SHIMMERING NORTHWEST AMERICANA
"Kelly writes songs that are evolved, with themes that are literary, meditative, and explore parallels between our lives and nature. She sings with the smoothness of Sarah McLachlan, but with a bit more Americana grit and charm."
--Producer Rob Stroup
8 Ball Studios, Portland OR
Portland-based Kelly Brightwell sounds like Neko Case meets Patty Griffin. Or Jonatha Brooke with a dash of Karin Bergquist from Over the Rhine. Or even a mashup of Shawn Colvin, Roseanne Cash and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Her sound draws from familiar New Folk and Americana influences, but the singer/songwriter has a distinctive style that's all her own.
Over the years, Kelly's songs have received critical acclaim from the Tucson Folk Festival, the Intermountain Acoustic Music Association, the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival, Just Plain Folks Music Awards, NPR All Songs Considered, and Americana UK Magazine, among others.
Since releasing her last album Hearts and Home (2013), a group of seasoned players have joined Kelly to support her live performances: Michael Henchman (bass and backing vocals), Jeffrey Koch (electric guitar), and Jean-Pierre Garau (keyboards). Kelly also loves performing her work in a solo or duo format for listening rooms and house concerts.
In addition to her solo endeavors, she plays with Brightwell & Moran, a duo project with co-writer Woody Moran. They were the Global Winners of the 2022 Talent is Timeless Songwriting Contest, and traveled to Abbey Road Studios in London to record a new version of their winning tune Bare Boards. Their last EP, 2023's Land of Plenty, was recorded with Dean Baskerville (Pink Martini, Sheryl Crow). And they have released several singles with UK based JAM Records, including the live version. of Slide Under.