In one world Britnee Kellogg has a quarter of a million Instagram followers, over twenty-million TikTok impressions and a similar number of streams. In a different world she is playing in front of sixteen people at the Kitchen Garden in Birmingham. We live in strange times. The spin is following the dream, piggy backing big names and accessing reality shows. Stardom comes to the few so why not be one of the few. An exit strategy awaits in the guise of a story and a talent honed in alternative directions. When the dust settles Britnee Kellogg will prosper through polishing an innate ability to write meaningful songs in an artistic and connective way, take pride in developing late-learned guitar playing that smoothes the path for the songs to simmer and lean on a natural urge to effortlessly convey a story. Britnee Kellogg is more than a country singer, She epitomises the country song.
Given a solo spotlight of an hour and a quarter, our guest from Washington State plays a full hand. Perching on a stool is a given. A quick slug of whiskey paints a picture. Image flickers for a moment before the candid nature of the performance kicks in. Nashville has always been the call but its inaccessibility appears to stoke the fire. Maybe there is something in the fresh water of the Pacific North-West that also worked for Brandi Carlile and Brandy Clark. The wryness of the latter’s writing threads through Kellogg’s work. She also found a niche when the dust settled.
You can ask no more as a paying customer than to leave a performance nourished and well-versed in what makes a performer tick. Kellogg’s trio of traits quickly align. Promo imagery and headlines soon fade as you figure out what is in front of you. Peeling away pseudo layers quickly reveals the strengths. You sense the clock is ticking in one aspect, yet a timeless expanse awaits in another. The background is a child at six forming the adult in the presence of Johnny and June. A legacy sealed while the chaos of life is thrown at you. Nuggets spring up to lighten the dark times as Kellogg weaves a multitude of experiences through her songs.
We learn the path leading to the present. One expressed through covers of ‘Angel From Montgomery’, ‘Suds in the Bucket’, ‘Tin Man’ and ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California’. Interpretation abruptly ends and the seasoned songwriter kicks in. ‘Back of My Mind’, ’10 Years Ago’, ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ and ‘She’s Come a Long Way’ help form the picture, all immaculately presented and expertly delivered. This was organic class and proof that the shadows is where it’s at,
Britnee Kellogg and the people of Birmingham may be passing ships in a busy lane. Fleeting acquaintances can be memorable ones when hunches are followed and misty lens are cleared. This August liaison came out of the blue to glisten with ideals from multiple ages. Country music possesses an endearing charm at its core. Britnee Kellogg successfully reaches out from its soulful crevices melding passion, engagement and truth.
