Joan Kelsey's Silver Lining

Photo by, Shannon Straney

Meet Joan Kelsey's Silver Lining

In these weirdo times, we all need to find a bright spot in the humdrum of the day to day. Enter Joan Kelsey’s Silver Lining — a project that draws on notes of intimacy and community with their intricate guitar, fiddle, and a cello to boot. Based in Troy, this trio creates folky melodies you’ve gotta hear to believe.

Today, we chat with this crew about the current state of folk, a forgotten garden, and consider the pandemic’s effects on the local music scenes. 

PRIME TIME GOSSIP: A Mad-Lib by, Joan Kelsey's Silver Lining

The ever LOOSE "Gilligan's POND" looks as though it will end up a SALACIOUS feature RICEBALL. Both Universal LAWNMOWERS and Paramount BEANBAGS are competing to turn this EQUESTRIAN comedy into an UNWIELDY blockbuster

What world-famous MOON designer is WILDLY tearing his SOLAR PLEXUS out? His staff sold the same provocative and EMBARRASSING low-cut SOCK to two of TV's leading CUSTODIANS. The women hate each other's SKINS.

Would You Rather

be stuck in an elevator with Susan Sarandon or Tilda Swinton?

Tilda Swinton, I heard from someone that Sarandon is a real jerk at that ping pong club she hangs out at.

Some questions with Joan Kelsey's Silver Lining

What is the current state of folk music right now?

Same as it ever was I guess. A lot of old songs being sung. plenty of new ones too. where I am we have a cozy little scene with a handful of people making truly beautiful new music that walks forward while looking back every now and then. there's no money in it but maybe it wouldn't be fun anymore if there was. would be nice to make a living but sometimes being broke together feels sweet.

Do you have any house plants? How are they doing?

2 years ago I had a momentary motivation to plant a garden in the small bed between my house and the sidewalk. I planted herbs and flowers and strawberries, and even remembered to water them for a while. Typically, my motivation evaporated and the herbs and flowers did not survive the summer. I moved to a different house. The next spring I went by the old place and found a few strawberries had blossomed unassisted. Hoping they might do the same this time around.

What is the collaborative process like between the three of you?

Collaboration has been for the most part without friction. Musically it's very simple. I bring songs, write guitar words and cello. Connor writes fiddle. The songs come together pretty quickly. In other ways, we seem to complement each other well. Raquel is a highly professional double Virgo who pulls things together in a way I wouldn't be able to. Connor keeps it fun by always being down to play anything anywhere anytime. I should mention that on Friends and Family our other important collaborator was Rick Spataro. He produced it and also played drums and some synth. He gently developed the whole sound of the record and we all trusted him and loved working with him.

What has been the best interaction you have had with a fan or audience?

The first show I ever played was in a living room. Maybe 7 or 8 people there. I opened the show with a 20-minute ambient piece. Right before I started my friend Dan showed up. He had brought someone, a super straight guy stomping around with a 30 rack of Bud Light. I was really wishing Dan hadn't brought him, was sure he was gonna cause a problem during the piece. The moment I finished playing he jumped up and ran for the door. Irritated, I said, "Had enough, huh?" When I went outside to smoke he was standing there crying. Said the music really broke him up and he thanked me for playing. I saw how small-hearted and selfish I had been and felt like a bad child. I named the piece after him.

What is your least favorite chore?

Changing guitar strings really stresses me out, I always feel like the high e is gonna snap and slice my face open like some kinda terrible Final Destination scene.

What do you think will be the effect of the coronavirus on local music scenes?

It's so hard to know what's going to happen, it feels like we're in this little bubble of time that's getting a little bigger every day and when it finally pops the world will be totally new. For now, people around here are doing a lot online. Livestream shows are happening. Some fundraisers for freelancers losing work. The best would be if this crisis tightened communities and produced some lasting infrastructure of support. Oh and I bet with all this time alone some great songs are getting written. Didn't Bob Dylan write Hard Rain during the Cuban missile crisis?

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Has this in any way shaped your music?

I really don't know I have fairly severe social anxiety so I don't talk to new people much, but once I know someone I think I talk more than I should. I spend most of my time alone, often with my guitar, often worrying or raking through some feeling. I guess that's when songs happen mostly. I wonder if I had had more friends in high school if I'd be playing loud guitar-solo music. I'm glad that's not what happened even tho I'm pretty lonely.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

I am hoping to tour more if this disease ever stops spreading. especially in early June. I will play any room in any town, especially the Northeast. hmu! 518-852-6909