After establishing himself with a wealth of warming delights these last few months, LA-based artist Fleetwood Kelly now looks to cement his vibrant legacy to date with his riveting debut album 'just happy to be here'.
Featuring the previously shared gems 'hail mary', 'honeysuckle', 'he cries himself to sleep' and 'just the wine', this new twelve-track collection makes for an incredibly dreamy listen. Filled with rich and immersive textures, a sweeping atmosphere, and his own compelling vocals at the helm, 'just happy to be here' delivers more of that captivating appeal he has been growing for himself lately.
So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most recently.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I may have picked up the clarinet first when I was a kid, but I really didn’t fall in love with an instrument until I started dabbling on the piano later in life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no “Piano Man,” but the piano introduced me to a world of possibility for songwriting and brought me back to creating my own music in adulthood.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Growing up, I loved everything from Lady Gaga to Earth, Wind & Fire to Barbra Streisand. The bolder and more theatrical, the better, whether it was pop, funk, or the Act 1 finale of Funny Girl.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Technically, it wasn’t MY first album, but I remember borrowing (stealing) my older sister’s CD of “Let’s Talk About Love” by Céline Dion and listening to those 90s power ballads on repeat.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There are a handful of songs I could say, but if I had to pick only one it would have to be “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell. It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t agree that the song is a masterpiece.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I’m always jotting down potential lyrics and concepts for songs. With this album, I pulled a lot from personal experiences, so anytime I heard a word or phrase in conversation or saw an image or piece of art that invoked a particular feeling or memory, I would write it down. More often than not, this would evolve into a chorus, and then I’d build the rest of the song around it.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I think Chappell Roan is pretty inescapable right now and for good reason! Really love her unapologetic style of writing. I’ve also had Ryan Beatty in constant rotation and been revisiting Robyn’s discography lately (we need new music from her immediately!).
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Right now, I would absolutely love to open for Hozier. Been a fan since his self-titled project, and his music has definitely served as an inspiration for my debut album “just happy to be here.”
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The storytelling. Being a musician has given me the outlet to share my experience and write my own narrative when I did not know how to do so before.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Being a musician has never been an easy path, but it feels more difficult now than ever to break through in an industry that is so oversaturated. If I’ve learned anything, though, it’s that you need to be in it for the long haul. I spent a decade working up to releasing my own music, let alone an album. If it takes another decade, so be it. I’ll be here, and I’ll be ready.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
“There can be 100 people in a room and 99 of them don't believe in you, but all it takes is one.”
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Fleetwood Kelly's debut album 'just happy to be here' is out now. Check it out in the player below.