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Kelcy Mae

Rank #1 New Orleans, LA Americana / Dixie Fusion / Alternative Rock

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About

Members: A rotating cast: Lucy Cordts, Tom Marron, Kyle Sharamitaro, Pat Fee, David Pomerleau, Owen Romero, Eric Rodriguez, Bad Andy

Sounds Like: Natalie Merchant, Aimee Mann, Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams, Brandi Carlile

Label: Parish Road Music

Bio: One of Kelcy’s great strengths as an artist lies in her subtlety -- beautifully-nuanced lyrics and arrangements which reflect that very notion of human emotions. She leaves simplistic odes to love or lust or heartbreak to other artists and instead dwells in the fascinating space of sudden realiza... See Full Bio

More Info

Kickstarter Link

Status

: Sang at a wedding in Jackson Square & upstaged by a mentally disabled man bathing in the fountain beside the couple. #NOLAneedsmentalcare

Press

“The new EP includes an impressive list of local players; among them lead guitarist Alex McMurray, the Revivalists’ drummer Andrew Campanelli and singers Alexis Marceaux and Alexandra Scott. All five tracks are strong, but “Oh How the Whiskey” was the one that really caught our attention. It has the lively feel of a good drinking song; yet the lyrics are deep with foreboding: “Oh how the whiskey means it’s winter/ Oh how the devil loves a sinner/ Oh how the whiskey burns in summer/Pouring like the sweat of a funeral drummer.” The arrangement pulls a neat trick toward the end, as the fiddle and banjo and overtaken by a gospel choir. Whether the singer gets saved or keeps sinning is up to you.”

— Brett Milano, Offbeat Magazine

“She sang with an easy confidence, ever so slightly raising the energy in the room...Mae and her band controlled the mood of the room, shifting from quiet reverie to a folksy wall of sound sometimes in a single song. Mae often gets labeled as alt-country or alt-folk. That seems to mean that her music is clearly American but can't be pegged to a single region. She writes sharp songs with lyrics that steer clear of cliches.”

— Todd Price, NOLA.com

"...a specialist in fresh-faced yet soulful alt-country reminiscent of Natalie Merchant."

— bestofneworleans.com

“Kelcy Mae Weaves Rich Instrumentation, Thoughtful Lyrics into Album (feature)”

— Chris Bynum, UNO Magazine

“Kelcy Mae (real name Kelcy D. Wilburn) has just released her second full-length album, Pennies in Hand. Wilburn’s lilting vocals set against soulful – sometimes mournful – instrumentation, replete with jaunty banjo and ukulele, synthesize a charming aural canvas, blending components of bluegrass, back-country ballads and modern rock. A Shreveport native, Wilburn relocated to New Orleans as an undergraduate, and has been writing and singing here ever since.”

— Alex Gecan, New Orleans Magazine

“Kelcy Wilburn’s latest recording Pennies in Hand is the perfect record to listen to on a lazy weekend day. Filled with peaceful yet compelling vocal melodies and relaxing, well arranged instrumentals, this record is the ideal companion to a glass of lemonade and a rocking chair on a southern style porch. Wilburn’s (better known as Kelcy Mae) Louisiana roots are evident throughout the record, especially on tracks like “Take Your Time.” The thoughtful lyrics in songs like “Carnivale” and the title track “Pennies in Hand” give the listener an insight into the singer/songwriter’s mind while also allowing the listener to identify a meaning of his own. ”

— Georgia McBride, Where Y'at Magazine

“Are you a fan of traditional folk or indie-rock music? Give Kelcy Mae a shot, she won’t disappoint, nor will her very talented background musicians. Mae has a beautiful voice that is both soothing, yet powerful. Relaxing, but it grabs your attention. She developed a love of poetry in high school and now holds an MFA in poetry from the University of New Orleans. Mae released an album in 2011 called Pennies in Hand, which can be purchased on iTunes. Her 2007 album The Times Compiled is also available. On Mae’s website, www.kelcymae.com, you can listen to eight of her songs for free, including my favorite “Swingin’ Low Without a Chariot.” You also will see links for her Facebook page and Twitter feed (@Kelcymae) on there. Check out the calendar on Mae’s website to see when you can watch her perform, or just wait until April 14 and watch her perform at 11 a.m. at the French Quarter Festival on the Esplanade/ Old Mint stage. ”

