All Access Magazine (AAM): Your website describes you as an American Singer, would you say you are on the lines of country, southern rock or perhaps classic rock. How can you best describe your music to someone that doesn't know you?
Kelli: I WOULD DESCRIBE OUR MUSIC AS OUTLAW NORTHERN ROCK AND NO BULLSHIT COUNTRY. WE THROW IN SOME BLUES JUST TO MAKE IT SHINE. OUR SOUND IS DEVELOPED BY PLAYING WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY BUNCH OF GUYS. MIKE LESNICK ON DRUMS, CHRIS TURBIS ON KEYS, JEFF MALLOW ON GUITAR AND DANIELE "THE HIT MAN" DECARLO ON BASS. I THINK YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH CHRIS FROM ALLIGATOR STEW AND THE REGULATORS WHERE YOU (ALL ACCESS) GAVE HIM AN AWARD FOR "BEST KEYBOARDIST." SO WE HAVE A MIXTURE FROM ITALY, CANADA, INDIANA, LOS ANGELES AND NORTHERN WISCONSIN. PUT THAT ALL TOGETHER AND YOU HAVE KELLI & THE SHADOWMEN.
AAM: Where are you originally from?
Kelli: A: NORTHERN WISCONSIN
AAM: I see from your bio you are a singer-song writer and actress. Care to share with our readers a little about your acting career too?
Kelli: I STARTED OUT AS AN EXTRA ON GRIZZLY ADAMS. FROM THERE I WENT ON TO ACT IN SEVERAL FILMS AND EVEN PRODUCED AND DIRECTED ….BUT ALL THE WHILE MUSIC WAS SURGING THROUGH MY VEINS. NOW MUSIC AND THE TOURING TAKE UP ALL OF MY TIME…. BUT WHEN YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF GUYS ON THE BUS WE HAVE A LOT OF FUN AND HAVE STARTED SHOOTING OUR OWN LITTLE VARIETY SHOW …. WE DO A SKIT WHICH IS A TAKE OFF ON ICE ROAD TRUCKERS WHERE WE ARE THE BACK ROAD F******. YOU CAN TAKE IT FROM THERE. I ALSO PLAY A CHARACTER CALLED DOCTOR NINA WAGINA WITH A CALL-IN RADIO SHOW FILMED ON THE BUS WHERE THE BAND AND WHOMEVER IS RIDING WITH US CALL IN WITH THEIR PROBLEMS. CHRIS PLAYS A DERANGED DOCTOR WITH HIS OWN SHOW CALLED “AND THE THING IS” WHERE HE GIVES US DAILY COMMENTARIES ON WHAT THE “THING IS.” IT’S SNL WITHOUT THE BUDGET! IT’S JUST CRAZY ON THE BUS. WHO KNOWS, MAYBE WE REALLY WILL END UP WITH A SHOW FROM THE BUS. WE CERTAINLY HAVE THE CHARACTERS.
AAM: Are you still acting or is music and touring your full time gig?
Kelli: MUSIC AND TOURING IS A FULL-TIME GIG…. BUT IF WE EVER HAVE A BREAK I WOULDN’T MIND STEPPING BACK IN FRONT OF OR EVEN BEHIND THE CAMERAS. LAST WEEK I TOURED THE RED FACTORY IN IRVINE AND BEING AROUND THE MOVE MAKING PROCESS STILL MAKES MY HEART POUND. I JUST CAN’T GET IT OUT OF MY BLOOD.
AAM: You were a solo artist before correct? Then you meet up with The Shadowmen, how did you meet up with them?
Kelli: I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BACKED BY A BAND WHICH I CALLED THE SHADOWMEN AND I DID ALBUMS WHERE I HIRED STUDIO PLAYERS FOR THE ALBUM….BUT WHEN WE DECIDED TO REALLY GO OUT AND TAKE OUR MUSIC TO THE WORLD ONE FAN AT A TIME I TEAMED UP WITH MIKE WITH THAT GOAL IN MIND AND WE STARTED HAND PICKING THE BAND. IT HAS TAKEN YEARS. BUT WORTH IT....THEY ARE SUCH EXTRAORDINARY CHARACTERS AND PLAYERS THAT THEY HAVE BECOME A SEPARATE ORGANISM CALLED THE SHADOWMEN. IT HAS BECOME SOMETHING SPECIAL. I NOW KNOW THAT THE WORD “BAND” REALLY HAS A DEEP MEANING, CLOSER TO FAMILY THAN JUST PLAYERS. IT’S REALLY UNUSUAL BUT WE HONESTLY GET ALONG.
AAM: How long have you all, Kelli and The Shadowmen been on the road now?
Kelli: WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER FOR FIVE YEARS. IT TOOK THREE YEARS TO GET THE SOUND RIGHT THEN WE HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR AND A HALF.
AAM: A 50-foot tour bus is something bands dream about? How did all this come about?
Kelli: IT WAS PRETTY APPARENT EARLY ON THAT THE BEST WAY TO GET AROUND FROM STATE TO STATE WAS TO GET A BUS SO MIKE WENT TO NASHVILLE AND FOUND A BUS WE COULD AFFORD. ALL IN ALL IT’S CHEAPER THAN HOTELS and LOTS MORE FUN.
AAM: Thus far, where would you say is your favorite city or venue you have performed?
Kelli: I DON’T HAVE A FAVORITE. EVERY CITY AND VENUE IS A NEW ADVENTURE
AAM: Your self titled album, Kelli & The Shadowmen, has 8 tracks. Included are the songs 'Me & Bobby McGee and "Ain't No Sunshine When He's Gone', true classic hits. Your music is what I say, "Music from the Heart", and pulls on the heartstrings. Where is your album available?
Kelli: THIS REALLY ISN’T A TYPICAL ALBUM. IT IS TRACKS FROM OUR LIVE SHOWS. WE SELL IT AT OUR CONCERTS.
AAM: I'II bet being on the road all the time gives you plenty of time to write, not to mention how inspiring it all can be? Have you ever thought of writing a book?
Kelli: WELL, I INTEND TO WRITE A BOOK IN THE LONG RUN AND HAVE WRITTEN SEVERAL SCRIPTS. I FIGURE I’LL WAIT ABOUT FORTY YEARS AND IT WILL BE MORE INTERESTING!!!
AAM: Where will "The Big Black Bus" be taking you in the future?
Kelli: TO STADIUMS AND LITTLE VENUES ALL OVER THE WORLD. IF I HAD ROCKETS ON THE BUS I WOULD TAKE IT TO THE MOON.
AAM: How is the best way your fans can keep up with you? Web site?
Kelli: MY WEBSITE WWW.KELLI.COM AND WWW.MYSPACE.COM/KELLIANDTHESHADOWMEN COME ON BY... WE’LL LEAVE THE LIGHT ON FOR YOU.
It was a pleasure Kelli. please give The Shadowmen our regards. Is there anything you would like to add to this interview or perhaps tell our readers?
Kelli: Thanks again!!!
