“Blues is the root of rock and roll. It is the birthplace; we wouldn’t have rock and roll without it. It’s the root of Americana, of country, or RnB, you name it. Wehave to preserve the genre and its history. We simply cannot move on as a society and leave it behind, we need to honor and cherish the genre as an art form. There’s a thousand ways to keep it alive, reinterpret it, uphold the tradition. Blues cannot and will not fade.”

Leilani Kilgore: The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll 

Leilani Kilgore is an American blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. She’s known for her gritty guitar tone, powerful voice, and energetic live performances that blend classic blues with a modern rock edge. Kilgore has released her highly-anticipated debut album, Tell Your Ghost (2025), showcases the prodigious guitar skills and knack for compelling songwriting that have garnered her such widespread critical acclaim. Spanning nine diverse tracks, the album also reflects Kilgore’s eagerness to  expand her sonic profile by fearlessly embracing more elements of rock and alternative  music while still paying homage to her roots in the blues. Kilgore has built and solidified a reputation as one of the most talented and highly regarded guitar acts in the industry. Hundreds of shows across the U.S. and  internationally have cemented her status as a can’t-miss live performer and helped her  build a robust, enthusiastic following, and she has released a string of successful  singles that have accumulated hundreds of thousands of streams. But after a series of  both professional and personal challenges in recent years, the West Coast native decided the time was right to finally release a full-length album.  

(Leilani Kilgore / Photo by Jon Duncan)

All songs on Tell Your Ghost were written and produced by herself. Leilani Kilgore is a bona fide rising star whose distinctive, blistering rock sound features elements of soulful blues and fearless, unapologetic emotional expression. The West Coast native first began playing professionally at the age of 14 before honing  her skills with performance-and guitar-focused training at the renowned Berklee College of Music, and she has garnered critical acclaim throughout the industry for her prodigious musicianship and immense sonic profile ever since. Kilgore has opened for such renowned acts as Buddy Guy, Lita Ford, 38 Special, Joe Bonamassa, The Dead Daisies, and Tommy Castro. Overall, Leilani Kilgore stands out as part of a new generation of guitarists who honor traditional blues while pushing it into fresh, contemporary territory.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most? 

Music has given me the most incredible opportunities to broaden my horizons, travel the world, and connect with people. I’m a huge believer in getting out of your hometown, your state, your country as much as possible and experiencing the world beyond your front door. There are billions of stories and wonders out there to share and draw inspiration from! I think my first time ever playing a festival is what really changed my life. That feeling of connection and meeting so many beautiful people is a feeling I really cherish. 

How do you describe your sound and songbook? What keeps a musician passionate over the years  in rock / blues music?

For the longest time, I felt obligated to pursue a career as a blues artist. Blues is what really drew in my focus as a guitar player, and what made me feel like I could truly express myself as a musician. But honestly, I have so much love for rock and roll, it just can’t be ignored. I’m a rock-blues artist through and through. Any time I feel like my passion might be waning, we play a show and meet a new fan or I discover a new riff or hear a new song that pulls me right back in. This music is so deeply ingrained in who I am and where I find happiness in life, it’s impossible to ever really lose passion for it. 

“Be kind and humble. Be aware of your responsibility to your audience and your colleagues. Be steady in your morals and your beliefs. Never take a show, a fan, a stage, or an opportunity to do what you love for granted. Any of it can go away at any time.” (Leilani Kilgore, a bona fide rising star whose distinctive, blistering rock blues sound and fearless, unapologetic emotional expression / Photo by Jon Duncan)

Why do you think that Nashville’s music scene continues to generate such a devoted following?

The Nashville scene is unique and, frankly, I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with it. There are so many unbelievably talented artists and musicians here but the number one tourist draw is a street where 99% of bands are only allowed to play covers. The true creativity and talent in Nashville is overlooked. However, because there is so much skill and creativity here, musicians and artists continue to flock to the city to make better connections/music/gigs. I just wish the heart of the city was more supportive of the artists working hard to pursue their own sound. 

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

Oh gosh, where do I start?! Any chance I’ve had to share the stage with Buddy Guy is deeply important to me. I’ve had wild times on tour in Mexico, France, the Netherlands, I’ve gotten to meet so many heroes and open for bands like 38 Special and play for thousands of bikers… but I think the one moment that has stood out the most to me (so far) is the time I got to sit with David Bowie’s guitarist almost exactly a year after his passing. Earl Slick is an absolute gentleman and a kind soul, and finding myself jamming with him onstage with an all-star lineup was a really big moment for me. 

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I miss the way old music sounds. There’s a certain warmth and rawness in those old albums, and it seems to be wrung out during the process of production or mixing these days. Everything sounds too clean and sterile. I feel like, in the last ten years, there’s been an attempt to return to that kind of sound but it wasn’t in the majority of mainstream music. I hope we can start re-embracing that organic aspect of recording and production, but I’m deeply afraid of the challenges artists are going to have to face (and are already facing) as a result of AI’s ever-increasing prevalence in the arts. I applaud the efforts being made by people like the State of Tennessee, where a bill created to protect artist was passed, but not every state is being as proactive. It’s something we need to vigilant about. 

“Music has given me the most incredible opportunities to broaden my horizons, travel the world, and connect with people. I’m a huge believer in getting out of your hometown, your state, your country as much as possible and experiencing the world beyond your front door.” (Leilani Kilgore & Buddy Guy jammin’ on stage, Chicago Il / Photo by Jeff Beeler)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Be kind and humble. Be aware of your responsibility to your audience and your colleagues. Be steady in your morals and your beliefs. Never take a show, a fan, a stage, or an opportunity to do what you love for granted. Any of it can go away at any time. 

What does to be a female artist in a Man’s World as James Brown says? What is the status of women in music?

I’ve never seen it as anything more than a reason to work harder and prove a point. I’m not a victim, although I have experienced predatory and sexist behavior towards me many times, and I refuse to be intimidated. When I was younger it as a bit easier for people to push me aside or walk over me, but the older I get and the more confidence I feel in my abilities, the less willing I am to let that happen. It’s so inspiring and encouraging to see women in music emerging from all over, especially with the outreach possible on social media. We absolutely have a place here and have experiences and energy that are unique to us. 

How did the blues shape rock and roll? Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues?

Blues is the root of rock and roll. It is the birthplace; we wouldn’t have rock and roll without it. It’s the root of Americana, of country, or RnB, you name it. Wehave to preserve the genre and its history. We simply cannot move on as a society and leave it behind, we need to honor and cherish the genre as an art form. There’s a thousand ways to keep it alive, reinterpret it, uphold the tradition. Blues cannot and will not fade.

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(Leilani Kilgore / Photo by Jon Duncan)