[NoHo Arts District, CA] – We love to promote local bands here at NoHo and Kelly’s Lot is very local…it’s also a band that has been around L.A. for a long time. 

The quintessential folk/blues/Americana band, with a pinch of Jazz, Kelly Zirbes and Perry Robertson bring their eclectic mix of styles together to tour all over the world, entertaining thousands and growing their huge and very loyal fan base with every mile on the odometer.

Last year they released their 17th album, The Blues Remind Me and what a wonderful collection of songs it is! Just gorgeous! You can check it out here: https://kellyslot.com/music

The longer I am on this planet the more I value creativity, longevity, loyalty, and artists that stay true to their roots and only get better with time. Kelly’s Lot has developed into a deeply valued member of the Southern California music scene and are loved nationwide and overseas and with good reason. 

Read on…and get to know them and Kelly’s Lot’s beautiful music!

Hi Kelly, you’ve been a band for more than 30 years now! How was the band first created?

In 1994 I was doing an acoustic project with Bass player Alex Rylance from ‘Precious Metal’ when she decided to put a band around me and get me on the LA circuit as a Folk Rock band. I probably would have kept doing the singer/songwriter folk thing if she hadn’t had that faith in me. Homero Chavez (Drums) , Greg Granieri (Bass) and David Walsh (Guitar) were my bandmates when we started and we played all over Los Angeles. In 1996 Perry Robertson joined the band, we moved to North Hollywood and started playing a lot in the valley. 

Tell me about the development of your music, what and who influences you.

After Perry joined the band he influenced me a lot with his Texas Tinged Southern Rock. Between the two of us, the Blues started to come alive in our songs. We loved the Blues audiences we played for and leaned into our love of that genre. My mother listened to a lot of Blues and Standards while I was growing up and all that came flooding in when we were writing. Her favorite artists were those with passion and I also carry that with me. Artists like Etta James, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, Tom Jones, Della Reese. Too many to mention. But through all of it my biggest influence was Cat Stevens and his positive outlook remains with me today in my lyrics. So if Joe Cocker and Cat Stevens had a baby it might be me. 

What’s your songwriting process?

I like to pick up the guitar or listen to Perry play and I just hear a melody. Then I write lyric over the melody and create a song. Almost all my songs come in one hour. A few have taken years. Focus and work are the way to write. Inspiration is important but if you just start it will come. 

The music industry has changed so much over the years, how has this impacted you as a band?

We have always been a DO IT YOURSELF band so we didn’t feel the changes in the record industry. We record and produce our own records to this day. But the gig opportunities for original bands has really taken a blow with Cover bands and Tribute bands being the desired hire. Not complaining just stating a fact. People want to hear songs they remember. But hey, we’ve been a band for 30 years so there’s a lot to remember. 

How do you handle the business of music? It’s something so important but not often discussed, but up-and-coming musicians need to know this stuff! 

Keep creating the music and share!  Do your homework, there are lots of YouTube videos on equipment, production, marketing, distribution, finances, taxes and all the legal stuff like copyrighting and registering your songs. Streaming, Licensing and Merchandising is also covered on YouTube. Watch the videos. 

Looking onwards now, what are your plans for the band this coming year and beyond.

We will return to Texas and Europe to play some shows and keep playing in Southern California. We will release two albums to honor our 30 years having FUN! 

How has NoHo changed over the years you’ve been performing?

The gig opportunities just aren’t there like they used to be. But I’m hoping they come back. Maybe we’ll play some small theaters. I LOVE North Hollywood, it is my home. 

Do you have any advice for musicians starting out?

JUST DO IT! Or email me for a little advice and we’ll talk. 

kelly z
Kelly’s Lot

Thanks so much, Kelly! NoHo wishes you the best of luck with everything. Please keep the music coming!

KellysLot.com | Facebook.com/KellysLotMusic | YouTube.com/KellysLot

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