GoGirls Interview with Kelly Zirbes of Kelly's Lot
by Madalyn Sklar
What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?
I always did music to express my feelings. It has never been that hard for me to express myself on a day to day basis but there's a lot that is left unsaid in my days and nights. So I put that in songs. I also tend to express the feelings of others I come in contact with. Empathy really drives my music. So with that said I never felt I had to do music. It was just a part of my daily life, maybe my therapy. Taking music to a performance level was always driven by others who wanted me to sing. I have finally embraced that part of my music and really enjoy it.
Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.
Rock'n'Roll and Blues. Cat Stevens, Janis Joplin and my husband Perry Robertson.
What's your ideal venue atmosphere?
Outdoor Festivals. Where people are letting their guards down and having fun.
Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.
From playing guitar and singing folk songs to Rockin' the Blues in Europe. There have been a lot of others stages along the way and all inspired by the musicians around me.
How would you describe the music scene in your area?
Los Angeles is full of talented folks but not a lot of places to really let the music grow and breathe. L.A. has a lot of showcase places for those looking to do that. I enjoy seeing good bands in these situations but prefer not to play them.
What was the inspiration for your latest release?
None really. We were helping a friend out who was getting used to some recording equipment. He asked us to "just play a set of songs while I work out the kinks". We set up in a circle and played 10 songs. We were shocked at the great sound he had created and asked him to mix it. It was LIVE without an audience. We had stopped for pastrami sandwiches on our way there so we named it "Pastrami and Jam"
What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?
Play those songs a bunch before you record them. Songs grow as you play them. They simmer when you play them more.
What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?
Their willingness to work hard!
Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.
Not quitting. Not breaking up the band because of broken hearts and disappointment in the musicians who have become your friends. Kelly's Lot has been together over 15 years and 4 of us have been in the band for 13. We stayed together out of love and respect and a few "time-outs" along the way.
What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?
Don't pressure yourself with expectations that don't feel natural. Work hard but have fun along the way! It is about the journey folks!
Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.
I am just getting started!
What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?
Meeting Madalyn Sklar and so many other women (and men) who love helping others. The GoGirlsMusic Fest is amazing and I am so proud to be a part of it every year.
Learn more about Kelly's Lot at:
http://www.kellyslot.com/
http://www.reverbnation.com/kellyslot
http://www.myspace.com/kellyslot
http://twitter.com/kellyslot
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kellys-Lot/277433365117
Copyright © 2010 GoGirlsMusic.com
Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 14 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.
You can reach Madalyn at MadalynSklar.com or madalynsklar AT gmail.com
What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?I always did music to express my feelings. It has never been that hard for me to express myself on a day to day basis but there's a lot that is left unsaid in my days and nights. So I put that in songs. I also tend to express the feelings of others I come in contact with. Empathy really drives my music. So with that said I never felt I had to do music. It was just a part of my daily life, maybe my therapy. Taking music to a performance level was always driven by others who wanted me to sing. I have finally embraced that part of my music and really enjoy it.
Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.
Rock'n'Roll and Blues. Cat Stevens, Janis Joplin and my husband Perry Robertson.
What's your ideal venue atmosphere?
Outdoor Festivals. Where people are letting their guards down and having fun.
Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.
From playing guitar and singing folk songs to Rockin' the Blues in Europe. There have been a lot of others stages along the way and all inspired by the musicians around me.
How would you describe the music scene in your area?
Los Angeles is full of talented folks but not a lot of places to really let the music grow and breathe. L.A. has a lot of showcase places for those looking to do that. I enjoy seeing good bands in these situations but prefer not to play them.
What was the inspiration for your latest release?
None really. We were helping a friend out who was getting used to some recording equipment. He asked us to "just play a set of songs while I work out the kinks". We set up in a circle and played 10 songs. We were shocked at the great sound he had created and asked him to mix it. It was LIVE without an audience. We had stopped for pastrami sandwiches on our way there so we named it "Pastrami and Jam"
What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?
Play those songs a bunch before you record them. Songs grow as you play them. They simmer when you play them more.
What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?
Their willingness to work hard!
Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.Not quitting. Not breaking up the band because of broken hearts and disappointment in the musicians who have become your friends. Kelly's Lot has been together over 15 years and 4 of us have been in the band for 13. We stayed together out of love and respect and a few "time-outs" along the way.
What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?
Don't pressure yourself with expectations that don't feel natural. Work hard but have fun along the way! It is about the journey folks!
Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.
I am just getting started!
What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?
Meeting Madalyn Sklar and so many other women (and men) who love helping others. The GoGirlsMusic Fest is amazing and I am so proud to be a part of it every year.
Learn more about Kelly's Lot at:
http://www.kellyslot.com/
http://www.reverbnation.com/kellyslot
http://www.myspace.com/kellyslot
http://twitter.com/kellyslot
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kellys-Lot/277433365117
Copyright © 2010 GoGirlsMusic.com
Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 14 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.You can reach Madalyn at MadalynSklar.com or madalynsklar AT gmail.com
Labels: gogirls interview, Kelly Zirbes, Kelly's Lot
| Permalink | 
Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 15 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.
"Madalyn not only gives me marketing strategies during our consultations, but she gets me thinking in a whole new direction."
"Madalyn’s high-energy, can-do attitude was the shot that I needed to get me going!"
"Madalyn has played a key role in helping me build a strong foundation for my music business."
"In just one session, Madalyn was able to answer tons of questions we had about the music industry and making a living as an independent artist."
