Who am I and what do I want?
My name is 0Stella [Oh, Stella] and I'm based in Edmonton, Alberta. As an independent musician, I'm committed to using my platform to promote sustainability and make a positive impact on the world. The zero in my name stands for my dedication to living a zero-waste lifestyle. It also represents the point where the X and Y axes intersect on a graph, which signifies that we are all equal and interconnected.
 | In 2021, I remotely recorded an album, Pendulum State, which was inspired by my own addiction recovery journey and my family member's addiction relapse. It was a lifeline for both of us during a difficult time. I couldn't be there in person, but I made a promise to write a song every day for them in exchange for a daily phone call to let me know they were safe. |  | Later that year, I was accepted to an artist residency in France. I decided to challenge the traditional modes of album touring. I wanted to make the trip in the most sustainable way possible. So, I decided to limit myself to a single transatlantic flight and cycle across Canada and Europe to get there. Unfortunately, the residency fell through due to the pandemic and other transportation issues. But I still had a record to |
promote, my own two legs and a desire to make a difference. As a lifelong cycling enthusiast, the choice was obvious.
On Earth Day 2022, I embarked on an epic cycling tour across Canada to promote Freefall, the first mini album from Pendulum State. I carried all of my gear, including my guitar, tent and solar panel, on a rig that weighed 192 lbs and cycled 5,400 km over the course of 5.5 months. I played 60 house concerts, pop-up shows, museums, schools, and marinas along the way. It was a challenging journey, full of injuries, wildlife encounters, technical difficulties, and other unexpected obstacles. But the kindness, generosity, and laughter I found across the country rekindled my faith in humanity, which had been dulled by the challenges of the past two years.
 |  |  |
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This year, I'm back on the road to promote Skyward, the sister mini-album to Freefall, and it's even more exciting than ever. Despite setbacks earlier this year like a concussion, early arthritis in my injured knee, and a broken promise, I'm more determined than ever to share my music and message of hope. What a way to celebrate a birthday that will ring in a new decade! I'll be cycling from Victoria to Calgary before flying to Paris in July. Once there, I'll take some time to rest and gather stories from last year's journey. And that's not all, I'll use these stories to inspire new songs for my next album, Time Under Tension. From there, it's on to Scotland and Ireland...
Music has the power to heal, connect, and inspire. And cycling is an
exciting way to bring that message to people all over the world. Don't
miss out on this unforgettable experience that combines music,
adventure, and sustainability. Join me on my journey, and together
we'll make a difference that will last for generations to come!
Rewards:
- Digital bundles of music and music videos
- Digital Bonus pack full of demos, album artwork, lyrics, a thank you note and instrumental tracks (so you can be the 0Stella karaoke champion!)
- Your name on the record
- Voice or guitar lesson
- Custom-written songs
- VIP tickets to select shows across Canada and Europe
- Q&A workshops = Ask me anything about music, cycling, sustainability...
- A tree planted in your name, or you can name it what you want!
- Personal dedication performances for you or a friend
- Exclusive virtual 0Stella solo shows
Why I Need Your Help:
When I started out last year, I had just $500 to my name. Despite the challenges the world faced, I leapt into the unknown and launched myself headfirst into my dream. And now, as I prepare to embark on the next chapter of this exciting adventure, I know that anything is possible.
Yes, this year, I am starting with $0, but that won't hold me back. I am determined to overcome every obstacle that comes my way, and I'm counting on your support to help me get there.
By participating in this Crowdfundr, you'll help me to:
- Repair Charlie, my trusty bike
- Upgrade my cameras to capture even more breathtaking footage (a drone and Insta 360)
- Fly to France to write the new record and perform
- Health insurance/emergency funds to ensure my safety
- And it will even allow me to pay my dedicated team based in Montreal and Calgary, who worked tirelessly with me last year to bring my vision to life
- Hire a video editor - I can only achieve so much in 6 hours one day a week!
As I cycle along and perform shows, I know that challenges will arise - unexpected costs, illnesses, and injuries. After I reviewed the footage from last year, I'm actually more scared to start than I was last year! But I'm determined to push through and keep going, no matter what.
So let's embark on this journey together. Let's face challenges head-on, celebrate our victories, and capture every incredible moment. With your support, I know we'll realise this dream.
