Ruston Kelly Talks 'Pale, Through the Window', Being Present and New Inspirations

Recorded live with his touring band, it’s a collection that balances raw sincerity with the kind of camaraderie only found among close friends. We sat down with him to talk about transcending old patterns, capturing imperfect moments, and how The 1975 won him over in spectacular fashion.

How would you describe the new album in just a couple of words?

Ruston Kelly: True. And transcendent. Not in the way somebody else might describe it, but for me personally, it felt like transcending through quite a few things to get here. I hate saying my music is transcendent… but I mean it thematically.

And what would you say this record represents for you at this point in your career?

Ruston Kelly: It’s a victory, but not one tied to outward accomplishment. It’s a recorded testament to my belief in love, my belief in God, my belief that if you keep reaching for goodness, you’ll find it. To feel peace, contentment, and joy after weaving in and out of those things for years… that felt like a big accomplishment. This record says: I know what it’s like to hold those things now.

Did making this album feel different from your past ones?

Ruston Kelly: Yeah. I finally used my touring band. We recorded live at Jared Kay’s studio, which is basically my second home. We all slept there; it felt like a boys’ sleepover: video games, dumb jokes. I needed that because I sometimes take my music too seriously. My songs usually demand focus and sincerity, but this time the themes were lighter. Having that childish energy with my friends ended up being captured on the record.

That must’ve taken a lot of trust, especially recording live!

Ruston Kelly: Definitely. We kept some of the flubs. If it was a moment, we honoured it. I don’t want recording to feel like taking a test. That’s not what it’s about.

Was there a particular song that set the tone for the record?

Ruston Kelly: “Wayside.” Jared and I have always trusted what comes out of the room with the players we’ve chosen. We don’t sculpt a sound… we just let it be. This time, there were all these different threads: some of my pop-punk side coming out, some Sufjan (Stevens) or Jackson Browne inspiration returning. And I was listening to a lot of The 1975.

And they became a big influence?

Ruston Kelly: Honestly, I was a hater at first. I thought it was H&M dressing-room music. Then a friend took me to a show in Nashville, and it was one of the top three gigs I’ve ever seen. I got it instantly - I’m a huge fan now. That show really changed me.

So how did that experience filter into your own songs?

Ruston Kelly: I found myself chasing what Matty [Healy] might call “maximalism.” Even though we didn’t go all the way there, I wanted that richness and those big 80s textures, the lushness. You can hear it especially on a track called “Me and You”. There’s steel guitar layered into that wide-open sound, and that scratched my 1975 itch. Between that and “Wayside,” the record really found its anchors.

Outside of that, what else inspired you?

Ruston Kelly: A lot of it came from remembering that as artists, we’re supposed to say whatever we want. That’s the job. There’s a standard, sure, but I wanted to live up to my own, not other people’s. The purpose of this record was to create out of joy, instinct, fun. We’re the luckiest people in the world to get to play music, so why wouldn’t we be having fun?

Did the process teach you something new about yourself?

Ruston Kelly: Yeah. Even when joy is the goal, I can overdo it. This record wasn’t just about being aware of the good things I was holding, but also about not holding them too tight. Toward the end I got a bit “mad scientist” and my girlfriend had to remind me to just go for a walk. I needed that. I’m learning how to temper drive with presence and how sometimes the purpose can simply be existing.

How do you hope listeners connect with the songs?

Ruston Kelly: In the same way they’ve connected with my other records. I’m still writing about the human condition, telling the truth as I see it. I may not have all the answers, but I know what it’s worth. I hope listeners tap into that value within themselves.

And what are you most looking forward to about performing the songs live?

Ruston Kelly: Since it’s already a live-sounding record, I’m excited to see what that 2.0 version feels like: louder, rawer, less polished. That’s what I want to bring to the stage.

Finally, what’s next on the horizon?

Ruston Kelly: I don’t really know. There’s promotion and touring for this record, of course, but I’m trying to keep one foot in front of the other. Work hard, be grateful, and not lose myself in it. I want to be present with my family, my girlfriend, my friends.

The new album 'Pale, Through the Window' is out on September 12th

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