One look at this native's MySpace page will confirm what you can hear in her voice on this, her debut CD: she appreciates the obliquely cutting poesy of Tori Amos, the deathly conversational phrasing Joni Mitchell is famous for, and the obsessively confessional tone of Fiona Apple (not to mention her love for moody, pillowy jazz piano chords). But vocally, she's a dead ringer for Natalie Merchant, who isn't listed. So you certainly can't accuse Kelcy Mae of bad taste on these 10 thoughtful originals, and you can't accuse her of dilettantism. She sounds like she came by all these influences naturally. It's only experience she lacks; she hasn't found a way to forge these influences into a signature style yet. Too often on The Times Compiled you can hear her gallery of Lilith Fair headliners poking their individual heads out for just a brief moment, a phrase or two, to announce themselves.

Make no mistake: this is an impressive debut, well-crafted and professional. And Mae's lyrical noodlings, unlike a lot of works in this genre, occasionally strike gold, or at least move her past the poses. ("You leave your notebook locked away / Like a Daniel in your den / But can your words tame lions?") But tellingly, it's when she drops the mask and steps out to make a universal emotional statement that the elements all come together, such as "Dear Baton Rouge (The River Jordan)," in which she asks the Mississippi for some mythic healing, or the near-jaunty "Swingin' Low Without a Chariot": "You don't believe in everything you hear / So why should I be any different?"

-Rob Fontenot, January 2008 Issue

Singer/songwriter Kelcy Mae makes an unforgettable entrance with her debut album, The Times Compiled. Her pure yet eclectic voice hugs genuine, personal lyrics, creating a sweet and honest tribute to her beloved hometown of New Orleans. Having been spared any personal loss in the storm, Kelcy Mae offers a unique perspective on life Post-K as someone who is just as heartbroken and confused as those that did experience loss. Astutely crafted lyrics complement the album's indie folk-rock style. The song "In the Underlining" expresses poignant melancholy, as evidenced by a sample lyric: "It's always in the underlining; it's never in the silver lining." "Lullaby-bye" is certainly the most memorable song on the album, reminiscent of a young Sandy Posey. "Bait" has an Irish folk slant, while "This Town" incorporates a jazzy trumpet, which rounds out this well-produced, solid first album. Great things are right around the corner for this budding local artist.

X Close

As a child growing up in Shreveport, the Red River Revel was big in Kelcy Mae’s eyes. Crowds of people, an array of activities, endless food booths and the steady stream of music blaring from multiple stages captivated her. The Revel was more than making a sand sculpture, eating a funnel cake and going home -- it was experiencing community.

Years later and all grown up, Mae will return to the Revel, but this time her eyes will take in the festival from a different perspective -- the stage. Set to perform Saturday on the Chase Stage, Mae is excited about the experience.

“I went to the Revel every year as a kid. Playing there is kind of an awesome feeling,” said Mae, a 2001 Byrd High graduate.

“It’s somewhat intimidating, but I’m really excited about it. I love playing music. I feel comfortable on stage, and I like people seeing what I do.”

“Shreveport is more welcoming to my style of music than New Orleans. I think the music scene (in Shreveport) is on the rise because of all the things they are doing for artists.” During her temporary stay in Shreveport, Mae performed hurricane benefit concerts at 516 Soundstage and Sully’s. Mae has since returned to New Orleans, but finds the music scene much different than when she left.

“It feels great to be in a city that I love so much, but it’s also somewhat painful to see the distress some people are still going through. But so many good things are happening as well.”

As Mae woos the Revel audience with her melodic folk/rock and graceful voice, she hopes to snag the attention of some new unsuspecting fans.

“The biggest benefit of the show is the amount of people that are going to be there, that are randomly going to hear my music, who haven’t heard it before,” Mae said. “It doesn’t matter if I’m playing at a bar or a festival. Just playing for people is good enough for me.”

X Close

Kelcy makes perfect pastoral pop music. Her music is resonant in the way Sandy Denny and early 10,000 Maniacs were, and Erin McKeown and Josh Ritter are today.

X Close

An intelligent combination of insightful lyrical angst and catchy melodies, singer/songwriter Kelcy Mae captivates audiences while leaving them enchanted by her smooth poeticism and beguiling charm. With a distinct talent for writing lyrics, Kelcy Mae stands apart from the redundancy that plagues the soft alternative rock community. Her songs provide comfort and emotional reassurance in an honest yet unthreatening way. Lines like, “It’s the nuclear family that never was okay…it’s a pill a day to keep all emotion at bay,” and “I can’t imagine what it’s like to bleed anymore, it’s the love and it’s the hate, the trust, the lack of faith that keeps you guessing,” exemplify Kelcy’s lyrical eloquence and ability to clearly and creatively express herself.

Backed by Eric Klerks on bass, Ryan Olivier on piano, Ingo Deul on drums, and Beth Halel on cello, the group fills the room with a uniquely rich and relaxing sound. Traces of the Counting Crows, Tori Amos, and Jewel (before she sold out) can be heard in her music.

Raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, Kelcy Mae, whose real name is Kelcy Wilburn, began playing piano at the age of six, trumpet at age ten, and guitar and bass guitar at age fourteen. She entered Loyola University New Orleans in 2001 as a Music Business major, but decided to change her concentration to English. By combining her talent for writing with her love for music, Kelcy is able to offer audiences something new and uplifting.

X Close

Kelcy Mae: Girl with a Guitar is a Strong Example of Local Female Talent

“It’s the nuclear family that never was okay, it’s the sick dissection of each goddamn religion.” Ladies, Kelcy Mae is just what we need. This young singer/songwriter has just recorded her first full album, Strange Confidence, which is filled with powerful lyrics that we can all identify with.

She started out as a solo guitar act and filled out her sound by adding drums, bass, cello, and piano. This combination of instruments is perfect for Kelcy’s variation of material. Each song has a unique sound. The piano brings out melodies while the cello adds a soothing aspect. The drums contribute to the distinct rhythm of each song. For example, Carnivale has a touch of a Latin beat.

I like to think of Kelcy as a Trojan horse. Her music’s catchy and soft exterior masks her sometimes harsh lyrics. Her voice is angelic, but her message is poignant. For example, “Revolution Song” is an upbeat, tap-your-feet and smile kind of song. The lyrics begin, “Don’t you love those Sunday afternoons when we sit out at the Fly.” But it continues, “we talk about the politics and the men who love to lie.” Since her music is so melodic, it has the potential to appeal to every demographic. It is very easy on the ears. But unlike most pop music, her lyrics are intelligent. Her songs run the gamut from friendships and breakups to saving the world.

X Close

Kelcy Mae, the New Orleans-based alternative/indie folk artist is a Shreveport favorite having lived here and performed regularly for several months in the wake of Katrina. [She is] a singer/songwriter of unique sensitivity with originals such as “Swinging Low Without a Chariot,” “A Select Few,” and “Strange Confidence.”

X Close

Kelcy Mae has been featured as one of Keith Spera’s “Top Picks” in New Orleans’s Times Picayune numerous times, including January 13, 2006, May 11, 2007, November 2, 2007, and April 11, 2008.

X Close

• 11/20/04 - WWOZ 90.7FM - Saturday Night Jam Session
• 03/12/05 - WWOZ 90.7FM - Fund Drive Performance
• 04/19/06 - WTUL 91.5FM - Interview/Performance
• 10/30/07 - WWOZ 90.7FM - Interview/Performance
• 11/03/07 - WTUL 91.5FM - Interview/Performance
• 04/08/08 - WWOZ 91.5FM - Interview/Performance
• 05/10/08 - WWWL 1350AM - Interview/Performance

X Close