Kelli Rae Powell Live at Jalopy

Kelli Rae Powell Live at Jalopy

Kelli Rae Powell is the tiny ukulele-wielding, redheaded stepchild of Billie Holiday and Johnny Cash. Whether she's growling out wry ruminations or purring her way through a love song, she delivers the kind of consistently literate lyrics that once prompted Tommy Ramone to call her a poet.

The Iowa-bred performer arrived in New York City in 2000, and after making a name for herself in the city's underground ukulele cabaret scene, released 2006's "The Scandalous Accounts of My Youth," and 2009's "New Words For Old Lullabies" (both on Firecracker Records). She has been listed as a "Rising Star: Folk" in iTunes Essentials, alongside Bon Iver, Joanna Newsom and The Weepies, and New York City's Deli Magazine wrote that her talents place her at the "tip of the NYC ukulele solo singer songwriter movement."

Powell's forthcoming CD, "Live At Jalopy," produced by Terry Radigan and recorded at Jalopy Theatre and School of Music in Red Hook, Brooklyn, showcases a confident artist at the height of her game. Her set list includes new songs and fresh versions of Powell's most popular songs from her previous recordings, making this album either a perfect introduction to her work, or a must-have for Powell's completist fans. On this recording, Powell was joined by long-time band members Jim McNamara on upright bass, Shaky Dave Pollack (M Shanghai String Band) on harmonica, and Joe Brent (Regina Spektor, Erin McKeown) on mandolin and violin, plus Matthew Brookshire on guest vocals. The album was mastered by Richard Morris Mastering (The Felice Brothers, Spirit Family Reunion).

Interview with Kelli Rae Powell

Question: How would you describe your music?

Kelli Rae Powell: Folk.


Question: What was the main inspiration behind Live at Jalopy?

Kelli Rae Powell: Love and loss: these songs are about the loss of my grandmother and how my husband (and upright bass player) Jim and I met and fell in love.


Question: What was it like working with Terry Radigan?

Kelli Rae Powell: Terry Radigan took such good care of us throughout the entire project and especially during the live recording. A live recording can be terrifying. We knew she had everything covered, though, so we just got to play. I would love to work with her again.


Question: Which song on Live at Jalopy holds the most memories, for you?

Kelli Rae Powell: They're all songs about my life, so they are all full of memories.


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

Kelli Rae Powell: I write the songs. I write about whatever I happen to be going through.


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

Kelli Rae Powell: I love Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Billie Holiday...I could listen to them constantly.


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

Kelli Rae Powell: We just released Live At Jalopy in February of 2013.


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

Kelli Rae Powell: I throw my towels in the laundry when they are dirty. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to throw them.

Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Kelli Rae Powell: I like both. The most important thing is where you go to eat and who comes with after the work is done.


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

Kelli Rae Powell: Dolly Parton is my hero.


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

Kelli Rae Powell: I make sure I enjoy every minute of what I do musically. I have defined my "success" in those terms. That said, there have been no challenges, so far. Just a lot of hard work and great music.


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

Kelli Rae Powell: The talented people I get to make music with and the delicious food and drink we enjoy together when the work is through.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?
Kelli Rae Powell: Dolly Parton.


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

Kelli Rae Powell: www.kelliraepowell.com


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

Kelli Rae Powell: I think everyone has to figure those things out for themselves. Great food doesn't hurt. Treating the people in your life well (including yourself) goes a long way, too.


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

Kelli Rae Powell: Again, that's up to them. I had my own reasons for writing what I wrote. People are welcome to enjoy my music (or not enjoy my music) however they see fit.


Interview by Brooke Hunter