His most recent song is a chill, laid-back love song that we think it will resonate with a lot of listeners. Over trap drums, it has smooth guitar and bass. The hook also has synth in it. It sounds fantastically soulful and alternative R&B. He had been writing music for two and a half months, and he considers himself to be a rising alternative R&B talent. With each song he releases, his fan base continues to expand, as he had been doing so gradually. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started? B
EN KELLY: For sure! I’m from Connecticut originally but I live in Washington, DC these days. I’ve loved music my whole life and sang in high school and college but stopped after I graduated. At the beginning of this year I realized I really missed it and wanted to pursue making music again. So I took the plunge. It’s been great so far!
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
BEN KELLY: I have a bit of formal training but I’m mostly self-taught. I’ve been in a number of choirs and singing groups in the past and taken a few singing lessons but my training isn’t that extensive.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘BEN KELLY’?
BEN KELLY: I have a lot of musical influences, but they mainly fall into two camps, which I believe my music is a blend of – contemporary Alternative R&B and more old-school soul. Some of my contemporary influences are Frank Ocean, SZA, Daniel Caesar, Tyler, the Creator, and Brent Faiyaz. As for more old school, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Philly Soul, and 80s soul are big influences for me. As for my name, people have always told me I had a memorable name so I just went with my birth name for my stage name. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
BEN KELLY: I think my music is original, authentic, and soulful – it comes from the heart and is my own. I’m not trying to copy anyone, which I think really resonates with people. Whenever I ask other people who they think my music sounds like, I always get different answers, which is really gratifying since to me music is all about authenticity. Musically, I think my music is a mix of both old and new soul and R&B in both production and vocals.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as R&B?
BEN KELLY: While I regret not making my own music earlier, I think there have been advantages to starting a bit later than most (I’m 27). I think because I’ve been listening to music for a while and a fairly wide variety of it (I mainly listen to R&B and Hip-Hop but I listen to a ton of different stuff) I’ve been able to avoid the copying stage of music that a lot of musicians talk about where you’re emulating your favorite artist. From day one I’ve tried to do styles rather than artists, but I’ve definitely strayed from that into producing and making songs in a mishmash of different styles all put together. But I’ve been making R&B the whole time – I always knew that was the kind of music I wanted to make.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
BEN KELLY:
I’ve definitely written some songs with a more political/social commentary bent – I’m a pretty political person myself and I want to weave that into my music. I haven’t put any of those songs out yet as to me it’s a bit harder to make songs like that more natural, but I’m working on it, and you’ll definitely hear those types of songs from me as time goes on. I’m a big believer in using your platform for good so I definitely want to convey my thoughts on society through my music.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
BEN KELLY:
I’d love to continue to grow my audience and that definitely drives me, but honestly I do really enjoy just making music. It’s a big time commitment so it is nice to have other people hear it and appreciate it, though. It’s very fulfilling.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?BEN KELLY: I always start with the beat first. Sometimes if a good line or chorus comes in my head when I’m not actively writing music I’ll write it down to use later, but usually my lyrics and melodies come from the beat, rather than the other way around. I think my songs feel much more natural when I do that.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
BEN KELLY: In music these early stages have been tough at times for sure. I think for me the hardest periods have been when I’ve doubted if what I’m doing is worth the effort, or that I’m just putting out music that no one’s hearing. But when I see that people are enjoying the art that I’m putting out and reaching out to me about it, that shows me that it’s not for nothing and I can keep going.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?BEN KELLY: I’m not really sure so far – the most significant point in my music career as of right now has been me taking the leap and actually writing and recording music and putting it out into the world for other people to hear. Hopefully I reach something bigger than that (right now I’m trying to start performing live) but for now simply the act of getting started has been the biggest thing for me.
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
BEN KELLY: I honestly don’t get that much negative criticism or hate – the majority of it is constructive and about my mixing which I agree is still in the early stages and I’m learning more about how to do that. I have gotten a bit of random hate but honestly I take it as a milestone and sign that I’m making progress. Every big artist gets hate so it was inevitable that it would come. But the positive feedback far outweighs any hate that I get so it doesn’t affect me too much.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
BEN KELLY: I love making music, so I’d probably choose creative work in the studio. I have a bit of stage fright, which I need to get over to perform live. However, since I haven’t done any live shows I don’t necessarily know what it’s like to put on an electric show, which could be really great! So it’s hard to say yet.
13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
BEN KELLY: I think music is personal, like all art – it means something different to each individual, which is part of what makes it so special. I don’t think you need to understand the artist’s intent to enjoy and appreciate art. It means what it means to you!
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