— Peter Dupont, Where Y'at Magazine

“Kelcy Mae a Top 10 Local CD of 2011: Mae grew up in Shreveport; she moved to New Orleans in 2001 to major in English and minor in music business studies at Loyola University. Her sparkling 2011 release is illuminated by smart wordplay and arrangements, bright, warm production and a voice that recalls Natalie Merchant crossed with the Indigo Girls. Acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, piano, cello, drums and upright bass factor into the seductive, agreeable mix.”

— Keith Spera, The Times Picayune

“ “...solid ground for Kelcy Wilburn, whose voice is warm and distinctive, and whose lyrics are intelligent...a reason to keep paying attention to Kelcy Mae.” ”

— Alex Rawls, Offbeat Magazine

“Pennies in Hand sparkles with nuanced vocals, smart wordplay and a bright, warm production that casts arrangements in a flattering light.”

— Keith Spera, The Times Picayune

“Kelcy Mae's album Pennies in Hand is a bold statement against the stereotypes associated with singer songwriters. These are songs with guts, with purpose, and with legs. Her heart is all over these songs, but her musical head makes them great. A pleasure to listen to from track one til the end. A true success, in a field of just okays. ”

— Mr. Johnny Sketch, of Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes

“In New Orleans, we are lucky to be treated to so many great performing songwriters. Kelcy Mae is one of them, her lyrics vivid and unforgettable. Pennies in Hand has this great summer breezy feeling—even the sad songs will make you feel good.”

— Margie Perez, New Orleans Vocalist

"...an impressive debut, well-crafted and professional."

— Rob Fontenot, Offbeat Magazine

"...well produced, solid first album."

— Katie Tape, Where Y'at Magazine

All Press

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King of Tennessee

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The Fire

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Oh How the Whiskey

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Get Back Home

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Shows

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Sun
May 26

Mudbug Madness
Shreveport, LA, US | 1:30pm
Mudbug Madness
Shreveport, LA, US
Sun May 26 1:30pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Sat
Jun 8

House of Blues New Orle…
New Orleans, LA, US | 8:30pm
House of Blues New Orleans
New Orleans, LA, US
Sat Jun 08 8:30pm
- Show Details
- Tickets
Details

@ BIG MAMA'S LOUNGE at House of Blues
Fri
Jun 21

Banks Street Bar and Gr…
New Orleans, LA, US | 9:00pm
Banks Street Bar and Grill
New Orleans, LA, US
Fri Jun 21 9:00pm
- Show Details
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ABC Show, details tba
Thu
Aug 8

The 5 Spot
Nashville, TN, US | 8:00pm
The 5 Spot
Nashville, TN, US
Thu Aug 08 8:00pm
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- Tickets
Details

TBA
Fri
Aug 9

Knoxville Visitors Cent…
Knoxville, TN, US | 12:00pm
Knoxville Visitors Center
Knoxville, TN, US
Fri Aug 09 12:00pm
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Kelcy Mae band plays the WDVX Blue Plate Special

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Comments

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ButterFly Sting
Great Music! Good Luck in the New Year!
William S. Tribell
very nice! bravo!
Angelina on KRNN
Your songs will be spinning in Juneau, Alaska on KRNN this week!! Great album!
Ross Penney
MOONSHINER IS AWSOME!
Kerry Leigh
Exceptionally creative songwriting and strong compelling performance! Take care. -- Kerry
Linda Nicole Blair
Hi, Kelcy! Come to Seattle!