Ahead of the Kilby Block Party, Josaleigh Pollett, Sasami, Elowyn, Hannah Frances, Orla Gartland, and Beeson participate in a free and breezy Q&A.
One of my more entertaining music experiences during trips to Nashville over the years occurred at the Bluebird Cafe. The iconic club located in a strip mall away from the insanity found in tourist traps along Broadway is considered a space for songwriters (some unsung) who are the “heroes behind the hits”. That was the case when my wife and I attended an “In the Round” show years ago, when four singer-songwriters (including Gretchen Peters on that night) gathered together in the middle of the room to sing, play, and provide interesting stories behind the music.
Well, Kilby Block Party, a festival that is going on in Salt Lake City from 15-18 May, isn’t quite that intimate. But there’s an impressive lineup of artists appearing with various backgrounds and career experience who cover a wide range of genres.
This article will introduce fans to a few female solo musicians who are on the Kilby bill for the first time, playing some of the earlier time slots on each of the last three days. For PopMatters’ own “In the Round” experiment, ten artists were contacted via email, and five responded. (A sixth participated during a phone interview.) There were 19 (mostly random but quick-hitting) questions asked of artists who shed some light on their personalities, inspirations, and festival memories.
Without any ground rules, they were free to pick and choose from the same list of questions provided. Special mention goes to Salt Lake City’s own Elowyn, who responded to each one. Hannah Frances, a classically trained vocalist with Chicago roots who currently lives in Vermont, was a worthy runner-up, with 17 replies.
Like Elowyn, Josaleigh Pollett, who sometimes performs with Jordan Watko, is from SLC, where readers of the local weekly last year voted her “Best Singer-Songwriter”, while participant Orla Gartland was born in Dublin, Ireland. By now, loyal PopMatters readers should know Sasami, who provided intriguing answers over the phone on 1 May for an article published Wednesday. Beeson, who was raised in Gilbert, Arizona, before moving to Utah for college, rounds out the group and gets the latest set time slot of these respondents, at 3:55 pm on Sunday. Even before hitting the stage, they all deserve a hand.
The performers are listed in order of festival appearance day/time.
6 Solo Artists Are the Life of the Kilby Block Party
- Josaleigh Pollett
- Sasami
- Elowyn
- Hannah Frances
- Orla Gartland
- Beeson
Josaleigh Pollett
KBP appearance: Friday, May 16, 12:15-12:40, Mountain Stage.
Add to your playlist: “YKWIM”.
Instagram: @brosaleigh
If you sang the national anthem at a sports event, when and where was it?
I sang it at a high school volleyball game I was playing in! I was in my jersey and shorts, and even played guitar.
Why should festival goers make your show a priority act to see?
My first solo performances as a singer/songwriter were at Kilby Court as a teenager. It’s an absolute honor to be playing KBP for the first time with a full band! Two of my bandmates are no longer local to SLC, so this configuration is rare and special.
Which Kilby artist would you like to hang out with or see perform?
Jenny Lewis (reunited with Rilo Kiley) has always been a hero of mine, but I’d also love to tell Cameron Winter of Geese how much that band means to me.
Who was the last artist you actually paid to see?
This is where most of my budget goes! Local bands the Plastic Cherries and Hooch were the last ones I went to!
What is the best festival you’ve attended as a fan?
This one!!! KBP forever!
Which song of yours best conveys the spirit of the Kilby Block Party?
“YKWIM” — it’s for floating through the festival grounds, hoping to run into that one specific ex you still think about.
Sasami
KBP appearance: Saturday, May 17, 2:10-2:50, Desert Stage.
Add to your playlist: “In Love With a Memory”.
Instagram: @sasamiashworth
What’s your go-to party song to perform?
I think “Slugger” is probably the hit party song. For me, that’s like my pop songwriting dissertation. It’s just kind of a perfect pop song. It’s got a lot of pop culture references, it’s got a danceable tempo. It’s just fun. It’s about baseball. (laughs) It’s an all-American banger.
Which song of yours best conveys the spirit of the Kilby Block Party?
I think my song “Nothing But a Sad Face On”, which is the song in the set that features the French horn, is kind of always a really ethereal show-stopping moment. So I’m sure that will be a memorable moment in general for the weekend. It’s not very often that you get to see a French horn that’s adorned in lace and pearls and bellowing out to a festival crowd.
What special way do you try to connect with festival fans either before, during or after your set?
I think just committing to it is the best I can do. I put together a super-dynamic show. I just like to be really present, and I just require the crowd to kind of shut their phones down as much as possible and just be in their bodies and be present. That’s all I can ask for.
What’s the weirdest item or thing you’ve been asked to autograph?
I’ve signed a lot of shoes in my day, which, as a person with kind of germy, germaphobic tendencies, is always a little bit sketchy. I’ve signed many body parts. With consent, of course. (laughs) With vehement consent in the request.
Elowyn
KBP appearance: Sunday, May 18, 11:45-12:10, Desert Stage.
Add to your playlist: “Her Name Was Molly”.
Instagram: @elowynmusic
What’s your go-to party song to perform?
“Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” by Journey.
Who’s the party animal in your band/household? And why?
I would have to say me! I’m always down for a good time, love talking to people, and never want the fun to end.
Favorite cover song to perform live?
I don’t do a lot of covers but I have done “Rich Folks Hoax” by Rodriguez. It really struck me when I first heard it.
