Folk Artist Kris Kelly Releases Music Video for Acoustic Version of 'Cracked Porcelain'
New York Singer/songwriter Kris Kelly is bringing a whole new flair and style for folk music to the world. As a classically trained vocalist and composer Kris Kelly utilizes everything in his musical arsenal to tap into emotion and bring story to life. From life experiences of travel, love and personal growth, Kelly used moments of self discovery to craft moving and powerful music you won't soon forget.
With the release of his recent acoustic version of his single 'Cracked Porcelain' and his self-produced album "Runaways" about to be released (August 29th), now is the perfect time to dive in and discover more about the world of Kris Kelly.
Hi Kris, thanks for talking with us. As a singer songwriter you have a really varied and rich background. For those who are unfamiliar with your music, how did you get started? Was there elements in your life that ignited the passion?
I come from a very musical family and grew up surrounded by music. I started performing locally at a very young age in Austin, Texas. I then moved to NYC to attend NYU, where I originally studied classical vocal performance, but ended up changing my major to music composition. So singing, songwriting, and performing have always been a part of my life, I don’t really know anything different.
With the release of his recent acoustic version of his single 'Cracked Porcelain' and his self-produced album "Runaways" about to be released (August 29th), now is the perfect time to dive in and discover more about the world of Kris Kelly.
Hi Kris, thanks for talking with us. As a singer songwriter you have a really varied and rich background. For those who are unfamiliar with your music, how did you get started? Was there elements in your life that ignited the passion?
I come from a very musical family and grew up surrounded by music. I started performing locally at a very young age in Austin, Texas. I then moved to NYC to attend NYU, where I originally studied classical vocal performance, but ended up changing my major to music composition. So singing, songwriting, and performing have always been a part of my life, I don’t really know anything different.
You've spent some time in the past travelling through South America. How did those travels influence your writing?
My upcoming album “Runaways” was written almost entirely while I was in South America. I had just my guitar and a suitcase for almost 6 years. I’d originally planned to travel there for 6 months, but I ended up meeting my now husband and had to choose between staying with him and going back to the US. Gay marriage was illegal at the time in the US because of DOMA and I couldn’t bring my husband back to the States. When I was eventually able to move back to the US, I went through all the songs I’d written and chose the ones that best represented my journey for the album. It was definitely an intense time of my life, and a lot of it was very difficult for many reasons. But it was also a period of necessary growth. I was really forced to face myself and a lot of things I had been running away from for years.
You're also trained classically and are a multi-instrumentalist. How has your training impacted your music and challenged you as an artist?
I think more than anything my classical training exposed my ear to different sounds, styles, instruments, and a world of possibilities. In music school, just being surrounded by people who were doing their own thing creatively was really inspiring, and that atmosphere really encouraged me to value expressing myself in my own unique way. When I write songs, however, I do everything by ear … most of the time I don’t even know what key my songs are in. In a way, I learned the theory just to forget it. It definitely comes in handy though when I need to write out parts.
My upcoming album “Runaways” was written almost entirely while I was in South America. I had just my guitar and a suitcase for almost 6 years. I’d originally planned to travel there for 6 months, but I ended up meeting my now husband and had to choose between staying with him and going back to the US. Gay marriage was illegal at the time in the US because of DOMA and I couldn’t bring my husband back to the States. When I was eventually able to move back to the US, I went through all the songs I’d written and chose the ones that best represented my journey for the album. It was definitely an intense time of my life, and a lot of it was very difficult for many reasons. But it was also a period of necessary growth. I was really forced to face myself and a lot of things I had been running away from for years.
You're also trained classically and are a multi-instrumentalist. How has your training impacted your music and challenged you as an artist?
I think more than anything my classical training exposed my ear to different sounds, styles, instruments, and a world of possibilities. In music school, just being surrounded by people who were doing their own thing creatively was really inspiring, and that atmosphere really encouraged me to value expressing myself in my own unique way. When I write songs, however, I do everything by ear … most of the time I don’t even know what key my songs are in. In a way, I learned the theory just to forget it. It definitely comes in handy though when I need to write out parts.
You recently released your single 'Cracked Porcelain'. What is that song about for you?
