Ruston Kelly

Ruston Kelly distinguishes himself within Nashville through a fusion of alt-country songwriters' rugged lyricism and the introspective edge of alternative singer-songwriters. He first built recognition by supplying material to others, crafting "Nashville Without You" for Tim McGraw's 2013 release. As a recording artist he explored territory outside mainstream country, a direction apparent on the 2017 EP Halloween and the 2018 album Dying Star that followed. Kelly labeled his combination of classic songwriting, atmospheric Americana, and alt-rock bite "dirt emo," applying the phrase to a 2019 covers EP, yet the supple, evocative synthesis reached full expression on the 2020 album Shape & Destroy, while indie rock leanings surfaced more clearly on 2023's The Weakness.

Born in Georgetown, South Carolina, Ruston Kelly relocated repeatedly throughout his youth. He found refuge in figure skating and music. By his teenage years he was composing songs with serious intent, several of which appeared on the 2013 EP The Bootleg Sessions. Near that time he settled in Nashville, obtained a publishing contract with BMG Nashville, and began placing material with veteran performers, beginning with Tim McGraw's 2013 recording of "Nashville Without You." He next teamed with Josh Abbott for the track "Tuesday Night," and the Texas singer also cut Kelly's "Front Row Seat" in 2015.

His own performing profile was gathering force by then. After signing with Razor & Tie's Washington Square Music, Kelly issued the debut EP Halloween in 2017. Mike Mogis, previously associated with Jenny Lewis and Bright Eyes, produced the collection, which drew favorable notices and streaming attention; momentum grew further when "Asshole" began circulating virally in April 2018. He had already aligned with Rounder and completed the full-length Dying Star, co-produced with Jarrad Kritzstein and recorded at El Paso's Sonic Ranch, which arrived in September 2018.

Kelly stepped aside in 2019 for Dirt Emo, Vol. 1, a project that merged country with his teenage attachment to emo. The set mixed originals and covers, among them Wheatus' "Teenage Dirtbag" and Dashboard Confessional's "Screaming Infidelities," the latter featuring its writer Chris Carrabba, plus a rendition of Taylor Swift's "All Too Well." One year later he returned with the second album Shape & Destroy in 2020, again co-produced by the artist and Jarrad Kritzstein. Kelly co-wrote "Don't Be Alarmed" for Amanda Shires' 2022 album Take It Like a Man, then released his third album The Weakness in April 2023. Produced by Nate Mercereau, whose prior credits include Sharon Van Etten and Maggie Rogers, the record highlighted indie rock textures while its lyrics addressed his split from fellow singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves. It reached number 19 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers Country chart, after which Kelly issued singles such as "Heaven Made the Darkness" and "Belly of the Beast" later that year.