The Nashville-based artist Kelly Cole has built a swirling and smashing alternative-rock world that is perfect for those who have lost time on useless gaslighting situationships and want revenge. Citing Paramore and Olivia Rodrigo as musical influences, Cole’s newest single “mess with my head” is a spiteful anthem that thrives on the sweetly petty sounds of electric guitar and punching drums.
A fully self-produced artist, Cole has amassed hundreds of thousands of streams across platforms and is continuing to grow a supportive fanbase by the day. She is deep-rooted in Nashville’s indie-rock scene, often pairing her song releases with immersive live experiences like a sold-out pajama party concert. Cole is extremely in-tune with aesthetics and visuals, ensuring each song feels and looks right in every aspect.
Cole’s music spans the entire complex range of the human condition, from heartbreak to love to sweet, sweet revenge. She writes her lyrics with a certain poise and harsh truth that makes her stand out, bathing each word in the intricacies of the human spirit and all the electrifying emotions that come with it.
“mess with my head” is no different — Cole has finally woken up after months of relationship turmoil, one that has wasted way too much of her time. Cole found herself waiting for texts that never came, dates that never happened, and a love that was never there. That was, until, it all hit her: she was being messed with, and it was not in a good way.
A true feminine rager, Cole taps into a special energy that can be felt through the speakers. The hard-hitting drums mixed with the shredding guitars underneath her screaming vocals incite a feeling within the listener, one that makes us all want to break free from whatever shackles we’re trapped in.
“Why did I ever give you a second chance / When the first one ruined all of my plans? / Am I sick in the head?”
Cole is sarcastic and introspective throughout “mess with my head,” wondering just how she let someone put her through everything she just endured. It feels like this song was written right as Cole snapped out of her spell, as every emotion and realization hit her like a freight train and was put immediately onto paper.
The song’s bridge truly takes us to a new world, with Cole’s vocals surrounding the listener as she begs for her sanity and her life back, a truly emotional turn inside of an alt-rock break-up anthem.
“Someone restore me / A little sanity / My head’s exploding from all the ways / You mess with my head”
Photos via Georgia Hutton
Crave was able to catch up with Kelley Cole on release week to discuss “mess with my head”, arts and crafts, and the nature of people pleasing.
CRAVE: This song very uniquely holds up a mirror to the version of ourselves that is consumed in a relationship (for good or for bad). What was the songwriting process like for this one? How did it differ from other songs of yours?
COLE: I wrote this song in a very similar way to the rest of the songs on this project. I’ve been obsessed with writing only on a guitar, with no computer and to not move on to production elements until I’m completely obsessed with the song in its acoustic form. This allows me to really focus on the emotional impact of just the lyrics, melody and harmonics without complicating it.
CRAVE: “mess with my head” does a great job at throwing petty jabs toward an ex-lover, but also excels in realizing one’s self worth. “You’re not worth losing myself” is such a powerful and standout line in this song. What does this mean to you? What are other favorite lines in the song?
COLE: Ugh, this is the one line that really sums up the whole song for me, I’m so glad it stuck out to you. This song is a BIG realization I had coming out of a relationship. I tend to people please in relationships, and this is me taking back the power and the authority I gave to that person, and realizing it was SO stupid to even do that in the first place. I also think some of the earlier chorus lines really paint this picture very well. “You’ve got me thinking crazy thoughts about myself / Looking through your eyes I’m someone else” both explain how i was living my whole life to please someone else and how easy it is to lose yourself in that. I think I also allowed myself to be really sassy and stand-offish in this song, because I am truly the opposite of that in person. It really helped to get my anger out and to stand up for myself in a new way.
CRAVE: We talked with you last year before you released “Twenty Something Teenager,” and it feels like we’ve all grown so much since then. When you look back to this time last year, what emotions arise? How do you measure growth?
COLE: I think it’s actually crazy that “Twenty Something Teenager” just came out last year; I feel as though I’ve done so much growing. I feel more secure in my artistry, more sure of what’s important to me and what feelings I want to pass along through my music. It’s SO easy to get wrapped up in the numbers of it all, but as of now, I’d like to measure growth by actually achieving things that I can control. Such as creating and releasing music I believe in, creating visuals that feel true to me, and putting on really fun events that people can find community in. I think today I’m finding value and opportunity in action, instead of the what if’s and comparison.
CRAVE: Your style/aesthetics in general and surrounding this song are super cool and y2k-grungey almost. What is your creative process like when matching visuals to sound?
COLE: I like to identify my sound as rock music for big feelings. I love matching visuals to that grounding idea along with the emotional base of the song. So for “mess with my head,” I wanted it to have that anger and spite, but not lose the playfulness and spunk. I love to curate looks and vibes that don’t squarely fit into one aesthetic, so even though I make angry music sometimes, I also wear bright colors, and fuzzy sweaters and y2k hair clips. The little contradictions are what makes it feel like me.
CRAVE: I saw on your Instagram you handmade merch bundles for fans. Along with the creative process for song visuals and artwork, how fulfilling is the physical art aspect of being an artist? Why did you decide to handmake the merch?
COLE: One thing to know about me is I LOVE a little craft. Making physical art is so therapeutic. I love designing merch and taking every step of the way to bring it to life. I also love to learn new crafts, and learning how to screen print my own merch was a big excuse to do that. I think the process of making things by hand, truly makes it that much more special to the fans and is a way of saying thank you for being here so early on in my career.
CRAVE: You’re playing The Masquerade Ball in Nashville this month with other stellar artists. What can people expect from this show? Will you be wearing a mask?!
COLE: Ahhh. This show means so much to me. The Phantom of the Opera movie is one I watched as a kid hundreds of times and I think it unironically sent me in the direction of being an artist. The story, aesthetics and music has always moved me and I can’t wait to bring all that energy into this masquerade show. There will be dramatics, decorations, vendors, and so much good music. Jean Saint Lazarus and Kate Cosentino are incredible artists and people and I cannot wait to be a part of this night.
CRAVE: Where do you see yourself in five years? What are your current goals and aspirations?
COLE: Hopefully, I’ll still be making music that moves me, putting on shows that excite me, and connecting to fans who feel the same way I do.
CRAVE: Is there anything you want to add + promote?
COLE: Last year I put on a pool party house show and it was insanely special. I’m planning another one this June, so keep your eyes open for that. More music coming this year as well <3
Keep up with Cole:
Website / Instagram / Spotify / Youtube / TikTok