The song is about a relationship falling apart due to lack of communication and honesty. I was saying for a while that it was about an open relationship gone wrong … but really it wasn’t the fact that it was ‘open’ that caused the problems. It was because we didn’t take care of each other and communicate openly and honestly. I do think some people have found ways to make open relationships work. I haven’t personally met these people hehe … but I’m sure someone has figured it out. I think in order to make it work, you’d have to be emotionally mature and in a good place with yourself. It’s so difficult to have a healthy relationship with someone else if you are still trying to fill a deep void within yourself through external means: through alcohol, drugs, anonymous sex, or even through codependency within a relationship.
You're releasing the acoustic video for 'Cracked Porcelain'. It's a stripped back version focused directly on you as the artist and concentrating on the heart of the song which for me is the lyrics, the guitar and your voice, which has this incredible ability to sound atmospheric and evokes a lot of emotion in the listener. Why did you choose to go with a different version than the single and what was your vision going into the video process?
Well, the album version of the song has a lot of layers and intricate arrangements, which I love, but I wanted to do an acoustic performance video of the song to show how the song started out. My relationship with the songs is really on that level: me singing with the guitar. The album versions are definitely collaborations. Amazing collaborations I wouldn’t trade for anything, but I wanted to give a peek at what the song meant to me for so many years. Also, the vocal melody plays with the acoustic guitar in a certain way that you can’t really hear on the album version, and I wanted to show that.
'Cracked Porcelain' is the final single from your forthcoming album ‘Runaways’ which comes out August 29th. What can listeners expect from the album? Is there a common theme that runs throughout it?
Listeners can expect an intense journey, both musically and lyrically. My songs are pretty dense and often uncomfortably personal, so it’s a lot. It’s not really for casual listening. I didn’t write any of these songs imagining when or how they would be released, they were really meant just for me, to help process my own thoughts and feelings. But I think that level of honesty is important, because hopefully people will relate to them. We’re all kind of dealing with the same things at the core, as humans living on this planet right now.
As for a common theme, I titled the album ‘Runaways’ because each song relates in a way to running away from or avoiding something. Running away from home and routine, running away from the uncomfortable intimacy of love, running away from childhood trauma, running away from facing yourself, from your own shadow.
The song is about a relationship falling apart due to lack of communication and honesty. I was saying for a while that it was about an open relationship gone wrong … but really it wasn’t the fact that it was ‘open’ that caused the problems. It was because we didn’t take care of each other and communicate openly and honestly. I do think some people have found ways to make open relationships work. I haven’t personally met these people hehe … but I’m sure someone has figured it out. I think in order to make it work, you’d have to be emotionally mature and in a good place with yourself. It’s so difficult to have a healthy relationship with someone else if you are still trying to fill a deep void within yourself through external means: through alcohol, drugs, anonymous sex, or even through codependency within a relationship.
You're releasing the acoustic video for 'Cracked Porcelain'. It's a stripped back version focused directly on you as the artist and concentrating on the heart of the song which for me is the lyrics, the guitar and your voice, which has this incredible ability to sound atmospheric and evokes a lot of emotion in the listener. Why did you choose to go with a different version than the single and what was your vision going into the video process?
Well, the album version of the song has a lot of layers and intricate arrangements, which I love, but I wanted to do an acoustic performance video of the song to show how the song started out. My relationship with the songs is really on that level: me singing with the guitar. The album versions are definitely collaborations. Amazing collaborations I wouldn’t trade for anything, but I wanted to give a peek at what the song meant to me for so many years. Also, the vocal melody plays with the acoustic guitar in a certain way that you can’t really hear on the album version, and I wanted to show that.
'Cracked Porcelain' is the final single from your forthcoming album ‘Runaways’ which comes out August 29th. What can listeners expect from the album? Is there a common theme that runs throughout it?
Listeners can expect an intense journey, both musically and lyrically. My songs are pretty dense and often uncomfortably personal, so it’s a lot. It’s not really for casual listening. I didn’t write any of these songs imagining when or how they would be released, they were really meant just for me, to help process my own thoughts and feelings. But I think that level of honesty is important, because hopefully people will relate to them. We’re all kind of dealing with the same things at the core, as humans living on this planet right now.
As for a common theme, I titled the album ‘Runaways’ because each song relates in a way to running away from or avoiding something. Running away from home and routine, running away from the uncomfortable intimacy of love, running away from childhood trauma, running away from facing yourself, from your own shadow.
Being someone who is part of the LGBTQ community, how has that affected your work and life as an artist?
