, then develops a strong interest in jazz through artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker and Charlie Parker.

Early career in Vancouver

Spiller moves to Vancouver in 1997, where she starts writing songs, singing and performing with local bands. She also works with a vocal coach, attends a performing workshop, takes guitar lessons and sings at open mic nights. In 2003, she adopts the name mLe and forms a band under that name.

Performances and collaborations

The band performs at a range of Vancouver venues, including the Centre for Performing Arts, the Railway Club, Ginger 62, the Backstage Lounge, the Buffalo Room and the Media Club. At the Centre for Performing Arts, the group reaches the semi-final stage of CBC's Great Canadian Music Dream, a competition broadcast across Canada. After that, Spiller receives a contract to sing overseas and spends three months in China performing with Crush Band, then another three months in Australia with the touring band Landslide.

Recording and later work

After returning to Vancouver in January 2004, Spiller works on her debut album with producer and collaborator Rob Lulic of Rymes With Orange. Her style is described through roots, jazz, blues and soul influences, and she also provides studio vocals for other artists. She performs internationally with DJ Shawn Ward.