Kela Parker

In the artist’s words: Describe one of your earliest musical memories in detail. I was at a street fair with my mom watching a pianist playing. She leaned over and said, "He's doing all that from memory!" but I wasn't surprised; it was already somehow familiar to me. That afternoon she started showing me how to play the piano. What are your top 3 all-time favorite albums on Apple Music, and why? Why did you choose these three albums in particular? Gillian Welch, Time (The Revelator) Joni Mitchell, Clouds Keith Jarrett, The Köln Concert (Live) I wouldn't have continued with guitar if not for Joni Mitchell's 'Clouds.' It opened a whole new world for me. Keith Jarrett's playing on The Köln Concert is more like interstellar travel than "piano playing." And, Gillian Welch made my reality real. Find a song of yours on Apple Music that you love and tell us what makes it special. Tell us why you chose this song. “Shadow Dance” I wrote a lot of the songs on the 'Dreamer' album inspired by long drives through the Willamette Valley, for work or to visit friends. This one was inspired by a community that lived near one of the highways. I just really like the groove of this one What’s one of the most memorable moments in your career so far? Opening for Madeleine Peyroux at the Aladdin Theatre in Portland, Oregon. It was exciting in part because it was for Madeleine, but also because I had been feeling down and disconnected from music at that time, so it was a wonderful positive boost. Is there anything left on your bucket list as an artist or band? I can get really inside out about putting goals first and forgetting to enjoy the thing that's in front of me. But if I had to pick one, touring more would be really fun. And I have a long list of folks I'd love to collaborate with...