How supporters are heroes
I survived last summer because of generous souls like you. The insanity of what I was taking on was clearly reflected back to me in the faces of everyone I met, yet with so much help, I made it.
I am reaching out to you again because I need your help once more. This tour is not just about promoting music; it's about connecting with people like you and breaking down barriers based on our differences. It's about demonstrating that the world we live in is full of beauty and wonder that is worth protecting.
With your support, I will be able to visit even more schools and communities to share my message of sustainability, perseverance, and creativity. Your donation, no matter the amount, will have a significant impact on people across the country and around the world. Thank you for being my hero and helping to make a positive difference in the world.
Perks
Maaaaan Charlie is feeling those hills. They are extra rough with such a heavy load. Chances are I'll burn through a gear cable or two, need additional inner tubes thanks to road debris or need a new chain and/or crank. After about 5000 km I'll need new tires again.
Just so everyone knows how important you are to this record, your name will be immortalised on the album artwork, you lucky bee.
Plus you'll have everything from the previous tiers to show off as well.
I'll be camping and staying with wonderful hosts along the way but sometimes I just need to access wifi to get some work done and not feel rude for not engaging in conversation. That way I can keep up you to date by sharing all the great footage of the trip, so you stay in the passenger seat alongside me! Thank you, thank you for the restful night's sleep.
*THIS DOES NOT ENTITLE THE DONOR TO ACCOMPANY ME
Welcome, you high flyer. VIP Tickets get you bragging rights like no other. You will get to
- Attend the Soundcheck
- A Photo Op with 0Stella & featured on her socials
- Request your favourite 0Stella song in the show that night
- A personal shout-out from 0Stella during the show
*THESE ARE LIMITED TO VANCOUVER, EDMONTON, TORONTO AND DUBLIN AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE ACCORDING TO 0STELLA'S TOURING SCHEDULE.
Plus everything in the previous tiers
Do you know what the earth loves? Worms. Do you know who people love? Bookworms (the cool people, anyway).
In this tier, you will get a virtual 1-hour one to one lesson with 0Stella for Guitar OR Voice. Learn your favourite 0Stella tune or your favourite karaoke song, it's up to you!
Plus you get everything else in the previous tiers *excluding VIP ticket.
- 0 claimed
- 5 remaining
Not content with live shows and audio recordings, YOU love to collect unique and custom pieces. I bet your home and wardrobe are full of fabulous vintage finds too. I will record a video performance of your favourite 0Stella song from the Skyward record, complete with a personalised dedication message that you can keep for yourself or gift to a friend. The curated video will be emailed to you or your friend.
I am so excited about this one and deeply appreciative of your support! Not only might you catch me playing at a music venue in your town, but you can also book me for a solo virtual 30-minute show just for you and your friends. BYOB, BYOF(riends)
This show is entirely curated by you.
- You build the setlist of 0Stella songs
- You select a cover song for me to play
Have a custom song written by 0Stella for you or a loved one. Include as much detail as you want on the Song Prompt Form. A follow-up Q+A with 0Stella to get to the root of your story may be required. You will receive an .mp3 of your song written and produced by 0Stella.
...Plus everything from the previous tiers
My fellow steward, I can't thank you enough for your kind donation. To commemorate your generosity and to continue to care for our beautiful planet, I will plant a tree in your name upon my return to Alberta. You will have the privilege of naming your tree and I will send you photos of its growing and flowering/fruiting progress if applicable.
*this tree will be planted in the spring of 2024
Plus you get everything else in the previous tiers, so let's start talking about your custom song!
Book your own 0Stella workshop for personal enjoyment or to share with your school or workplace. The 0Stella Workshop topics may include your choice of:
- Songwriting and Life As An Indie Musician
- Sustainability
- Long-Distance Bike Touring and Storytelling
- Q&A of my Bike Touring Adventures
So grab your friends and some cans and I'll regale you for a couple of hours. I might even play you some songs.
All this is yours plus everything from the previous tiers, so let's chat about that custom song I'm writing for you too.
*In-person locations are limited to Alberta (travel fee may apply).
*Workshops outside Alberta default to virtual unless in-person requested. Schedule availability and travel fees apply.
