Theresa Kelly

San Francisco’s immensely talented Theresa Kelly brings to us her somewhat political, somewhat personal, often imaginative and highly diverse songwriting in the form of her debut album, “Handshoes and Horsegrenades.” Leaving behind her days as the lead singer of the band Jesus Loves Company, and her partnership in the female duo, Fair Iesa, Theresa Kelly’s solo album is a jazzy and soulful folk rock odyssey whose sounds are reminiscent of influential artists such as Joan Baez, Cat Power, Bob Dylan, Regina Spektor and Fiona Apple. Except for the track “Art of Destruction,” featuring members of Jesus Loves Company, “Handshoes and Horsegrenades” is entirely produced by Theresa Kelly, from the lead and backing vocals to the guitar, bass, piano, organ, harmonium tracks and more. Theresa can play them all, as she did with Lisa Ferrara in the duo Fair Iesa.

Theresa has been playing the piano since the age of five, clarinet since the 5th grade, guitar since she was fourteen years old, and has had voice lessons throughout her life. Born and raised in Montana, Theresa studied vocal performance and earned a degree in Theatre Arts from Eastern Washington University. One of her favorite memories of living in washington was recording 23 songs within 14 hours at a ‘basement session’ at the Caterina Winery in Spokane, which she says would often host bohemian jam sessions with painting and pillows.

She is now happy to be living in Oakland, California, where she is surrounded with talented artists and musicians. Theresa enjoys playing with people’s expectations with her music, as she is a fan of and embraces “happy accidents.” She credits a tarot card reading with her vocal teacher and visions from her dreams with helping her on the path that has brought her to San Francisco as well as to the Satya Dharma Music family. “Everything,” Theresa Kelly assures us, “happens for a reason,” and “if you don’t know love, then you don’t know peace.”