Lora Kelley just released her album Domystique, which explores the complexities of womanhood, especially the period of time between being young and fitting in with the older generation. While songs about breakups can elicit sadness or young love songs can bring joy, the space of being in the middle ground and the feelings surrounding it is not discussed as frequently. Kelley’s album brings an interesting perspective that’s lacking in new music today.
We had a chance to talk with Kelley about her album, womanhood, and her journey in music.
How did you get started in music?
I began a more professional approach to music in 2015 with the release of my EP “Dusty Wheels”. That was the first time I had stepped into a proper studio to record with an actual producer (a friend, Isaac Wardell of Porter’s Gate). Prior to that, I’ve always loved to sing, and I began playing guitar when I was about 15, but started taking that more seriously in my 30’s.
Who’s influenced you the most in your life?
I’ve had several influences. My parents, of course, and my extended family. But as I’ve begun to choose my influences, musically, I’ve been most influenced by Natalie Merchant, Patty Griffin, Lori Mckenna, Natalie Hemby, Joni Mitchell, Brandi Carlile. In a mentoring space, I’ve been influenced by my friend and author, Debby Prum, my friend and a counselor Susan Cunningham, Steve Greenwell – who produced by last record, the amazing vocal coach Rob Stevenson, and anyone who has reached out to tell me they love my music and encouraged me to keep going. Fans make this worth it. I also have deep and enriching friendships. I have two strong and beautiful women from my work at The Allender Center who I have walked through difficult and flourishing terrain, and they have deeply influenced me. And I have my tribe of close friends who are making their way through this stage of life with me. They are guiding voices, as well.
Can you describe how you came up with the title of your upcoming album, Domystique?
The title is the combination of Domestic with Mystique. Oftentimes I find that this stage of life is categorized as a borning, haggy slog, and I just decided I didn’t want to think that way about it. I didn’t find that it served me very well. And I don’t believe other people have to think that way about it; of course it’s anyone’s choice what they want to think. I just wanted to provide an alternative. We’re not offered many options that name both the challenges of this stage AND the beauty and hold that tension well. It can feel like a drunk riding a horse, falling off one side or the other – either naming it all misery or pretending like it’s all curated roses and unicorns. Real life stands in the tension of both profound beauty and suffering.
Domystique
Did you write “Mama’s Kitchen” about your experience as a mother or more about your own mother? I’d love to hear the story behind the song.
I was sitting on the floor in the living room during COVID summer. My mom was in the kitchen preparing food, and I was working on a song. My daughter (7) walked in, declared she wasn’t interested in what my mom was making and walked out. My mom and I looked at each other, and I sang “mama’s kitchen, don’t wanna hear no bitchin'” We laughed, and then my daughter walked back in, and asked my mom if she had enough of the food that my daughter could offer it to her friends. My mom said, “of course.” And we fed my daughter and her friends. As my mom was plating the rest of the food, I sang “mama’s kitchen, where every hungry mouth is welcome.” That was the beginning of the song’s concept. I wrote a chorus that day, and then I tabled it (pun) and began pondering what the story could be.
The rest of the song came from a longing to be with family. We’ve frequently visited my aunts, and I had all of these memories of sitting at the table while they cooked. How I missed them! I pulled images from my mom of those times, and I combined them with my own desire to feed and care for other young women in my midst. I played it for mom several times and tweaked the words with her until they felt true and full.
A lot of your songs are about being in the “middle space” between youth and the older generation. When did you first realize that you were in that group and how did you feel initially as you moved to a new season of life? Your songs really embrace where you are now and I’m curious how you got to that point.
Haha! crossing into 30 I had a full-on 1/3 life crisis. I really wrestled with the fear that my music career had ended before I was even able to get started. A lot of that fear was rooted in the thought “you can only make it in music if you start young, are really youthful and beautiful and are very talented at the outset.” I was like, well shit, I don’t meet any of those criteria. I’m done! Somewhere I found Lori McKenna, and I realized she began when she was in her late 20’s with 3 kids, and all the sudden just having one example helped me imagine something that I didn’t think was possible. I also took a workshop with Mary Gauthier, and I remember sitting across from her in tears, and she told me to keep going. That the songs were worth writing, and that there is a depth that lasts far longer that is just as beautiful.
I want to feel both inspired and content. I want to hold both the gift and beauty of the present and yet be continually moving forward into new places, learning new things. So I do a lot of work around wanting from a place of having, instead of wanting from a place of scarcity. Scarcity almost always feels bad and never produces a good result. Wanting from a place of naming what you have and being glad for it, creates an energy of creativity that offers and invites. So I practice that.
How would you describe your songwriting style?
Folk, Americana with a *sometimes* pop sensibility. I love the combination of holding darkness and light.
You interview inspiring women every Friday on Instagram. What inspired you to start that series and what’s your biggest takeaway so far?
I believe women should take up 100% of the 50% of the world that they occupy. I remember seeing Brandi Carlile interviewed, and she talked about sexism as being something we have taken into ourselves and don’t even realize we perpetrate. She challenged us to do, to include, to be diverse and check our own sexism. So I decided I wanted to talk to a lot of women and share a space with them to discuss how their femaleness, creativity, racial identity, age, etc intersects and to ask them what wisdom they can offer to the world through the lives they’ve lived in whatever stage they are in.
My biggest takeaway is that there are a lot of f-ing amazing women! Holy cow. It’s been so incredible to hear what people are doing. I just love it so much.
Who would be your dream interview and why (dead or alive)?
I would love to interview my family’s first matriarch that came to the United states. I want to know her story.
The upcoming album release will be a huge accomplishment for you this year. Is there anything else in the works that you’d like to share?
I am working on putting some dates together to play out and hopefully do a small tour! 🙂 I’ve started writing a book on some of the things I’ve learned over the last 5 years. I just want to do as much as I can with the life I have, and so that’s what I’m planning on doing.
Connect with Lora Kelley
For more information on Lora Kelley, visit https://www.lorakelley.com/.