Bustle Mixtape
Her new poetry book is a message to her younger self.
Kelsea Ballerini briefly broke up with music.
Music for me was a sad place for several months to follow, the 28-year-old tells Bustle.
But I could still write.
What she wrote turned intoFeel Your Way Through, Ballerinis first anthology of autobiographical poems and ultimately her catharsis.
In the book, released Nov. 16, Ballerini lays claim to her life in verse over 52 poems.
What I care about is being up front and honest and human.
Below, Ballerini discusses her foray into poetry, fangirling over Kelly Clarkson, and more.
On Vulnerability & Sad Sh*t
Youve been writing songs for years.
Why the pivot to poetry?
So although it is still your truth, its notjustyour truth.
With this book, its the first time that its just me.
While thats much more exposed and vulnerable, Im so much more proud of it.
Theres nothing to hide behind; theres no one else to blame.
How is Kelsea the poet different from Kelsea the musician?
The poets much more honest.
Hopefully, it translates into the next record.
Im also growing up, and with age comes…
I dont think wisdom is the right word.
I would not call myself wise… but experience and a little bit more boldness.
I think thats what this book is.
Whats a poem or line youre most proud of?
How did trying out for the team make a lasting impression on you?
I did not make [the team]!
I danced for 10 years, actually.
Then I got very lanky, all the coordination left my body, and I quit.
Thank you, cheerleaders!
It was a symbol for me.
Of course, none of thats true.
Everyones human, but it was the symbolism.
Also, in this book, Im deconstructing what I thought it meant to be a role model.
Do I write like Im a Disney princess?
I just fully swung the door open.
When I gave the book to my mom, I was just, Mom, Im sorry.
But also, Im not!
I just recalibrated what a role model meant to me.
Did any of your songs start out as poetry?
And will we spot any of the passages from your book in future albums?
I love that process.
Theres already been a couple of these [poems] that have turned into songs.
I hate love songs.
Ive never been good at writing them.
That one was a nice parallel and a nice dip into love songs for me.
OnTwilight& An Almost-First Kiss
What wasthesong that played at your wedding?
It is… from theTwilightsoundtrack.A Thousand Years,Christina Perri.
I stan, clearly.
And my father-daughter dance was to [sings]The Way You Look Tonight.It was really sweet.
Feels like forever ago.
Team Jacob or Team Edward?
I was always Team Jacob.
Whats the weirdest thing youve written a song or poem about?
Probably my meant-to-be first kiss where I took the top layer of skin off with hot wax.
The poem, Behind the Monkeys.
Its a true story.
It was so embarrassing.
My first kiss didnt happen that day, but it was very character building.
I have a secret.
I think if you could sing, you have to pick a song that you cant sing.
I have fangirled over her too much she cant know that.
Im gonna get a restraining order at some point.
I love her so much.
Wheres your favorite karaoke spot?
Theres a place in Nashville called Santas Pub.
If I have enough to drink, thats where I end up.
Do you have a current musical idol?
There are pieces of each of them that I just think are better than everything.
Those are my four pedestal artists.
Is there a genre you wish you made music in?
Im really happy to be a country artist.
Im also like, Whats a genre?
Im a songwriter before Im an artist.
Im really not scared to let the production of a song be determined by how the songs written.
I have a song on country radio right now and a song on pop radio.
At what moment in your life did you feel like you really made it as a musician?
I dont feel like Ive made it as a musician.
Being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry as the youngest member?
Thats a huge one.
Getting number ones at radio?
Thats a huge one.
But theres a lot more that I wanna do, so I dont think Ive made it.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onNovember 17, 2021
