Pittsburgh vocalist’s EP blends neo-soul, jazz, R&B

Pittsburgh vocalist KELS is looking forward to her 26th birthday later this month.

On that date, the Pine-Richland graduate will release her first three-song EP, “Slow Ryde,” after performances this summer at the Three Rivers Arts Festival, Deutschtown Music Festival, Millvale Music Festival and Picklesburgh.

Before that, though, she’ll host an EP release party Nov. 14 at Kingfly in the Strip District.

KELS, a.k.a. Kelsey Hillock of Pittsburgh’s North Side, spoke with the Trib about preparing for the EP release. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Q: Your last three song releases, “Closer,” “No Lie” and most recently “Bare,” reflect your jazz influence. Is that same sound present on your new EP?

A: The EP, “Slow Ryde,” definitely shows a different side of my music and my voice. I would consider it a fusion of neo-soul, jazz, pop and R&B. I can say that each track shows off a side of my voice and lyricism that people have not heard yet. I get really comfortable laying all my feelings on the line on this EP, which for me is scary but exciting to be that vulnerable.

Q: What’s the significance of the title?

A: It refers to the journey that love takes us on. Each track depicts a different stage in a relationship, from falling in love to deciding whether it makes sense to stay or leave someone. It will be available on all streaming platforms on my birthday, Nov. 29.

Q: Tell me a little about recording the EP — where did it take place, who was your producer, etc.?

A: I wrote all of the EP tracks to instrumental loops I found online last winter in 2020 and tested them out countless times over the summer at various festival performances. It was easy to decide which of my unreleased songs should be the ones to go on this EP – I got a unanimous response from the crowd when I performed these three specific tracks live this summer. Basically, it was a little experiment I conducted. I’ve never decided on new releases in this way before, but there’s a first time for everything.

Working with multi-platinum music producer Ryan M. Tedder of Serenity Sounds Studio on two (“Slow Ryde” and “Down 2 U”) of the three songs was essential for this EP. Ryan brings such an unmatched passion and expertise to producing. This EP brought the best out of both of us in my opinion. His style ranges from classic R&B to pop, so it was easy to bring my vision to life with him. The third and final song, “Just Let Me Go,” was produced by a good friend, Jacob Spitzer. Jacob also produced ‘No Lie,” which I released earlier this year.

Q: What is your favorite song on the EP?

A: I am seriously so proud of how “Just Let Me Go” turned out. It is moody and dark, yet energetic. I wrote it to a beat on YouTube, explained to Jacob what I was going for and he executed the track perfectly. Jacob is now working as a studio producer and engineer in Los Angeles, so we worked together remotely on the song. I recorded all of the vocals for each song with Ryan at Serenity Sounds Studio in North Versailles. There’s one thing I love more than anything in the world, and that’s writing and singing sad songs. The unique aspect of this one is that it is sad, moody and melancholy with an energetic edge, thanks to Jacob’s production work on it. It’s a song you’d put on to go on an angry drive to feel free. I personally feel the chorus is one of the best I have written so far. The song is basically saying, “I’m not sure about this relationship, but I am sure of myself and that’s enough for me.”

For more, see FindingKels.com.