Madeleine Kelson is a Nashville based Americana artist. She pulls from a rich tradition of Folk, Country, and Americana, challenging its boundaries as a queer artist to represent the modern world. Madeleine spent her high school years in Chicago band, The Kelson Twins, playing venues including House of Blues and Thalia Hall, and landing a top Daytrotter Session with Paste Magazine. She later moved to Music City to pursue a solo career. Inspired by artists like Patty Griffin, Jason Isbell, and Brandi Carlile, her dynamic and down-to-earth storytelling and rich vocals are part of why NPR named her one 10 Nashville artists on the rise.

In 2022, Madeleine released her debut, self-produced album, While I Was Away, on Olivia Records. Since its release she has gained praise from No Depression, been featured multiple times in NPR, and was a finalist in the prestigious Kerrville New Folk songwriting competition. Her queer country anthem, The Way I Do, became a viral TikTok hit with over 1.7 million views. Madeleine has been featured on Spotify editorial playlists including Queer as Folk, Emerging Americana, and Fresh Finds Folk. Her new EP, Where the Spirit Meets the Muscle, was released in February 2024.

NJ is an emerging singer/songwriter based in Atlanta, Ga. Born in Cincinnati, she always centered music in her life. She was consistently involved with musical theatre, band, and choir. It was her passion from a very young age. Even though she was always singing, NJ didn’t start writing her own original music to release until 2019. She loved creating catchy, empowering, and fun pop songs, but lately she has fallen in love with writing songs that are centered around just her and a guitar. She believes there’s something so special about storytelling through honesty and vulnerability. This is her fourth time returning to Smith’s and it’s one of her favorite venues to play in Atlanta!