Highlights
See all activity642022 Stories
TOUR FACTS
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Cycled solo from Vancouver to Halifax
-
Covered 5,391km
-
5.5 months
-
No support car
-
A modified Bob trailer carried the guitar
-
Played 60 shows
-
6 punctures
-
1 set of tires - bike (2 tires, trailer 1 tire)
-
Covered more than 450km some weeks
-
4 Wolves
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4 Snakes
-
3 Bears
-
1 Moose
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1 Cougar
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Multiple angry farm dogs
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1 Can of drink was thrown at my head out a car window (it missed)
Hope
& Hearts
Hope
& Hearts
I left Chilliwack on a beautiful sunny morning. Big giant blue skies unfurled in front of me capping vast farmland, fenced in by mountains on the east side. These mountains looked big but were mere samplings of what was to come. I stopped to photograph an eagle in its nest atop a leafless dead tree; an austere outpost for easily spotting fresh spring prey in the fields below. I pushed onwards and got caught behind a slow-moving Ford Ranger that pulled into an acreage. The air really stank around there. Ten minutes later as I was passing the sign to Rosedale, the same Ford Ranger overtook me and I read the sign on its side: Turd Wrangler "We step in .... so you don't have to". I giggled.
Moments later I saw a sandwich board with "COFFEE" scrolled on it in chalk. Enough said. To be clear I hadn't yet left the greater Chilliwack area but it looked like great coffee would be found on account of the antique tandem bicycle perched outside the window. As I rolled my heavy contraption along the side of the building I was greeted by the shop owner, a friendly Quebec woman who had a million questions for me about what I was doing and did I feel safe as a woman travelling by myself and all the questions I would come to anticipate and rattle off answers to like a fatigued Lady Gaga at a press conference (yes, life is tough).
The conversation came around to her. At a young age, she was diagnosed with a heart condition and was put on heart medications and given a pacemaker. A number of years ago, her body suddenly started filling with fluid until her entire torso was bloated and full; almost as if she was suddenly pregnant but all the way up to her collarbone. The doctor's news was not good. The pacemaker was toast and so was her heart. "You've had a good inning, but unless we can find a new heart..."
Meanwhile, a mother was looking on as her 23-year-old son, Aurther, lay braindead, hooked to a respirator following an accident. She knew her son's wish was to donate his organs. She notified the staff and his heart was shipped over in the nick of time.
As semi-tonne trucks and their squealing breaks attempted to pass through the intersection we stood next to, about as subtly as a heard of screaming goats, the shop owner pulled her phone from her pocket and dug through her gallery. From the road, a micro tornado of dust whipped between us as she handed the phone to me. The first photo was of herself in a green hospital nightgown, pre-operation, rotund and pale. The next showed her sitting happily in her gown holding her old heart, blackened and worn out. The third was a comparison of her old heart next to a generic healthy heart. The healthy one looked like a fine chicken breast, pale and lean. Hers was 50% larger, dark, and encased in thick plaque and its arteries were frayed like old twine. It had given all it had to her. She still refers to her and her new heart as "Me and Aurther", placing both hands over her heart.
Granted a new lease on life, she packed up her family, moved from Quebec to British Columbia and opened a company called Life's Sweet Distribution that specialises in Quebec maple syrup and related products. She said she got a second shot at life and life truly is sweet. She was thrilled that I was undertaking such a monumental adventure and using my body to its full capacity since it was healthy and functioning. She beckoned for me to come back inside as she scurried into the back room and returned with her a white tub-her personal stash of the darkest maple syrup I'd ever seen. She poured me a share and assured me it would get me up over the legendary hill out of Hope. I gratefully packed it into my pannier next to my half-finished bag of maple mini doughnuts, taking care to keep it upright lest I drench all of my belongings in maple syrup and become as enticing to all bears in the area as an ice cream truck on a hot summer's day.
