Daily Inspiration: Meet Kiely Connell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiely Connell.

Hi Kiely, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been singing my entire life but I didn’t get my first guitar until I was 16 from a pawn shop in Gary Indiana. The first song I learned to sing and play was “Jolene” by Dolly Parton. Very early on my favorite songs were very old classic country songs but I never really understood why that music really stood out to me until I started writing songs of my own. Storytelling through song is such an incredible way to relate to people. We live in a big world full of distraction. We’re constantly comparing ourselves to others and distracting ourselves with very unhealthy vices and habits. As humans I think a lot of us feel incredibly alone on such a big planet. It’s all cyclical and can lead to a lot of mental health issues which is something I’ve struggled with personally and a huge part of the reason why I wanted to write songs. I wanted to make others feel seen and heard and be a common thread that can bring people together.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. I never really had any guidance professionally until relatively recently and now I’ll be navigating my career alone again. It’s hard to know where to start and how to help yourself. Everyone can put out music these days which creates an incredibly oversaturated market making it practically impossible to be heard. It’s an uphill battle that some days I’m not even sure I’m strong enough to keep climbing. The thing I try to remember is the amount of people who have come up to me after a set with tears in their eyes because something I said resonated. It’s those people and those moments that remind me to keep going.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been singing since I was a baby. My mother taught me to repeat melodies back to her when I was very little. She is also a singer. I think my vocal ability is the first thing that people notice but if they listen more closely they’ll hear that I tend to write very personal songs about the human condition. I think it’s incredibly important to write about things that I’ve struggled with or things that people I love have struggled with so that people know that they’re less alone in whatever they’re going through. I don’t want to lose another friend because they feel like all hope is lost.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My parents have been with me every step of the way and I’m incredibly blessed to have them behind me. They were both performers and they understand what it takes to keep pushing and how difficult it is to choose art for a living.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kielyconnellmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiely_connell/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kielyconnell/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv8jS21h41-_e4-G6HSiyWw