Kelli Blanchett Finds Strength in Vulnerability on ‘Casual Dining’
Kelli Blanchett is an alt-folk singer-songwriter from Corby, now based in London, making music that feels deeply personal and quietly powerful. Her songs draw from real-life experiences—touching on disability, friendship, love, and the emotional ups and downs that come with it all—delivered with an honesty that feels more like a conversation than a performance. Blending soft folk textures with subtle alt-pop touches, she creates a sound that’s intimate, reflective, and easy to connect with. After years of collaborating with Self Esteem, Kelli is now confidently carving out her own space as a solo artist.
That momentum is already building in a big way. She sold out her EP listening party in just 48 hours and has taken the stage at places like Royal Festival Hall and Eventim Apollo, bringing her music to wider audiences. With two BBC Introducing Artist of the Week features and a spot on Channel 4’s Big Mood, more people are starting to tune in. At the heart of it, though, her goal is simple—she just wants her music to help people feel understood, like wherever they are in life is okay.
After taking much of 2024 off due to chronic illness, Kelli Blanchett returned with Casual Dining, a five-track EP shaped by that period of change and uncertainty. She describes it as a “break-up with the old version of me,” capturing the emotional weight of adjusting to a new way of living—feeling isolated, left behind, and disconnected from the life she once knew. Rather than offering easy answers, the project leans into those messy, in-between feelings, ultimately finding a sense of acceptance and quiet resilience in the process.
Inspired by 70s artists like Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, and Gram Parsons, the EP blends warm, stripped-back instrumentation with raw, intimate vocals. The focus track “Hiding in Plain Sight” reflects on the confusion and hurt of a lost friendship, pairing its emotional depth with rich Americana textures like slide guitar and layered harmonies. Even in its most vulnerable moments, Casual Dining feels full of life, offering an honest look at growth, loss, and learning to move forward.
Make sure you check out Casual Dining on Spotify below!
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Kelli Blanchett
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Who am I? Just some guy who decided to start writing on the Internet years ago and now operates his own brand and site. Owner/Operator of Modern Neon Media, I make all kinds of niche content to suit my interests at the time. DIY Enthusiast, Brewmaster extraordinaire, and avid freak for geek culture. Follow on my socials for a more “on” version of me.
