We had the good fortune of connecting with Nori & Barbie Kelley WIND and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nori & Barbie Kelley, why did you pursue a creative career?
Nori – I started playing the guitar when I was 11, for pay when I was 13, so I began early and sort of continued on from there. I started doing sessions when I was 20.

Barbie – I started playing piano and flute around age nine. In high school I played flute in the marching and concert bands in 9th grade. Then switched to trumpet in 10th and was in the marching, concert and jazz bands through 12th grade. I also sang in the concert choir in 11th grade. I dropped all music in college and flopped around like a fish out of water for three and a half years. Looking back, I can see that I was in a sort of depression. I finally came back around to music and I haven’t, can’t, and won’t walk away again.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Nori – Barbie & I have been married for 29 years and we began writing, recording and playing live since even before then – it’s a big part of who we are and what we do. I think perseverance is what has brought us to where are today, having just released our 15th studio project. We’ve always been an indie band, so we’ve had the freedom to express ourselves however we chose. We just released a brand new album called “Shift,” and there’s actually a great little review of it in the current issue of Prog Magazine (www.loudersound.com/prog). We also been receiving a degree of airplay in the UK for a couple of years now, and we’re heading over there for a little tour in November where we’re scheduled to do a live radio concert among other things.  We’re excited!  If they’re interested, your readers can find “Shift” here: www.windworld.bandcamp.com/album/shift

Barbie – Nori and I have never fit into a box. Our music, our lifestyle, the venues we’ve performed… Music seems to be forced into a genre. We’ve been free to write and record in whatever style, however it comes out.
“Refreshing” is a word that we have heard several times to describe our music. I’d say that what I am most excited about with our music is hearing feedback of how our music brings peace and healing to people. What more could we ask for?

Life has not always been easy. I’d say that the biggest challenge was/is wondering how/if the bills would be paid. The great news is, here we stand and they’ve all been paid up to this point. It involves a lot of prayer and a lot of trust.

I would want the world to know our story – Nori’s and mine: How we came together, how we live our lives as spiritual beings – not “religious” beings, how incredibly faithful the God who created us is. Maybe that would have to be for another day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Nori – Hmm, favorite Colorado places? Hwy 50 between Canon City and Salida…Breckenridge…The Donut Mill in Woodland Park…The Garden of the Gods…Rocky Mtn National Park…I-70 between Denver and Grand Junction…

Barbie – yes, all of Nori’s! Red Rocks Amphitheater, Arkansas River- white water rafting and zip lining (for those adventurous friends), The Royal Gorge, White Water Bar and Grill, Pizza Madness in Canon City. As for great people, I’d stop by the Royal Gorge Vineyard Church and The Vineyard Church in Canon City, and Canyon View Vineyard Church in Grand Junction, and the Vineyard Longmont Church. Great real people!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Nori – Most of my musicial inspiration comes from the music I listened to growing up. Artists like Yes, Renaissance, Al Stewart, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, etc. My spiritual inspiration is definitely from Jesus & The Bible.

Barbie – My Mom required that all of her children learn piano and an instrument after third grade, around nine-10 years old. She’s been a great teacher, and then encouragement, over the years. As for influences in my younger years, I’d have to thank my Mom for introducing me to Big Band and Swing and musicals. My older siblings introduced me to YES, KANSAS, GENESIS, PINK FLOYD, THE BEATLES, THE BEACH BOYS… so I definitely have to thank them for introducing me to these bands, and for allowing their “kid sister” to handle their albums! After marrying Nori, he introduced me to a lot of new bands that I’d never heard of, so I am definitely grateful to him, too. It was through prayer that brought me back to music at 21 years of age. I was at wit’s end trying to figure out what to do with my life. I actually heard, “I want you to do music, and I want you to do it for Me.” I was overjoyed and finally felt like I had a purpose. So, I would definitely like to dedicate my Shoutout to Jesus.

Website: windmusic.us

Instagram: windmail77

Facebook: facebook.com/windmusic.us

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqwjqFsUkEWLy29ntnYk80w

Other: windworld.bandcamp.com

Image Credits
Cynthea Kelley, Heather Mappin

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