Biography
Ever More Nest is the Americana project led by Kelcy Mae Wilburn, a songwriter originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, who found her musical home in New Orleans. Wilburn first gained recognition recording under the name Kelcy Mae, releasing two albums and two EPs that blended her background in poetry with folk and pop influences. After feeling she had reached a creative endpoint as Kelcy Mae, she reinvented herself and her music under the new moniker Ever More Nest, a name inspired by a line from a poem by Mary Ann Samyn that evoked a sense of expansiveness and belonging.
The band debuted with 'The Place That You Call Home' in 2018, an album that received critical acclaim, including a nomination for Best Alt-Country Album at the Independent Music Awards and a spot on Offbeat Magazine’s Top 50 Albums of 2018. Wilburn’s songwriting is marked by emotive, authentic vocals and honest, observational lyrics that explore themes of place, identity, and belonging. Ever More Nest’s sound is rooted in Americana, alt-country, and folk traditions, enriched by lush harmonies, expansive guitars, and elements of blues and gospel—reflecting both Wilburn’s North Louisiana upbringing and her poetic sensibilities.
Following the debut, Ever More Nest continued to build its legacy with the sophomore album 'Out Here Now,' recorded in Nashville with producer Neilson Hubbard and a cadre of accomplished musicians. The group has performed at notable venues and festivals across the United States, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, solidifying its reputation as a dynamic force in contemporary Americana.
Fun Facts
- Kelcy Mae Wilburn holds an MFA and integrates her love of poetry into her songwriting, often starting songs without a clear meaning and letting the lyrics reveal themselves over time.
- Ever More Nest's debut album was partly inspired by Wilburn's search for a sense of belonging, a theme that recurs throughout her work.
- Wilburn's musical style is influenced by the country, folk, blues, and gospel traditions of North Louisiana, as well as '90s alt-rock.
- The band name 'Ever More Nest' was inspired by a line in a poem, reflecting Wilburn's literary background and her desire to evoke a sense of home and expansiveness.
Members
- Kelcy Mae
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Mary Ann Samyn - Poet whose work inspired the band name and influenced Wilburn's lyrical approach (Poetry (inspiration for band name)) [2017-present]
- Rick Nelson & Jason Rhein - Producers who helped shape Wilburn's earlier work as Kelcy Mae (Kelcy Mae albums and EPs) [2011-2014]
Key Collaborators
- Neilson Hubbard - Producer for both Ever More Nest albums (The Place That You Call Home, Out Here Now) [2018-2022]
- Will Kimbrough - Guitarist and multi-instrumentalist on Ever More Nest albums (The Place That You Call Home, Out Here Now) [2018-2022]
- Dean Marold - Bassist on Out Here Now (Out Here Now) [2022]
- Fats Kaplin - Fiddle, strings, and pedal steel on Out Here Now (Out Here Now) [2022]
- Lucy Cordts - Wilburn's wife and band member, performing live with Ever More Nest (Live performances) [2018-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Out Here Now | 2022-08-19 | Album |
| The Place That You Call Home | 2018-10-12 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Out Loud (Out Here Now)
- What's Gone Is Gone (Out Here Now)
- Coming Along (Out Here Now)
- Out Here Now (Out Here Now)
- Alone Tonight (Out Here Now)
- Wishing Well (Out Here Now)
- Hymn (Out Here Now)
- Almost Home (Out Here Now)
- Unraveling (The Place That You Call Home)
- So Low (The Place That You Call Home)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Ever More Nest has been played 5 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 21, 2025 | 15:28 | Where Do Holidays Gofrom Merry Little Thing - Single | Homespun Americanaw/ Ol Man River | |
| Dec 14, 2025 | 14:44 | Back in the Doghouse on Christmasfrom Merry Little Thing - Single | Homespun Americanaw/ Ol Man River | |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 11:49 | WHERE DO HOLIDAYS GO | New Orleans Music Showw/ Michael Dominici | |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 11:48 | HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS | New Orleans Music Showw/ Michael Dominici | |
| Oct 28, 2025 | 11:28 | Coming Alongfrom Out Here Now | New Orleans Music Showw/ Cole Williams |