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SUPERGOODMUSIC - Singer/Songwriter Robert Kelly in L.A. this Week
(View Original Here) While Andrew W.K. gets rowdy with like-minded partyers at Echoplex and The Lonely Wild treats westsiders to their Americana at The Central SAPC, Nashville’s Robert Kelly will be pleasing fans and recruiting new ones around 11 pm tonight at The Hotel Café.
If Tuesdays are tough, or the notice isn’t enough, Kelly does it again on the 12th at On The Rox at 8:45 and on the 14th at 3Clubs at 11:45. Kelly’s recently released debut full length, We Are Poetry, appeared at #15 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts. And rightfully so - the album was produced by Thomas Doeve, the same man responsible for production on Andrew Belle’s The Ladder, and Doeve captures Kelly well in his arrangements. Although singer/songwriters often elude my i-pod playlist, Kelly’s energy and sincerity invite the casual listener in. Kelly’s guitar and the accompanying instrumentation on the 10 track offering complement Kelly’s voice and lyrics well to create a solid album. While not pushing boundaries anywhere they haven’t been, We Are Poetry delivers. Robert Kelly will be in Los Angeles until May 22nd. You can check out more and listen to his music at http://www.myspace.com/robertkelly Music City Unsigned - Review of We Are Poetry Just a few short weeks ago, Robert Kelly became one of the newest additions to the Music City Unsigned family. His energetic yet pensive outlook on life are ever present in his debut album, We Are Poetry, which dropped on March 29th. It’s a vibrant mix of heart-felt pop songs that display his youthful writing style and greater understanding of how the human heart works.
The wonderful thing about Kelly’s music is the way he is able to do so much while still remaining quite simple in his approach. Most of the songs on the album are lead by an acoustic guitar and his vocals, with well orchestrated instrumentation coming in and out amongst the ten tracks. The title track, We Are Poetry, along with All This Time and Sing are fun, upbeat ditties reflective of those carefree days of summer vacation. Wild, Breathe It In and Standing Still (which features gorgeous backing vocals by Jillian Edwards) all take a more melodic and thoughtful approach, expressing hopefulness, memories, and questioning. The true highlights of the album though, are the two final tracks, Running Faster and Pages. Both are a beautiful swell of emotions that close the album leaving you breathless. Overall, Kelly’s introspective songwriting tells a tale of hope that everyone can take to heart. Be sure to check out the album, available on iTunes now. The Deli - Review of We Are Poetry
(View Original Here) Robert Kelly should be the next member of the Nashville music collective, Ten out of Tenn. If that doesn't happen, the guy needs to get his mits on a publishing deal, because every song on his brand new, debut album, "We Are Poetry," reminds me of something I've heard on MTV. The album was produced by Thomas Doeve--the same producer of Andrew Belle's album, "The Ladder,"--and his lush arrangements can certainly be heard on Kelly's material as well. There is a delightful balance in the heaviness of the wash of sound that is present on most of the tracks, while the lilting bells, acoustic guitar, and background vocals complement the rest of the instrumentation well. Just from a listening standpoint, this album is gorgeous.
Kelly's positive approach, genuine lyrics, and upbeat energy make each song uplifting in a way that few can achieve without coming across as insincere, cliche, or--well, just plain annoying. Hearing "We Are Poetry" for the first time made it pretty difficult to not become somewhat envious of Robert Kelly's outlook on life. You know, kind of like listening to a Jack Johnson album with a breeze blowin' through your hair and a cold beer in your hands. Ah.... paradise. (That, and the acoustic-guitar driven-ness of Kelly's music--those are the only comparisons that should be drawn between he and Jack Johnson). It's also especially refreshing to hear an album where the subject matter is more about lettin' the good times roll than just focusing on heartbreak or unrequited love. With 10 tracks of equal quality and depth, it's safe to say that this is a genuinely well-thought-out, well-produced, all-around well-done album. To see these songs performed live, be sure to go to The Basement on March 25th at 7 pm for Robert Kelly's CD Release Party. Also performing will be My Second Other. Cover is $8, which includes a cd, and it is a 21+ show. No funny business.--Erin Manning "I try to write about things that are real to me, and I think if that’s true, it’ll be real to lots of people."
