I found out about Kelli Schaefer in the same way you will…through a glowing recommendation. Sure, some might stumble on her later when some big cultural behemoth like NPR becomes a full-blown advocate, but it’s much more likely that a rolling fan base will spring up in the meantime and sweep out over the land until it gets to your house. I am as sure of this as I am sure of Portland rain. And for most people, the infatuation will begin with her voice.
It is a full vessel, both unwavering and unbroken, even by the most angst filled scream; a natural instrument, that just seemed to be there without all the excruciating training most people need to make a note bloom. It soothes you like your best sleep trick, but also ventures out beyond the midnight method, never allowing itself to be chained to a post. That’s not to say it is without influence; bubbling around in its chamber is a mix of gospel, jazz, soul, rock, and old country. It is something that could slay you in a small venue or a big auditorium and doesn’t take 800 listens and acres of music history notes to fall in love with. It's the real deal and it lives in SE Portland.
That’s where I first encountered it, in a chattering room around Christmas time. I had dragged my friend to a release party for her latest single, knowing nothing beyond her name because Ian McNeil (one of our esteemed photographers) told me that she was going to be big. And what else can you do with that statement but become a fully hybridized version of yourself, half excited, half skeptical?
When she emerged, she came quietly, there to check her instrument (a white Epiphone Les Paul) and strum out a few careful chords. The audience continued their conversations, more concerned with their next thought than the girl up on stage. Even when she started to play, the conversations didn’t die down. But then she began to sing, and everything changed. The half-full room went graveyard silent and all eyes went forward, unable to resist the vocal magnet that was pulling them in. It is something that I will never forget, because in that moment lies the sacred convergence of audience and talent, that instant when natural ability cuts through the static and commands you to see it. It was captivating, in the true sense of the word, and even my friend who usually steers clear of her style of music knew he was watching something special.
So what does this girl with the golden voice sound like? Honestly, it’s hard to pin down: not because it’s wildly inaccessible or challenging, but because it doesn’t fall into a singular/familiar formula. Sure, I hear elements of soul, elements of folk, elements of rock, but they all act as different strokes of the paintbrush rather than the typical situation where one dominant trait knocks the others out of the way and assumes control over the canvas.
Even when I asked Kelli if she could describe her sound, she responded with, “Could you?” No Kelli, I can’t put a blanket term on it and that’s part of the reason I like it so much. It’s a world where songs like “Sister K” that crackle with the energy of roaring fire sit next to floating ballads like “Gone In Love.” Where Kelli’s battles with depression influence her lyrics just as heavily as her desire to be a shoulder for those closest to her. And it’s evolving.
Kelli says that her sound is going to get more diverse over time, and if you listen to what she has released so far, it’s easy to take her at her word. Older songs like “Carry Us Over”--those that work the pedal steel and religious angles like she was running for mayor of Nashville--are giving way to darker moods and expertly layered instrumentation. On a newer song like “City Morgue,” you can hear that her delivery is becoming more personal, and is accentuated by horns and an organ rather than a pedal steel or lone guitar. It’s a progression that suggests she will always try to redefine herself, or better yet, not define herself at all. And the good news is that when Kelli tinkers, her results get better and more engaging rather than convoluted and draining, an asset to her listeners when you consider that her label, Amigo/Amiga (started by friends and roommates, Jeremiah Hayden and Drew Grow) is putting out two new Kelli Schaefer songs every six to eight weeks.
The label, in it’s own way, is an example of her progression as well, as she met Drew (also an Amigo/Amiga artist) at the Bridge, which, according to Kelli is a “crazy punk-rock church” populated by artists, musicians, and free spirits based in Portland. And if you end up becoming a fan, this is also the place to which you should send your donations of thanks, because it’s where Kelli was encouraged to first break out of her shell, and embrace her talent.
Before becoming a member of the Bridge, she had always kept her music to herself, choosing to practice the guitar alone, rather than with other musicians. In fact, she was terrified at the thought. But at the Bridge, she found kindred spirits that helped her gain the confidence she needed to say what she wanted to say, do what she wanted to do, and sing like she wanted to sing. She points towards the pastor of the church, Todd Fadel, and his wife Angie as the catalysts, but it was also here where she began collaborating with Drew.
This meeting of the musical minds continued over the next couple of years and when Drew and Jeremiah started Amigo/Amiga, it seemed only natural that Kelli would be a part of it. And as it stands today, they all live, record, and promote Amigo/Amiga releases together, with eyes out for that break that will take them out of their day jobs and into the coveted realm of full-time musician.
So, if you are interested in hearing Kelli Schaefer, these are your options:
1) You can check her out (and four older songs) at her Myspace.
2) You can download her latest songs on iTunes.
3) You can check out her upcoming show (only $7), where she’ll be opening up for The Skinnyz and Tango Alpha Tango at Mississippi Studios on March 17th.
I suggest all three. And check back tomorrow for our interview with her. It should round out most of what we haven’t covered and give you a deeper angle into what makes Kelli Schaefer tick. Cheers.
