For many years, Jilly Martin and Ryan Brooks Kelly were each chasing their music dreams as solo artists. But after years of playing at the same gigs in New England, the two decided to team up and create a duo to reckon with. With Jilly’s unmatched energy and Ryan’s incredible guitar talent, paired with their strong vocals, the duo has taken New England by storm- playing hundreds of shows each year to fans throughout the region and beyond. On April 23rd, they released their debut, self-titled EP as a duo. Check out our review of the project below!
1.) ‘I’m Gonna Kiss You’ – Written by Jilly Martin, Ryan Brooks Kelly and Marty Dodson
Impression: Martin and Kelly lead off the EP with this song about the things that may annoy two people in a relationship but despite those small nuisances, it’s not enough to change the strength of the relationship. The conversational piece really shows off their harmonies that their voices bring together. Don’t miss out on Ryan’s incredible guitar solo right around the 1:35 mark. ‘I’m Gonna Kiss You’ has a great sound matched with some fun and relatable lyrics which makes for a great start to the EP.
Favorite Lyrics: Life’s too short to sweat the small stuff. Yeah we only fight, so we can make up…
2.) ‘Trainwreck’ – Written by Jilly Martin and Ryan Brooks Kelly
Impression: If you love traditional country music, ‘Trainwreck’ is for you! It’s chock full of steel guitar, drums and guitar. We love the alternating verses before Martin and Kelly come together on the chorus which has a fast tempo that’ll have you tapping your toe.
Favorite Lyrics: Holdin’ me in one hand and a bottle to your lips. Comin’ off the rails with every bitter sip. Trouble’s all I’d taste on your good night kiss…
3.) ‘Young, Broke and Beautiful’ – Written by Jilly Martin, Ryan Brooks Kelly and Steve Mitchell
Impression: Ah, young love. That’s the theme of this song. Two people head over heels in love with each other, no money, but they have each other. We love the steel guitar heard in the background throughout the track and another guitar solo from Ryan at the 2:15 mark- the guy is a guitar-wizard! We’re definitely looking forward to seeing the duo perform this live at the 2nd Annual New England Country Music Festival presented by The Harbor Agency on August 7th!
Favorite Lyrics: They just don’t care, it’s them against the world. Unstoppable, unbreakable, invincible…
4.) ‘Like Johnny and June’ – Written by Jilly Martin and Phil Griffin
Impression: If you know these two, you know that they have a real affinity and connection with traditional country music! And what’s more traditional country than Johnny Cash and June Carter? They were icons and remain icons today despite the ever-evolving world that is country music. In the song about infidelity, the guy is singing to a girl who is in a relationship with someone else but he wants to be her Johnny and he wants her to be her June. And she feels the same way for him as they have crossed that boundary of ‘just friends’ already. Despite the dark theme of infidelity, Martin and Kelly are able to bring a light feeling with their incredible harmonies. ‘Like Johnny and June’ is our favorite song on the album because of it’s unique songwriting perspective likening a potential relationship to the most famous couple in country music history.
Favorite Lyrics: That ring of fire is burning on my skin. Getting hotter as I hide away my sins…
5.) ‘Buck Medley’
Impression: ‘Buck Medley’ is a tribute to the iconic Buck Owens which features a medley of four of Owens’ songs. “There is a certain energy, and entertainment standard that you get anytime you listen or watch Buck. That aspect really resonates with us, and from a guitar players standpoint I hold Buck and Don at the top of my long list of guitar heroes,” says Ryan. Jilly goes on to describe, “We both love traditional country music and all of our country influences include people like Buck, George Jones, Merle, Waylon, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline. The harmonies Buck and Don Rich did along with the guitar playing in these tunes lends itself to what Ryan and I like to do and collaborate on with our music now.” So when it came to putting together the EP, Martin and Kelly knew they wanted to include this fun medley full of traditional country so their fans knew where they were coming from.
Jilly and Ryan were both great as solo artists but as a duo, they are phenomenal. They are able to compliment each other with awe-inspiring harmonies that will make you want to hear more. While they have been able to master different covers from years of playing at bars, they have proven that they can also excel with original music on both the songwriting and vocal perspective. They aren’t following the masses and trying to capture audiences with sexy beats and spoken verse but instead following in the footsteps of the traditional country royalty that inspired them and applying that and their love for that classic sound to their own music and path. If you love artists like Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris and Brothers Osborne, you have to give Martin and Kelly a listen!
You can purchase Martin and Kelly’s self-titled EP on their website here.
You can follow Martin and Kelly on Facebook, Twitter, and their official website.