Jayne Kelli

Jayne Kelli

Michigan born singer/songwriter Jayne Kelli released her album, Wake, this year, unveiling a personal collection of transformation and romantic strife. This rising song writing powerhouse has haunting and powerful vocals to match, delivering emotive performances that are quickly gaining attention. Kelli has been based in the Tampa Bay area for the last few years mixed with tours up to the mid-west, Italy, and England. She was selected as one of the 2011 favourites on the WMNF Florida folk show by host Pete Gallagher. Though some of her music, as reviewed by El Paso music critic, Doug Pullen, has been described as "very organic, soulful folk-rock with prosaic lyrics", Kelli bends genres into the alternative dark-pop zone in some of her new material. A new album is in its infancy stage, but Wake is still going for the hard push in 2012.

Interview with Jayne Kelli

Question: How would you describe your music?

Jayne Kelli: My music wants to tap into several genres....from americana folk to alternative pop.


Question: How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?

Jayne Kelli: It's an amazing feeling to know your music is being heard and connected to by others. That's the mission!


Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Jayne Kelli: The music industry is constantly changing. There are people out there searching and hungry for quality art and I want to find them...with or without the machine!


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Jayne Kelli: I've been a songwriter all my life. When I was 15, they started to make sense. I'm at the mercy of when something wants to be created...it's not a sit down and force it to happen type of process. I let the words and music flow at the same time.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Jayne Kelli: For the past few years, I have barely listened to any music on my own free time. When I write heavily, I prefer not to. There was a time a few years ago where Radiohead was all I listened to. I do have to say I've been turned on to Simon and Garfunkel and absolutely love it!


Question: What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Jayne Kelli: I'm doing some touring now, with my duo partner, AJ Swearingen (he has written a song for Tom Rush). We just formed Swearingen and Kelli (www.swearingenandkelli.com), which is a fusion of both of our music. Right now it is a bare-bones acoustic representation of our sound. We had the pleasure of opening two shows for Crystal Gayle at the end of June. I'm also in the studio slowly working on the next cd after "Wake". There is so much material for me to catch up on and release.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Jayne Kelli: Ha! The little saying goes..."if you don't feel like quitting you're not aiming high enough." You have to stay true to yourself and to your art, and keep forging ahead.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Jayne Kelli: I need both of them. I love to help produce and achieve that moody sound behind the scenes, but I need that performance outlet. Sharing that energy in real time is what I love.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Jayne Kelli: The music industry can be a scary place, but the love of creating music...knowing that is what I was created to do, is what inspires me to continue this path. It's all I can do.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Jayne Kelli: Since the landscape of music has changed to DIY in many areas, you have to wear several hats these days. You're not just a creator and performer, you help your management team, you help promote, you help produce. There are only so many hours in a day.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Jayne Kelli: I spend the early afternoon at a coffee shop on my computer promoting, emailing, booking, etc. I'll then try to squeeze in a nice work out, get ready and proceed to one of my gigs.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Jayne Kelli: I know just how amazing it is to get to do what you love. Following a dream and finding that thing you feel you are supposed to do here on earth is an awesome responsibility.


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

Jayne Kelli: www.jaynekellimusic.com
www.swearingenandkelli.com (duo)
www.facebook.com/jaynekellimusic


Question: Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?

Jayne Kelli: I'm still working on having a healthy and enjoyable life. It's not always easy achieving the ideal "balanced" life, but the following things have helped me through.
1. Living spiritually connected
2. Eating wholesome foods (I'm Gluten Intolerant and forced to eat pretty healthy now).
3. Being a blessing to someone else when you feel depleted.
4. Making time to rest and visit friends.
5. Doing some form of exercise from yoga to running.


Question: What message would you like to say to your fans?

Jayne Kelli: I hope that any lessons I've learned the hard way and have written about helps someone through their own circumstances and feelings.