Maria Kelly on vulnerability and connecting with the world through music
Indie-folk singer-songwriter Maria Kelly weaves together deeply sincere reflections of life with a delicate hand and gentle air that makes the listener lean in. Ahead of her performance in the Workman’s Cellar on Thursday, October 3 as part of Ireland Music Week, we spoke with the artist about her journey through music.
Maria Kelly crafts the kind of music that feels like a warm hug. Her lyrics go deep, channelling the emotions at the core of her being in a way that’s unique, yet utterly relatable for many. Her debut album the sum of the in-between was released in 2021 and details the intricacies of her own mental health journey against a backdrop of beautiful, melodic indie-folk.
Over the years in between, Maria has performed alongside the likes of Kodaline, Orla Gartland, and James Vincent McMorrow, and her music even soundtracked both RTÉ‘s trailer for Conversations With Friends and the international trailer for new movie EZRA, starring Rose Byrne and Robert De Niro.
Her next single ‘Something Better’ drops on Thursday, October 10, and sets the tone for an album that revolves around navigating the anger, pain and disappointment that come with feeling things so deeply. Taking to the stage of the Workman’s Cellar as part of Ireland Music Week on Thursday, October 3, tickets are still available here.
Tell us a little bit about your musical career. Was being a musician always something you aspired to?
Yes! I always gravitated towards music, and loved writing stories for as long as I can remember. I loved the feeling of connection it gave me and I’ve tried to follow that thread ever since.
Has your West of Ireland upbringing had an influence on your music, or writing process?
I think so, yes. I spent a lot of time outside in nature as a kid. Two places in Mayo that jump to mind are Aasleagh Falls and Tourmakeady Woods. I have a lot of good memories there. Natural imagery has always made its way into my lyrics or visuals.
Your songs are so personal, yet so relatable. Is it cathartic for you, expressing yourself through your songs, or does it feel very revealing?
Thank you! It’s cathartic. It’s always been more of a processing tool for me, similar to journaling. It helps me understand my own experience. It weirdly doesn’t feel very revealing — when those songs make their way out into the world, they just feel like a vehicle for connecting with people for me. And people then find their own experiences in them, they’re not for or about me anymore.
Your single ‘Drive’ features in the trailer for the film EZRA, how did that come about?
Pure luck! Someone in the company was a champion of my music and very kindly put some songs of mine forward for the selection process. It was a really cool experience, and I feel very lucky they chose my song!
In previous interviews you’ve spoken about the DIY mentality, and projects like the Living Rooms tour really encapsulate that. I would love to hear more about your approach to this mentality.
Yes! My team at VETA and I have had a very DIY mentality from the get-go. I like to feel in control of my project as a whole, and working with a small group of friends who really have music and wellbeing at the centre of their decision-making has allowed me to do that.
The Living Room Tours came from wanting to build more grassroots communities. The music industry is in a weird place, where it’s getting harder and harder to build a long-term audience without spending so much money to do so. These shows came from wanting to get off the damn phone and get humans in rooms, putting artists and listeners in an environment that encouraged deeper connection.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I know the answer to this is usually a gig but, I would actually say meeting a listener of mine, Kate, for the first time in person. She lives in the US, and connected with my music back in 2018. We’ve kept in touch since, and it has been such an encouraging friendship, as she was one of the first people that I didn’t know to connect so deeply with what I was doing. I know songs of mine have soundtracked many chapters in her life, and getting to meet her in person this year felt incredibly special and affirming.
Who are some of your big sonic inspirations?
They always change album by album but ones I keep coming back to are Adrienne Lenker, Sufjan Stevens, Lucy Rose, boygenius, and Laura Marling.
What are your thoughts on the Irish music scene?
I think it is really in a league of its own. The level of talent in Ireland is incredible, and people put their all into their projects. It’s a really inspiring place to work.
What is the main piece of advice you would give an up-and-comer in the industry?
There’s no right way to do anything, follow the thread of what feels good to you. Ask for help — no one is out there doing it completely on their own, and even if they are, it is so much more fun when you do it with people you love.
What do you hope your music evokes in the listener?
Courage to sit with the uncomfortable parts of themselves.
What’s your favourite lyric from a song that you love?
So hard to choose one, but this jumps to mind today —
“Light up, tear up, talk more, cartwheel” — ‘Cartwheel’ by Olivia Barton.
It’s such a delicate track about a conversation with her inner child.
Who are three up-and-coming acts we should have on our radar, Irish or otherwise?
Annika Kilkenny, Seánie Bermingham and Daughter Of A Drum.
What can we expect from your set in Workman’s for Irish Music Week? How does it feel to be selected to perform at this showcase?
A full band show! And so many unreleased songs from my next record. I feel really, really lucky to be given this platform at Ireland Music Week. The team involved go above and beyond for Irish artists, and I intend to make the most of it!
Finally, what is it about making music that sets your soul on fire?
The fact that it encourages people to be vulnerable with themselves, with each other and with me. I’ve had some of the most amazing conversations with strangers because of something they connected with in a song of mine. It connects me to the world in such a wonderful way, and I feel very lucky to experience that.
Photography by Tara Mollan. Presave Maria Kelly’s upcoming single, ‘Something Better’, which will be released on Thursday 10 October here.
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