Seattle-born artist Oblé Reed joins Kelly to talk about growing up in Seattle’s North End, building his first recording studio in a treehouse with his dad, and the journey from making music independently to becoming one of the city’s rising stars. Following the success of his 2023 debut project LINDENAVE!, Oblé has amassed tens of millions of streams, performed at major festivals, and continues to build momentum with his latest project, “Line Leaders.”

In this episode, Oblé shares the story behind his DIY beginnings, his creative process, lessons learned from opening for major artists, signing with Wasserman Music, and what it means to represent Seattle’s rich musical legacy. He also gives listeners a preview of what to expect when he takes the stage at Bumbershoot over Labor Day weekend. He also has new music dropping soon, so if you aren’t already, make sure to follow Oblé Reed:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oblereed TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oblereed

Website: https://www.oblereed.com

Watch Oblé Reed’s Tiny Desk Contest Performance: https://youtu.be/FHcC4xJ2OsE?si=eXLpSpqKm-QuAyt1

Get Your Bumbershoot Tickets: https://www.bumbershoot.com

This is a fun episode! Kelly interviews Jeffrey Thomas — multi-instrumentalist, educator, and pioneer in remote music education — about his musical roots, years performing in Los Angeles, and his transition to teaching students around the world.

They discuss practical teaching tips, including learning by ear vs. reading music and slowing down tracks, as well as studio and business insights such as registering with BMI and working as a session musician.

Learn more about Jeffrey’s lessons at https://jeffrey-thomas.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jeffreythomas

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtlessons007

Kelly breaks down Bumbershoot 2026 at Seattle Center, happening Labor Day weekend (Sept 5-6). She covers the festival's 50-year history, the massive and eclectic lineup from Death Cab for Cutie and Turnstile to wrestling, a cat circus, a mermaid performance, fashion runways, comedy, short films, and art installation. She also highlights local Pacific Northwest talent and unique programming that make the event a full-spectrum arts celebration. Get your ticket here:

https://bumbershoot.com