Least favorite cover song that you’ve vowed you will never play again? And why?
I don’t really have one! That’s a good thing, right?
If you sang the national anthem at a sports event, when and where was it?
I haven’t performed it. That was something my sister did when we were younger. I remember it was at a racetrack.
Why should festival goers make your show a priority act to see?
Because I have an amazing band! Every single one of us brings a unique role to the table. I really enjoy performing and singing and want to always make my audience feel inspired.
What special way do you try to connect with festival fans either before, during, or after your set?
Definitely showing up to other artist’s sets. If we are there together for the same music then I’m sure we can be friends.
What’s the weirdest item or thing you’ve been asked to autograph?
I don’t know if this counts, but one time I was at a restaurant and someone asked if I could give them an autograph because they truly thought I was Kat Dennings.
Mode of transportation on tour?
Minivan or Chevy Express.
What is the longest time it took to get to a festival where you performed?
31 hours — driving all the way to the East Coast.
Which Kilby artist would you like to hang out with or see perform?
Gang of Four.
In general, which band or artist are you still dying to see?
Christine and the Queens.
Who was the last artist you actually paid to see?
Amanda Miguel in Mexico City.
What full-time profession would you like to pursue if you weren’t making music?
I’m actually a hairdresser by day!
What’s your most vivid festival memory (either fondest or worst)?
Maybe not classified as a festival, but more like a series of concerts. I almost died at a Modest Mouse concert! The crowd rushed the stage, and I was being crushed to a point where I couldn’t move or breathe, and my friend saved me. Definitely the worst.
What is the best festival you’ve attended as a fan?
Beach Goth (in Orange County, California).
What festival tops your wish list for performing at and why?
I’m here! The Kilby Block Party. I’ve been a local musician in Salt Lake City for about a decade and have attended and played many shows at Kilby Court. It’s home.
Your must-have rider item?
Wine please.
Which song of yours best conveys the spirit of the Kilby Block Party?
“Her Name was Molly”. It’s upbeat, fun and about falling in love with your friends.
Hannah Frances
KBP appearance: Sunday, May 18, 12:50-1:20, Desert Stage.
Add to your playlist: “Keeper of the Shepherd”.
Instagram: @hannahfrancesmusic
What’s your go-to party song to perform?
“Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears.
Who’s the party animal in your band/household? And why?
No one, we’re all sober.
Favorite cover song to perform live?
“Open the Door” by Betty Carter.
Why should festival goers make your show a priority act to see?
Because our set is very emotionally moving.
What special way do you try to connect with festival fans either before, during or after your set?
Sell merch and connect with fans after the set.
What’s the weirdest item or thing you’ve been asked to autograph?
I’ve only autographed vinyls and CDs.
Mode of transportation on tour?
My Subaru Outback.
What is the longest time it took to get to a festival where you performed?
Two days.
Which Kilby artist would you like to hang out with or see perform?
St. Vincent.
In general, which band or artist are you still dying to see?
Björk.
Who was the last artist you actually paid to see?
The London Symphony Orchestra.
If you weren’t making music, what full-time profession would you like to pursue?
Therapist.
What’s your most vivid festival memory (either fondest or worst)?
Seeing Radiohead at Lolla in 2016 was life-changing.
What is the best festival you’ve attended as a fan?
Pitchfork, 2021.
What festival tops your wish list to perform at and why?
Big Ears (in Knoxville, Tennessee). I love the artistic curation of jazz and experimental music.
Your must-have rider item?
Honey.
Which song of yours best conveys the spirit of the Kilby Block Party?
“Haunted Landscape, Echoing Cave” because it feels very genre-bending and reflects the eclecticism of the Kilby Block Party.
Orla Gartland
KBP appearance: Sunday, May 18, 2:10-2:50, Lake Stage.
Add to your playlist: “Little Chaos”.
Instagram: @orlagartland
What’s your go-to party song to perform?
“Little Chaos” from my newest record is my favorite right now!
Favorite cover song to perform live?
We’ve been covering “Red Wine Supernova” by Chappell Roan on this run, which I’m still loving. That singalong chorus always gets the crowd GOING.
What special way do you try to connect with festival fans either before, during, or after your set?
I like to meet folk at the festival after the set, if I can. It’s fun to clock off after the show, go explore the festival site and get in amongst it for a bit!
Which Kilby artist would you like to hang out with or see perform?
I’m hoping we can watch Walt Disco, Bôa (no longer performing) and Still Woozy at Kilby. So many amazing artists on the lineup this year! If we can make it there the day before I’d kill to see St. Vincent. She’s my idol.
What’s your most vivid festival memory (either fondest or worst)?
A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to play Glastonbury in the UK with my band FIZZ. The weather was perfect. I was there with my best friends in the world in the blazing sun, a few beers deep, watching Cyndi Lauper on the Pyramid stage. It was perfect.
Beeson
KBP appearance: Sunday, May 18, 3:55-4:45, Desert Stage.
Add to your playlist: “Keeping Score”.
Instagram: @beesonyeah
What’s your go-to party song to perform?
“Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry! Every time.
Your must-have rider item?
White cheddar Cheez-its.
Who was the last artist you actually paid to see?
I paid to see my friend Charlie Hickey perform at a cool spot in Los Angeles. It was his album release show, and it was such a cool night.
Which Kilby artist would you like to hang out with or see perform?
I’m stoked to see Frost Children’s set!