I think living life as a gay man has given me a thick skin. I’m secure in my right to express myself how I want, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Those in the LGBTQ community often learn from a very young age that being honest with yourself is more valuable than pleasing everyone else, and that makes you strong.
Right now there are more out LGBTQ artists than ever. Is there anyone you're listening to that has grabbed your attention?
I’m in love with Adrianne Lenker. Her songs are really magical, I can’t get enough of her!
Who are the artists you think would make great collaborators with you and your music? Who would you want to work with?
I’m very curious to collaborate with talented musicians from around the world, from different musical traditions, to push me out of my comfort zone. I have an idea to travel with my guitar, writing songs in different countries like Ireland, Egypt, India, Brazil, etc. to name a few. And to record with amazing local musicians there. That would really be a dream.
So what's coming next? Will you be touring ‘Runaways’?
The album is going to be released on August 29th and I’ll be releasing 2 more music videos, one for a song called “More” and the other for “I Hope It’s Not Too Late”. I’ll then be doing some special record release shows with a large ensemble in a few select cities, and then hopefully a tour with a smaller ensemble.
On a more personal level how are you balancing the demands of music with life?
It’s difficult. I still work a day job and do music in my spare time, which can be very demanding. I’m also having to constantly remind myself why I’m doing music and what my goals are, because things can get really confusing in this business, and so many people have different and often very strong opinions, and artists can easily lose their way.
I think living life as a gay man has given me a thick skin. I’m secure in my right to express myself how I want, regardless of what anyone else thinks. Those in the LGBTQ community often learn from a very young age that being honest with yourself is more valuable than pleasing everyone else, and that makes you strong.
Right now there are more out LGBTQ artists than ever. Is there anyone you're listening to that has grabbed your attention?
I’m in love with Adrianne Lenker. Her songs are really magical, I can’t get enough of her!
Who are the artists you think would make great collaborators with you and your music? Who would you want to work with?
I’m very curious to collaborate with talented musicians from around the world, from different musical traditions, to push me out of my comfort zone. I have an idea to travel with my guitar, writing songs in different countries like Ireland, Egypt, India, Brazil, etc. to name a few. And to record with amazing local musicians there. That would really be a dream.
So what's coming next? Will you be touring ‘Runaways’?
The album is going to be released on August 29th and I’ll be releasing 2 more music videos, one for a song called “More” and the other for “I Hope It’s Not Too Late”. I’ll then be doing some special record release shows with a large ensemble in a few select cities, and then hopefully a tour with a smaller ensemble.
On a more personal level how are you balancing the demands of music with life?
It’s difficult. I still work a day job and do music in my spare time, which can be very demanding. I’m also having to constantly remind myself why I’m doing music and what my goals are, because things can get really confusing in this business, and so many people have different and often very strong opinions, and artists can easily lose their way.
Ok, now for a couple fun questions we like to call Q Quickies
Favorite ’90s jam?
“What’s Up?” by the 4 Non Blondes. That’s always my go-to karaoke jam.
If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, and all your human needs (food and water etc.) are taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?
Definitely my guitar … and the next thing that comes to mind is mosquito repellent, they really love me. I sure hope that doesn’t happen.
In a box of crayons what colour are you?
Purple for sure.
What was the last gift you gave someone?
I have a dog I love so much named Beni and whenever I walk by a pet store, I buy him a little something.
If you were home on a rainy Sunday afternoon, what movie would you most want to watch?
I always really loved “The Phantom Tollbooth”.
Kris Kelly's album "Runaways" arrives on all platforms on August 29, 2019.
Favorite ’90s jam?
“What’s Up?” by the 4 Non Blondes. That’s always my go-to karaoke jam.
If you had to be shipwrecked on a deserted island, and all your human needs (food and water etc.) are taken care of, what two items would you want to have with you?
Definitely my guitar … and the next thing that comes to mind is mosquito repellent, they really love me. I sure hope that doesn’t happen.
In a box of crayons what colour are you?
Purple for sure.
What was the last gift you gave someone?
I have a dog I love so much named Beni and whenever I walk by a pet store, I buy him a little something.
If you were home on a rainy Sunday afternoon, what movie would you most want to watch?
I always really loved “The Phantom Tollbooth”.
Kris Kelly's album "Runaways" arrives on all platforms on August 29, 2019.
