Share your background as an artist.
I grew up in Bethalto, IL. I started playing guitar in the 8th grade, and started playing in pop punk bands in high school. Bear Hug Jersey was the first band that felt like we could really cause a little stir in the industry. We were traveling the midwest with some pretty popular bands in that scene, and had some songs licensed to “The Hills” on MTV. After things ended with BHJ, I began fronting the group One Lone Car, where we were opening for bands like Gin Blossoms, OneRepublic, Train, Switchfoot, and more. We also had some success licensing songs to MTV. Things fizzled out with them, and I wasn’t sure that I’d make music any more. I took some time off, but then met Audri Lucasey in college, and we formed the duet Audri & Aaron. We had some success winning a national songwriting competition, where we flew to LA to record the song and shoot a video, and then opened for the Bangles at South by Southwest. We began to see a cap on what we could accomplish in the midwest, so we moved to Los Angeles in 2013. We were working on an album and playing music around town, but nothing really broke through for us as we were trying to navigate the new city. We ended the duet, and I again wasn’t sure if I’d give this industry a full go again. It wasn’t until spring of 2017 that I got the bug to start writing again, and this time, under the solo project Aaron Kellim. I released my first single in December of 2017, and then slowly released a few songs over the following year and half. It wasn’t until I was a part of Jay Denton and Endure Studios project “For Lebanon” that things really began to take off for me. I worked with Jay on two of the songs for that project, co-writing and tracking vocals, and our relationship really began to take off. He asked me to be a part of what he’s building and Endure, which was an easy yes for me. I’ve now been working out of Endure Studios for a year and a half, and have been releasing a new song every month since. I’m also licensing music through some incredible companies that Jay has built great relationships with, which has unexpectedly broadened my fanbase globally.
What makes your music unique?
My music is unique because it’s very pop influenced, but I’m intentionally writing about topics that encourage people to choose kindness and love in their everyday interactions with other humans. I really believe kindness could change this world, and I’m infusing that in a lot of what I’m creating. I’m also writing love songs about my wife, and songs about issues going on in our world, but it’s always rooted in kindness.
“I want my songs and shows to be the thing that helps people walk through life—through the joys, through the pain, and through the heartache.”
Explain: My heart is people. I believe everyone has purpose and value, I just think many people never know how to discover that, or are never told that. I try to create music that makes people feel like they aren’t alone. I want someone to hear a song of mine and feel like they are heard and valued, or that there is hope in this world, or even just put a smile on their face. Make a good day better, or a down day a little more bearable.
Tell us about your new single.
My newest single is “Stay In Love”, which came out on August 27th. I co-wrote it with Brittany Bookout, Chelsea Kops, and Brian Kops, and it was actually a session that wasn’t even planned. Brian and Chelsea were in the area, and just stopping through before a golf tee time so Chelsea could see the studio for the first time. Brian played something on an organ upstairs that immediately made the three of us pull out our voice memo app and start recording melody ideas. We figured since we were all inspired we should head downstairs and see what we could come up with in the 45 minutes to an hour of time that they had. I think we got through the chorus and a few verse ideas, and then busted out the rest of it in a session a few weeks later. The idea that we were chasing was this thought of how often we hear people talk about or sing about falling in love, and the chase of finding love, but we rarely hear people talk about the pursuit of staying in love and the joys that come with continuing to pursue someone after you fall in love. It also happened to be the first song that I’ve written with another married couple, which made it even more special.
Take us through the process as a songwriter.
I always start with the natural conversation that happens when someone first walks in the studio. I think we often get fixated on the creation of the thing, that we miss the beauty of what can be formed when catching up on life, and seeing what has been on someone’s mind that day or that week. I’d say a solid 80-90% of what I end up writing about comes from the first 30 minutes to an hour of just sitting and chatting with co-writers or other artists. We’ll then find a “mood” for the song and start coming up with melody ideas around guitar chords, piano chords, or a beat. Everything else stays pretty organic for me. Sometimes we’ll jump right into creating a track to write to, or we’ll just keep it stripped down to a guitar or a piano, depending on how things are flowing. I really try to let every session dictate themselves on how things move and flow.
Why will the audience enjoy it so much?
It’s pretty romantic and groovy, so the song instantly puts you in a certain mood. I think hearing a married man talk about staying in love is rather unique, and something audiences don’t get to hear too often. It’s also just a sexy song, so it’s great to slow dance to, or put on when you wanna create a little vibe for a partner.
What has been your most powerful song as a songwriter?
That’s a tough question. Personally, I think Make It Through or Hard Year have been the most powerful to me because they were both written at the times that we lost my mother-in-law and my father-in-law. I didn’t really have words or know how to navigate those moments to fully support my wife, so those songs came naturally out of my questioning and doubts. The most powerful song for my career has either been “Hold You” or “Wide Open”. They have both been pretty successful, and have really helped advance things for me as an artist.
What’s next for you?
I’m still releasing a new song every month on all streaming platforms and to the licensing companies I’m with. I’m also looking into a tour in South Korea, partnering with a company called “Praus.” My South Korean fans are incredible and I’m extremely excited to finally get to play shows for them.
Instagram:@aaronkellim Facebook: Aaron Kellim Music Twitter: @aaronkellim