Nora Kelly Band - Rodeo Clown
Mint Records
Released August 25th, 2023
The Nora Kelly Band, a Montreal-based queer country group, recently released their first full-length album Rodeo Clown following their 2022 introduction with the EP Perfect Pig. Nora Kelly has been playing in bands since she was a teenager living in Vancouver, and previously released music with the punk-grunge band DISHPIT. But after the breakdown of that band and the tribulations of the pandemic years, she began to re-emerge with a new batch of songs and collaborators thanks to songwriter gatherings in Montreal. Rodeo Clown is a joyful and pleasing collection of songs written by band-leader Nora Kelly. With a sound that brings to mind alt-country legend Neko Case, plus Canadian contemporaries like Kacy & Clayton and Megan Nash, this album will have you smiling, stomping your feet, and drifting off into a western-wilted dream.
Kelly mentions in the album’s press release that while she loves the genre, she isn’t trying to trick you into believing she was born and raised on the farm: “When I started writing country music a few years ago, I arrived with a deep appreciation for the genre and history. Still, I live in Montreal where I earned a Fine Arts degree. I’m not trying to fool anyone. I’m not ‘Okie from Muskogee’ or ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’”. And on album highlight, “Horse Girl”, Kelly’s tongue-in-cheek connection to the country genre shines through as she sings lines like: “Grew up in the city when I was a little filly, only spent a couple weeks on the ranch, boys like trucks and I was a horse girl, even though I never had the chance,” and “I always tip my waiter but I’ve never tipped a cow, I can rob a Dollarama, never worked a plough, I like Hank Williams and I like Townes, I could ride the range but I don’t know how.”
Although there are many moments of light-heartedness, Kelly’s lyrics are also infused with mystery and reflection. Before the title track “Rodeo Clown” kicks into high-gear, Kelly muses over slow-burning sounds: “I’ve been wronged, but I’ve also done bad things, probably more than I’d ever like to tell you…” She later tears through lyrics like: “People die, we’ve gotta go, and in the end all we’ve got to show for it are objects” and “I’ve made promises and then turned my back in weakness. All I’ve got are these four walls now but they always keep my secrets.” The song wraps up with a funky, scream-filled outro and closing piano slide, leading into the contrast of the touching violin-voiced “Roswell'' and torch-burning album closer “Tonka”. While Nora Kelly is new to the country genre, this album is filled with numerous ear-catching moments that beautifully showcase her honed songwriting and production skills. These moments serve as powerful reminders of her ability to shine in any style she chooses.
- Gregory Torwalt
