steve kelly

Biography

Steve Kelly is a New Orleans-based guitarist, songwriter, and producer known for his Americana soul sound, deeply influenced by Memphis gospel vocals, R&B horns, and the B3 organ style of Al Green, Hi Records, and Willie Mitchell. After spending over a decade establishing his reputation with the local group Gravy, Kelly launched his solo career with the 2022 album Here's the Thing, co-produced with Robert Mercurio of Galactic. The project snowballed during the pandemic, allowing him to collaborate with top musicians who were available due to halted tours, transforming an initial three-track EP into a full-length record inspired by personal themes of love and life's hardships.[1][4][6]

Kelly's career reflects two decades of connections in the New Orleans music scene, where he honed his craft before going solo. His style blends his adopted hometown's spirit with soulful Americana roots, evident in the diverse array of talent on his debut, including players from Govt Mule, Jimmy Herring Band, Tedeschi-Trucks Band, and Galactic. In a 2022 interview, Kelly described the album's organic growth, drawing inspiration from collaborative environments like Steely Dan records and album-driven artists such as Prince, Pink Floyd, and D'Angelo.[1][4]

While specific details on his early life remain limited in available sources, Kelly's move to New Orleans shaped his musical identity, leading to a patient build-up to his solo debut after years in local bands.

Fun Facts

• Kelly's debut album Here's the Thing began as a three-track EP during the pandemic but expanded into a full-length due to available collaborators and new songs.[4]
• He draws inspiration from dreams and spontaneous sources for his intuitive songwriting, avoiding contrived formulas.[2]
• Kelly aimed for a Steely Dan-like collaborative process on his album, bringing in elite session musicians for unique contributions.[4]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Al Green - stylistic influence via Memphis gospel vocals and soul (Hi Records style) [ongoing]
• Willie Mitchell - production and musical influence on R&B horns and B3 organ (Hi Records productions) [ongoing]

Key Collaborators

• Robert Mercurio - co-producer, Galactic member and Tipitina’s owner (Here's the Thing album) [2022]
• Kevin Scott - bassist (Here's the Thing) [2022]
• Isaac Eady - drummer/multi-instrumentalist from Tedeschi-Trucks Band (Here's the Thing) [2022]
• Stanton Moore - drummer (Here's the Thing) [2022]

External Links

• Spotify