Authenticity and humility in modern music are traits that can be harder and harder to come by these days. In a society dominated by "artists" who strive to be TikTok famous or attempt to follow music trends, some folks are out there just trying to put out quality songs from the heart.
Enter rural Kansa born and bred Americana singer-songwriter Kiefer Luttrell, who put out his latest single, "Spanish Streets," in February.
"Spanish Streets" touches on the universal feelings and reflections of feeling stuck, whether it's emotionally, psychologically, geographically, or otherwise. "Cause no matter what I do / I can't fix what's wrong / Stranded out here / On these Spanish Streets alone," Luttrell croons in the chorus of the mellow, smooth groovin' number.
Luttrell has independently released two albums, These Great Plains (2022) and Sidewalk of the Universe (2023), both of which showcase his unique blend of country, soul, rock, and folk. His latest release, 2024's Tall Tales and Dead End Roads, is an acoustic-driven EP that leans more into a country-western sound, tackling themes of love, purpose, and identity. "Spanish Streets" is his first single of 2025, with a second slated for a spring release.
We got to chat with Luttrell about his Kansas roots, his move to Nashville, new music, and much more.
So what was life like growing up in Iola, Kansas?
It was a slow and quiet town with not much opportunity. My favorite memories of that town as a kid would be popping into my mom's antique store with my brother before riding our bikes off to go fishing in some creek in the summers.
Do you remember when you knew you wanted to be a songwriter?
I wanted to do it when I was 19. I was working at a factory in my town, and just didn't financially have the means to bet on myself, so it just never manifested at that time. I don't really know what drew me to it. It just sort of happened, and I couldn't get rid of the passion of trying to get better at it as the years went by.
Did you have any local music mentors or family members who got you interested in music?
Music wasn't pushed on me as a kid, and I didn't learn to play guitar until I was 18. My grandfather gave me my first guitar. One of my big regrets is never genuinely thanking him for that before he died. In a lot of ways, that small gesture saved my life.
What made you want to move to Nashville, and when did you move? What has that experience been like?
I was assigned to 5th Special Forces Group as a Green Beret in Fort Campbell back in 2014, which is what led me to Tennessee. I moved to Nashville around 2016, but waited until I was out of the Army in 2019 to start pursuing my songwriting ambitions. Because I didn't take a traditional route and have operated outside the industry it hasn't been easy. But I came here to make art, not write for the radio, so if that's the way it has to be, then so be it.
Let's talk a bit about the new single "Spanish Streets." When did you write this song, and what's the influence and backstory behind it?
The song is about the time surrounding before and after my second deployment. Before getting in country, my team and I spent a day in Rota, Spain. I remember walking the streets and alleys before eventually hopping back on the C-17 and going to Jordan. On the way back, I got stuck at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait and was stuck waiting on a plane to get me back home for a few days, which at that point, felt like a lifetime. So, I imagined that my wife today (I was single back then) was on the other end of that trip, and how much I know I would've wanted to fix that situation to get back to her sooner, but couldn't. Also, "Spanish Streets" sounds a lot better than "Kuwaiti Streets."
I also want to emphasize that the military aspect of the story is just a backdrop. There are no references to it in the song, as I wanted to focus on universal themes of feeling stuck, longing, and love.
Where was it recorded and who helped it come to life?
It was recorded at Welcome to 1979 and produced by my friend, Jeremy Bernstein. We had worked together previously on an EP I put out earlier in the year.
Are there any common themes, messages, or motifs you usually stick to in your songs?
I focus on writing about my life experiences with unfiltered honesty.
What does success as a songwriter and musician mean to you?
Just continuing to create meaningful art until I have nothing left to say.
What are some of your goals - whether musically or otherwise - for 2025 and beyond?
I'd like to focus my time this year to play more live shows and festivals. I'm also about 90 percent finished writing my third album, and am focused on getting back in the studio towards the end of the year and getting that recorded. Beyond that, who knows. I'm just taking everything one day at at a time.
Photos by Kate Dearman
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