The Understated Brilliance of Country Music’s Newest Star

Kelleigh Bannen at the MAN'edged Magazine New York Fashion Week Men's

K: Everything was amazing, but I loved the Snake Bones stuff. The attention to detail on all their pieces was amazing. There’s a black diamond gun pendant I’m still dreaming about.

M: We tell many of our friends we interview that we basically Instagram stalk before interviewing. 


Here’s one image of Kelleigh we found via Instagram.
It’s thawing out a bit in Nashville. And I’m liking it. A lot. So is my ’48.


M: You have this fearless, sexy, and chic vibe that we dig. This is felt in your songs like Famous, Welcome to the party, and Cheap Sunglasses. Where do you get your inspiration?

K: (Chuckles) I insta stalk everyone before I even take a meeting with them. Thank you. I love that description, that’s amazing. I love Brigitte Bardot. She could be serious and naughty one minute and then just playful and accessible the next. I definitely love that spirit. I’m also very inspired by my friend Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town. Karen is so bold in her fashion choices, but she doesn’t take herself too seriously; I love that.

M: We take it you’ve dealt with a pair of cheap sunglasses before?

K: Why is it that the cheap sunglasses hang around forever and as soon as I have a fabulous pair of Célines, they disappear?

M: Can you tell us a bit more about your latest EP Cheap Sunglasses?

K: It’s very spirited, with a little bit of swagger. There’s a lot of heart on there too. This has been a season of a lot of change for me: of taking risks and of stepping out and I think you can hear that.

M: Do you see yourself as a mover and shaker in Country Music? If so, how so?

K: Only when I’m on the road (laughs). When I’m home in Nashville, I have my DND turned on my phone at 10:30pm because my band is notorious for group texts after 2am. A girl’s gotta get her beauty sleep.

M: You obviously like to enjoy life and shake things up. We don’t typically see Country Artists spitting TLC’s Waterfalls, which you did a solid job at!


Here’s the second clip we found of Kelleigh delighting an audience via Instagram.
About last night. *Dreams are hopeless aspirations in hopes of coming true. Believe in yourself, the rest is up to me and you.* Thank you @d_weezee for all the love for all these years and for making one 90s girl’s dreams come true last night. #waterfalls


M: Do you like surprising audiences with random impromptu sets like this?

K: I LOVE surprising an audience. And thank you for that, by the way. The TLC song was from a 90s night I did with a bunch of buddies in Nashville, and I went ALL OUT trying to dress like Left Eye. But yes, I think the reason people come to a live show is they want an experience, so you don’t want to give them exactly what they think they’ll see.

M: Let’s talk about guys. First question, are you dating someone? We have to ask because it helps with the next question.

K: I’m actually married!

M: What’s that one thing a guy (or your guy) wears that you’re a big fan of?

K: The shoe department is where you can tell the men from the boys. Shoes are always a tell of “does he have his shit together or not?”.

M: If there were three styling tips you could pass on to the everyday man of the world, what would you recommend? Trust us, guys have literally told us to just tell them what to wear, so here’s their chance!

K: Grooming! Especially in the hair & beard department. Be intentional about it and have a “style.” Even if it’s just one way that you wear your hair that you know you can do quickly and always looks good for a date night. Second, Make sure your jeans fit you well. A good cut that fits well will take you a long way. Lastly, a nice (but doesn’t have to be crazy expensive) pair of sunglasses. They are the quickest way to go from zero to James Dean.

M: We like giving our readers an edge. What exclusive scoop can you share about upcoming projects and what else readers can look forward to?

K: My podcast! It’s called ‘This Nashville Life’ and it’s really just an inside look at life as an artist and the music business. I’m so proud of the stories that we’re going get to share and the people we’re interviewing for the first season!!


 


 

 

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