| I thanked her and set off on my way, full of coffee and decadent doughnuts. I'd been advised by many people to take the scenic route to Hope by crossing the bridge into Agassiz. As I crept up to the narrow bridge spanning a very wide and fast-flowing Fraser River, I read a sign on the bridge wall: Absolutely NO Stopping. Well ok, no problem. My feet felt comfortable working inside shoes that were clipped to my pedals. Throughout my entire life of cycling which included long cycling tours in Ireland and Argentina, I had never used cleats and had always prided myself on my ability to keep up with the fastest-moving pelotons, my ego often swelling ever bigger any time someone released I didn't use them. A third of the way across the bridge, a massive wind swell raged across the bridge and almost flung me straight under a semi-truck that was passing me by had I not unclipped my left leg at the last second. Remembering the warning of the sign and trying to swallow my heart back down from my throat, I elected to push myself along at an agonisingly slow creep using my unclipped left leg as propulsion. I wasn't stopping so the traffic couldn't get mad. |
The next day I played a show at Baker's Books and got the obligatory selfie next to the Rambo statue (Rambo was filmed in Hope). As I was eating lunch, perched on a monument in Hope Square, I basked in the spring sun while the breeze reminded me of the snow in the mountains I was scheduled to arrive at later that day. Just then a British couple walking towards me called out in soft, lilting accents, "Cross Canada?! Are you cycling across Canada?!", pointing to the sign on my trailer. As we chatted, Keith and his wife Lisa revealed that they were on a return trip to Canada following the greatest holiday ordeal I've ever heard of.
 | In 2018, Keith and Lisa decided they wanted to cycle across Canada. As they were crossing the Fraser River from Rosedale to Agassiz, Keith suddenly toppled over into the middle of the road. Traffic screeched to a stop while Keith was whipped off to the hospital and Lisa was left standing helpless in the middle of the bridge with two bikes, all their belongings and half a planet away from home, convinced her husband had just passed away. A man jumped out of his truck and invited her to stay with his family in Hope while she figured out a plan. Keith had an undiagnosed heart condition that should have taken his life that day. He made a full recovery and they returned in a camper van to complete their proposed trip and celebrate his birthday. They invited me to stay for a night with them and Sue's family who had taken Lisa in, while Keith was in the hospital. Enticed by birthday cake, campfires and deep-fried turkey (which I had never had), I changed my plans from camping in a snow-covered field to providing musical entertainment for their birthday party. In the end, the change of plans allowed me to attend the Hope Festival the next day and even perform Linen and Fisherman's Blues with Appaloosa Band pictured below. I highly recommend trying a deep-fried turkey any time you get the chance! |
I finished my lunch as the sun covered the interlock bricks with dappled springtime light and the breeze moved through a red dress hanging in a tree next to me. Red Dress Day was the day before. As I was setting up my guitar case to perform, an indigenous woman in a wheelchair came up to me, driven by her loyal husband. She offered me some dried salmon and I gleefully accepted. I packed it away in my pannier for dinner later, noting the combination of dark maple syrup AND dried salmon would be a winning combination for befriending ravenous bears. The two stuck around to listen to me play and between songs we chatted. The woman asked me if I felt safe travelling as a woman. We spoke about the importance of listening to your gut which she credited with keeping her safe all these years. One day she drove from Hope all the way to the Yukon in one go to save her three children and bring them home. She did the first drive in a straight shot, grabbed her kids, and returned the next day. I struggled to wrap my head around a driving task of that magnitude.
| We shared beers as friends of theirs came and formed a crowd while strangers dipped in and out. As the day wore on and the sun began to dip behind the mountains that encircled the town like mothers gazing upon their safe-kept children in their laps, I came to my final song, Empty. In the second verse, the wind caught one of our empty beer cans so I jogged after it and soccered it back to our group with my feet while continuing to play the song. I sat on the monument between the wife and husband. The sun now behind the woman, I caught sight of a single tear slowly falling down her cheek. She started singing along to my melody, replacing my lyrics with phrases "my babies" and "don't take my babies", her voice growing ever more passionate and pained. She looked at me as I yielded my story to hers and held her gaze, strumming the rest of the song. All I wanted to do was reach out and hold her but I knew finishing the song would offer her more. I gave her a big hug after as she continued to weep. |  |
At that moment I gave up every expectation I had of my tour. This was it. I'd contemplated my true purpose so many times on paper and felt deep connections with people at my shows but this was, unlike anything I had ever experienced. The tour could have been cancelled the next day and I would have gone home happy and full.
