In a genre that is lacking in the vitality that brought it to it's popular peak in the 60's, singer-songwriter Kellee Webb is one of the few artist creating music that is truly contemporary yet truly folk. With an ecclectic sound that owes as much to Nirvana and Hank Williams as Richie Havens and Odetta, Webb mixes a voice that is thick and sweet like home-spun honey with commanding guitar work to create a genuinely inspiring acoustic alternative.

Interview with Kellee Webb

So, how did you start playing music?

Well, I wanted a keyboard when I was 5 years old and my parents got one for my birthday. I started playing by ear and never stopped. I’ve switched instruments a few times, but the music won’t stop coming out of me. I’ve even been teased at my day job because I can’t stop humming, singing, or tapping something. I think I’m driving my current boss crazy, but that’s what happens when you don’t let a musician listen to music when they work!

When did you get into playing guitar?

My father is a guitarist who always wanted me to play guitar, but I wasn’t interested until I got into rock. Once I started listening to that, I learned a little bit of guitar but found that I really wanted to play bass. I got a bass when I was fourteen, but I never stopped playing guitar. It’s how I write my songs. I can’t write songs on bass, only bass lines. Guitar is my medium when I sit down to do my songwriting.

You said you were into rock, which does come through in your music. You have a few rock inspired songs on Obsidian Dystopia, your first CD and on Too Soon to Tell, your most recent album. But I also hear folk, blues and country influences. Didn’t you used to play in a bluegrass band in TN?

Yeah, I did! I got to play in the East Tennessee State University Bluegrass program when I was in High School. Jack Tottle, my bluegrass guitar instructor put me in an intermediate-advanced bluegrass band and I thought he was trying to get me to quit! I had to practice for hours to make sure I was up to par, since I had never played country or bluegrass before, but in the end I became pretty good at it. I love writing country inspired songs and making them a little silly so that people have a good time with them.

Speaking of a good time, you’ve played at some major festivals haven’t you?

Well, I played at Artscape 2004 and 2005 in Baltimore. It’s a huge 3-day festival with all sorts of visual and performing arts. It was a dream of mine to play there, since I’m originally from there and I’ve gotten to do it twice! I also was fortunate enough to play the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. in 2006. Between festivals I also performed at various clubs in and around Baltimore, including Paloma’s, The Full Moon Saloon, DeDanann’s Coffee and Tea and a host of other venues. Now that I’ve relocated to Boston, I’m hoping to start playing around here, now that life has settled down a bit since my move.

Well, we wish you the best of luck. Welcome to Boston! Thanks for sitting down with us!