Ruston Kelly : NPR

Ruston Kelly tore it all down on his new album — so he could build something better

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World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Ruston Kelly tore it all down on his new album — so he could build something better

XPN

March 30, 2023 • The singer-songwriter calls it a foundation. In this session, hear a live performance of songs from The Weakness.

Ruston Kelly on World Cafe

26:07

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Illustration: Rae Pozdro for NPR

Best Music Of 2020

The 100 Best Songs Of 2020 (Nos. 80-61)

December 3, 2020 • Think of these 100 songs (Nos. 80-61 here) as a silver linings playlist for the worst year of our collective lives.

Ruston Kelly's Redemption, In A Constant State Of 'Shape & Destroy'

Ruston Kelly's never been one to shy from harsh realism and ugly truth. Within Shape & Destroy's sparse settings, he embraces a heart-on-sleeve sentimentalism. Alexa King/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Review

Music Reviews

Ruston Kelly's Redemption, In A Constant State Of 'Shape & Destroy'

August 28, 2020 • The Nashville singer-songwriter offers a path forward in which the process of recovery continues with resolve.

Amidst The Pandemic, The New Music Out Of Nashville Never Stops

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World Cafe

Amidst The Pandemic, The New Music Out Of Nashville Never Stops

XPN

August 26, 2020 • World Cafe's Nashville correspondent, Ann Powers, talks about the state of Music City and five new releases that she's excited about.

Nashville New Music - August 2020

30:09

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Ruston Kelly Explains 'Teenage Dirtbag,' The Loser Anthem

Nashville star Ruston Kelly surprised fans with the 2019 release Dirt Emo Vol. 1, which puts his own spin on the cult hit "Teenage Dirtbag." His second studio album, Shape & Destroy, is out Aug. 28. Alexa King/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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NPR Music's 20|20

Ruston Kelly Explains 'Teenage Dirtbag,' The Loser Anthem

August 13, 2020 • The Nashville star helps us break down the appeal of the beloved 2000 song by Wheatus, a truly strange cult hit that has stood the test of time.

What Ruston Kelly Learned From Reading Ralph Waldo Emerson During A Crisis

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Our Daily Breather

What Ruston Kelly Learned From Reading Ralph Waldo Emerson During A Crisis

April 2, 2020 • In Our Daily Breather, we ask artists to recommend ways to find calm and comfort during the COVID-19 crisis. Ruston Kelly recommends Emerson's "Self-Reliance" and believing in the power of art.

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Best Music Of 2019

The Best Cover Songs Of 2019

December 11, 2019 • Wilco and Tom Waits were some of the year's most-covered artists. Emo and Warped Tour-core got their share of love, too.

Watch A Live Webcast Of The 2019 Americana Honors & Awards Ceremony

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World Cafe

Watch A Live Webcast Of The 2019 Americana Honors & Awards Ceremony

XPN

September 11, 2019 • Hosted by The Milk Carton Kids with performances and appearances by Brandi Carlile, Elvis Costello and more, the ceremony kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Illustration: Angela Hsieh/NPR

Best Music Of 2018

The 100 Best Songs Of 2018

December 5, 2018 • During a turbulent year rife with personal and political trauma, the most memorable songs pulled no punches in the pursuit of pop.

Ruston Kelly performing at WXPN's Free At Noon Concert, recorded live for this session. Taylor Johnson/WXPN hide caption

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World Cafe

Ruston Kelly On World Cafe

XPN

November 22, 2018 • Kelly's been to the brink and back. You can hear that journey in the moving songs that make up his latest album, Dying Star.

Ruston Kelly On World Cafe

1:08:18

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Go Figure: Ruston Kelly Ice Skates In 'Son Of A Highway Daughter' Video

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Slingshot

Go Figure: Ruston Kelly Ice Skates In 'Son Of A Highway Daughter' Video

WMOT

October 22, 2018 • Yes, the rising country star can ice skate. And well.

World Cafe Nashville: A New Music Roundup

Ruston Kelly performs live on the 2018 AmericanaFest's Day Stage presented by WMOT, NPR Music and World Cafe. Val Hoeppner/WMOT hide caption

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World Cafe

World Cafe Nashville: A New Music Roundup

XPN

September 25, 2018 • The new music that's come out of Nashville in recent months is an embarrassment of riches.

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All Songs Considered

The Best Of AMERICANAFEST 2018

September 18, 2018 • All Songs Considered's Bob Boilen talks with NPR Music's Ann Powers and Jewly Hight about the standout performances and surprising discoveries at this year's AMERICANAFEST.

The Best Of AMERICANAFEST 2018

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Watch Mike Farris, Paul Thorn, The Black Lillies And More Live From AmericanaFest

Mike Farris performs on the AmericanaFest Day Stage at 6pm CT. Sebastian Smith Photography/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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World Cafe

Watch Mike Farris, Paul Thorn, The Black Lillies And More Live From AmericanaFest

XPN

September 10, 2018 • Catch all 6 Day Stage performances on day 1 of AmericanaFest from The Local in Nashville.

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Slingshot

Slingshot: The New Artists You'll Love In 2018

January 9, 2018 • Slingshot is a collaboration between NPR Music and public radio stations around the country that spotlights up-and-coming musicians.