Nowadays, If you’re a musician, it’s easy to become buried by all of the other artists around you. You have to work hard to have your music heard and for your talent to be showcased to it’s full potential. Living in Nashville, TN, Robert Kelly is surrounded by amazing performers. Artists such as Katie Herzig, Matthew Perryman Jones, and Griffin House, all call Nashville home and that’s just to name a few of them. One would wonder how to get your foot in the door in the great music capital. With the help of close friends, Robert Kelly is being noticed as the next big thing to breakout in the music world. With his debut album, “We Are Poetry” being released in just a few days, Robert is gearing up for the ride of his life. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know him and realizing that he’s not just another skilled musician, but he also has an endearing charm paired with honesty. His music has come just in time for the summer and the flowers won’t be the only thing blooming this season.
Q. At what age did you realize you wanted to be a musician and make this your career? A. I didn’t go to church very often until I heard about this cool “youth group” thing when I started 7th grade. I went, and there was a band, with a couple of people singing, and I thought, “That! I want to do that!” Soon after, I decided I wanted to be just like LeAnn Rimes. Luckily, that didn’t happen. Wouldn’t it be cool if the answer to this question was way more exciting and involved a glorious vision in a dream or my life flashing before my eyes? Q. What things in your life inspire you to write? A. I just really want to be honest. I try to write about things that are real to me, and I think if that’s true, it’ll be real to lots of people. I’ve been in love and I’ve thought I had everything figured out, and then I’ve watched both of those things crumble to pieces. I think we all have. Q. You’re on the brink of releasing a new album, “We Are Poetry” March 29th. What can your fans expect to hear from this album? A. I’m so excited for everybody to hear the album. I think people will hear old and new friends making fun, pop music together. I had the pleasure of making a new friend, producer Thomas Doeve. He made Andrew Belle’s latest record, The Ladder, and it was so exciting to see his swirly, moody pop tendencies collide with my more straightforward, sunshine-y approach to my music. Q. Who are some of the artists that inspire you to become a better musician? A. The best part of this question is that a lot of them are friends. I’ve had the honor of being encouraged/challenged/befriended by Matt Wertz, Andrew Belle, and Steve Moakler. All three of them have been huge in getting where I am today. I am a huge fan, also, of Brett Dennen, Phoenix, and The Avett Bros. Every time I listen to their records, I have to go sit in my room and make my own. Q. If you could choose a favorite lyric, from one of your songs or someone else’s, what would it be? A. The first lyric that comes to mind is from Adele’s song, “Don’t You Remember.” She says “I know I have a fickle heart, and a bitterness, and a wandering eye, and a heaviness in my head.” It’s beautiful how she makes our humanity look so beautiful. It’s just REAL, you know? Q. What is one thing you hope to accomplish in the next year? A. I want to go drive around and play lots of shows in lots of places. Especially if it involves me going near the new Harry Potter place in Orlando. I bet that’s the coolest thing ever. Q. What is the most meaningful song you’ve ever written? A. I don’t always write directly from my life experiences, but one time I was sitting on my bed, writing, and suddenly I was thrown back into a very volatile place from my past. The song just told a story of a time I was very much in love and it ended when I didn’t want it to. I kept trying to get it back, but it was gone. The song is called “Pages” and it’s the last track from the new album. NOTE: It turns out that I’m very happy that it ended, and that sometimes, things just turn out right. Q. There are a ton of singing competitions, one of the most popular being American Idol. Would you ever consider trying out for something like that? A. I don’t think I’d ever do that, but you never know! It’s easy to develop a reputation really quickly when you’re on TV in front of millions of people, and what if it’s not really you? That’s scary to me. Q. If you could co-write a song with anyone, alive or passed on, who would it be? A. I think I would choose Frodo Baggins. He’s an adventurer, and I bet he has a lot to say, and maybe he can even rhyme! Plus, it would just be really fun to hang out with him. I may or may not be watching Fellowship of the Ring as we speak. Q. If you were stranded on an island for the rest of your life and could only bring one of your songs to listen to, which one would it be and why? A. Whoa! Well, I traveled by myself to the Middle East last year, and I brought a little backpacker guitar with me. I’d probably try to convince whoever was forcing me to live on the island alone for the rest of time to have a heart and let me bring that instead of just one song! I really like the title track from the new record, We Are Poetry, though. It’s so happy, and I really like being happy. Plus, I bet it’s important to keep a positive attitude when stranded on an island. The End. |
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robert@robertkellymusic.com | site designed by RedMetYellow.com
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