INTERVIEW: Nora Kelly Wants You to be Your Weirdo Self
A lay down girl, as Nora Kelly Band defines it, is someone who conforms to the will of others. That’s not what Nora Kelly, who previously fronted the Canadian punk trio DIPSHIT, wants for herself or anyone else.
“The lyrics to this song were direct advice that I was giving to myself, to stop being a ‘Lay Down Girl’,” notes Kelly. “To stop staying put, acting sweet and putting everyone else first. Other people’s approval had been my priority for so long that overtime my connection to what I liked and what I wanted had become weak. The lyrics are advice to this former self, with a chorus that chants, ‘I’ve been a fool…I’m going back to school, but this time my education’s gonna be ‘bout myself.
In our interview, Kelly explains her path to country and the radical power of inclusivity.
Who are some of your musical influences?
I started really falling in love with country music in my early 20s, but at that time I was screaming and playing guitar in a punk band called DISHPIT. I remember thinking that Loretta Lynn, Townes Van Zandt, Lucinda Williams and Blaze Foley were some of the punkest folks I’d ever heard. Making country music now, I think the punk element still shines through a good deal, especially in the songs where I’m telling a story or leaning on absurdism and humour.
Tell us about the first song you wrote.
I wrote my first song at 16 called ‘Deja Vu,’ after going to a family wedding in L.A. and realizing that I hated that city. Although it’s my oldest song, I’ve always considered it one of my best and I’m excited to say that it will finally be released on our upcoming album Rodeo Clown.
Where are some places you’ve found joy within the country/Americana world?
During the pandemic, my city [Montreal] was completely shut down, with a 8 o’clock curfew and everything. In order to stay sane, friends and I met out on the near by train tracks with guitars, fiddles, banjos and even an accordion and played country covers as the sun set. Sometimes the cops would chase us off, but I always looked forward to those Tuesday evenings. And the best part was that that’s where I met most of the players in the Nora Kelly Band!
How do you feel your queer identity ties into your performance style or music?
Lyrically and on stage, the Nora Kelly Band promotes being yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks. More than half the songs on this album are about learning to stand up for yourself, accept who you are and the complicated journey towards inner peace. It can be tough out there, so I hope our band generates a space of inclusivity, where people feel free to be their weirdo selves.
What’s the best way a fan can support you?
Listen to our new single ‘Lay Down Girl,’ and watch the accompanying horror-themed music video where I play a scary clown. Also keep an eye out for us this July/August as we tour across the US and Canada promoting the upcoming album!
