Madeleine Kelson

Madeleine Kelson is a Nashville based Americana artist. She pulls from a rich tradition of Folk, Country, and Americana, challenging its boundaries as a queer artist to represent the modern world. Madeleine spent her high school years in Chicago band, The Kelson Twins, playing venues including House of Blues and Thalia Hall, and landing a top Daytrotter Session with Paste Magazine. She later moved to Music City to pursue a solo career. Inspired by artists like Patty Griffin, Jason Isbell, andBrandi Carlile, her dynamic and down-to-earth storytelling and rich vocals are part of why NPR named her one 10 Nashville artists on the rise.

Once in Nashville, Madeleine won the 2017 International Bluegrass MusicAssociation’s (IBMA) Songwriter Showcase, and in 2018 released her acclaimed solo debut Siren, an introspective five-song EP with clean, melodic vocals backed by elegant countermelodies on violin. Praised by press for its genre-defying, sparse style and emotional richness, Siren earned Kelson comparisons to both Amos Lee and Gillian Welch.

In 2022, Madeleine released her debut, self-produced album, While I Was Away, on Olivia Records. Since its release she has gained praise from No Depression, been featured multiple times in NPR, and was a finalist in the prestigious Kerrville New Folk songwriting competition. Her queer country anthem, The Way I Do, became a viral TikTok hit with over 3 million views. Madeleine has been featured on Spotify editorial playlists including Queer as Folk, Emerging Americana, and Fresh Finds Folk. Her new EP, Where the Spirit Meets the Muscle, was released in February 2024.

“Kelson’s voice is rich and warm”
— NPR

“I love when an entire record knocks me out and...Madeleine Kelson has done just that.”
— WMOT

“The Way I Do… is an iconic LGBTQ+ anthem, and in my opinion, it’s one of the most compelling songs about queer love and pride”
— THE BLUEGRASS SITUATION