Garland Kelley has recently announced the release of his latest single, "The Point of No Return" which addresses climate change and self-destruction. This song is a perfect storm of infectious melodies, energetic rhythms, and one-of-a-kind soundscapes that raises the bar in creating music that connects with listeners on a core level. The lyrics are poignant yet relatable and can easily be contextualized in many of today's most relevant topics. The production is clear and polished while maintaining a human and natural feel. The guitar tone is crisp and well-defined yet nicely aggressive. The bass tone is round and fat and the drums are steady and dynamic, packing a knockout punch. As “The Point of No Return” shows, this artist is committed to making music that matters, giving a voice to his identity, and letting the musicality of his work stand out on its own merits.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Garland Kelley, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. How has the time gone for you since our last interview?
Great! The releases of my last two singles have exceeded expectations and I am so grateful for all of the support. I’m looking forward an exciting year!
How do you balance your time in the studio with other commitments such as a part-time job, family, admin?
I balance everything with planning and good old fashioned hard work. I do my best to go with the flow to allow creative space to flourish. I have found that essentially all processes are more enjoyable and smooth with steady motion and as little resistance as possible. This mindset also creates more space for creative energy. My family is the most important thing in my life so time with them is never work or a burden for me and fuels my creativity and inspiration.
Your latest song is 'The Point of No Return'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
I enjoyed writing and recording this song as the subject matter is very important to me. I knew the subject matter while writing the song but the music and arrangement developed over time. Sometimes, I write complete songs and arrangements before beginning the recording and production. In this case, I reworked the arrangement, melody, and musical elements after being well into the recording. The seed of the musical aspects of this song stem from the main guitar riff.
How do you know when a work is finished?
This is similar to songwriting in that the answer varies with each song. Sometimes, a song’s completion is obvious and straightforward. Other times, the song can develop over months or years. This includes the musical elements, melody, lyrics, and arrangement. The production phase is sometimes separate from the song or can be closely tied to the songwriting process. No approach is inherently superior or preferred, I tend to let the music guide the process.
How do you find yourself in the music business? When you started out in music, did you know it would be like this?
I am happy with and grateful for my achievements and growth as an artist. I am always striving to grow and am excited for the future. As with any study, one’s understanding evolves and broadens over time. My passion for music and art has always been enough to sustain my pursuits.
Who is your favourite musician?
My taste in music has always been eclectic and has become more eclectic over time. I don’t currently have a favorite band or musician as I enjoy listening to and am inspired by essentially all genres of music. There are so many nuanced elements to admire in all forms of art and I try to be receptive to inspiration wherever and whenever possible.
Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.
As rhetorical and simple as it sounds, my favorite part of being a musician is the act of playing and writing music. I enjoy this in any form at any time, particularly when creating in moments of inspiration. This can be anywhere from attending a drum circle to making up nonsense songs with my stepdaughter. My least favorite part of being a musician as likely most musicians least favorite part and that is the music business.
What’s your scariest experience?
My scariest experience was accidentally hitting my sister in the head with a shovel when we were kids.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Accepting that the music industry is about business, I think that the music industry in many ways simply reflects the culture of the time. I would say I have less a critique of the music industry and more a critique of society and its structures.
What can we expect from Garland Kelley in the near future?
I have 3 more singles from my debut EP to be released throughout this year and am looking forward to what the future holds!