Songs and Show Dates
29th April - The Rooster, Edmonton AB Kick-off Show - Buy Tickets
7th May - Private House Concert, Victoria, BC - Get Tickets
(RSVP to the event to get the address)
11th May - The Roxy, Vancouver, BC - Buy Tickets
24th May - The Copper Pit, Princeton, BC
26th May - The Grist Mill, Keremeos, BC
28th May - Runaways, Kelowna, BC
10th June - Tailout Brewing, Castlegar, BC
16th June - Green Hills Hotel, Blairmore, AB
17th June - Green Hills Hotel, Blairmore, AB
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0bVMju8PegGpTB78LezTNr?si=EUpjWZ_1ThCkRhTEBg-eTQ
Music Video: Glitter On The Dancefloor
Music Video: Wide Awake
Music Video: Fire
Don't use Spotify? No problem! Find me on:
Apple Music
Etc.
Bandcamp:
https://0stella.bandcamp.com/album/freefall
Activity
Maaaaan Charlie is feeling those hills. They are extra rough with such a heavy load. Chances are I'll burn through a gear cable or two, need additional inner tubes thanks to road debris or need a new chain and/or crank. After about 5000 km I'll need new tires again.
Just so everyone knows how important you are to this record, your name will be immortalised on the album artwork, you lucky bee.
Plus you'll have everything from the previous tiers to show off as well.
I'll be camping and staying with wonderful hosts along the way but sometimes I just need to access wifi to get some work done and not feel rude for not engaging in conversation. That way I can keep up you to date by sharing all the great footage of the trip, so you stay in the passenger seat alongside me! Thank you, thank you for the restful night's sleep.
*THIS DOES NOT ENTITLE THE DONOR TO ACCOMPANY ME
Welcome, you high flyer. VIP Tickets get you bragging rights like no other. You will get to
- Attend the Soundcheck
- A Photo Op with 0Stella & featured on her socials
- Request your favourite 0Stella song in the show that night
- A personal shout-out from 0Stella during the show
*THESE ARE LIMITED TO VANCOUVER, EDMONTON, TORONTO AND DUBLIN AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE ACCORDING TO 0STELLA'S TOURING SCHEDULE.
Plus everything in the previous tiers
Do you know what the earth loves? Worms. Do you know who people love? Bookworms (the cool people, anyway).
In this tier, you will get a virtual 1-hour one to one lesson with 0Stella for Guitar OR Voice. Learn your favourite 0Stella tune or your favourite karaoke song, it's up to you!
Plus you get everything else in the previous tiers *excluding VIP ticket.
- 0 claimed
- 5 remaining
Not content with live shows and audio recordings, YOU love to collect unique and custom pieces. I bet your home and wardrobe are full of fabulous vintage finds too. I will record a video performance of your favourite 0Stella song from the Skyward record, complete with a personalised dedication message that you can keep for yourself or gift to a friend. The curated video will be emailed to you or your friend.
I am so excited about this one and deeply appreciative of your support! Not only might you catch me playing at a music venue in your town, but you can also book me for a solo virtual 30-minute show just for you and your friends. BYOB, BYOF(riends)
This show is entirely curated by you.
- You build the setlist of 0Stella songs
- You select a cover song for me to play
Have a custom song written by 0Stella for you or a loved one. Include as much detail as you want on the Song Prompt Form. A follow-up Q+A with 0Stella to get to the root of your story may be required. You will receive an .mp3 of your song written and produced by 0Stella.
...Plus everything from the previous tiers
My fellow steward, I can't thank you enough for your kind donation. To commemorate your generosity and to continue to care for our beautiful planet, I will plant a tree in your name upon my return to Alberta. You will have the privilege of naming your tree and I will send you photos of its growing and flowering/fruiting progress if applicable.
*this tree will be planted in the spring of 2024
Plus you get everything else in the previous tiers, so let's start talking about your custom song!
Book your own 0Stella workshop for personal enjoyment or to share with your school or workplace. The 0Stella Workshop topics may include your choice of:
- Songwriting and Life As An Indie Musician
- Sustainability
- Long-Distance Bike Touring and Storytelling
- Q&A of my Bike Touring Adventures
So grab your friends and some cans and I'll regale you for a couple of hours. I might even play you some songs.
All this is yours plus everything from the previous tiers, so let's chat about that custom song I'm writing for you too.
*In-person locations are limited to Alberta (travel fee may apply).
*Workshops outside Alberta default to virtual unless in-person requested. Schedule availability and travel fees apply.
