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“The last songs that made me cry were by a young New York singer, Kelley McRae. One was called “Time,” and the other one “Break Us.” – Wim Wenders
Kelley McRae grew up in Mississippi but called Brooklyn home for years before teaming up with guitarist Matt Castelein in 2011, when the duo traded in their NYC apartment for a VW camper van and hit the road full time. Thousands of miles and hundreds of shows later, they have toured coast to coast in the US, played to packed rooms across Europe, sold-out the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and built a dedicated following on the strength of their live performances.
Drawing comparisons to Patty Griffin and Gillian Welch, the duo's music is wide ranging – comprising haunting ballads, tender love songs, and energetic guitar driven songs. Paste Magazine's 4 Star review raves "Kelley moves effortlessly from mournful tones to a celebratory swing, from songs of loss and decay to hymns of love and grace." Acclaimed film director Wim Wenders says Kelley's songs move him to tears, and BBC Radio's Bob Harris calls the songs 'brilliant.' Kelley's music has been featured in Lifetime's Army Wives, MTV, commercials for American Airlines and Unicef, and numerous independent films.
Kelley's latest release, CAN YOU CHANGE THE HEART OF ME?, was recorded in her hometown of Taylor, TX with Matt Castelein, her husband and longtime musical partner. With their two young daughters in mind, the songs search for hope in the midst of uncertainty. This is clear in a song like 'A World on Fire', where Kelley asks: "How do you dream in a world on fire? I'm not asking for myself, I'm asking for my child."
