Today we bring you a little convo we had with indie artist Kaleb Rudy, who has recently put out his debut visual EP, “My Own Volition.” The project features visualizers for each song, which depict a love story between two drifters struggling with addiction. Kaleb’s powerful visuals immerse his audience in an evocative world of vagrant cowboys, hard drugs, and tender intimacy.

Citing the formative influence of Jewel’s “Pieces of You,” Kaleb Rudy’s music maintains the core of traditional balladry while exploring diverse sonic textures. The standout single “Tornado (Lie With Me)” incorporates typewriter samples for the drums, while the cinematic “Lot’s Wife” features a church organ and chamber choir. This creative blend has already generated significant buzz, with Kaleb sharing four singles that have built an invested audience and garnered attention from publications like Out Magazine and New Zealand’s Your Ex, as well as a playlist placement by Ones to Watch.

The Los Angeles-based artist’s journey has been shaped by his upbringing. Born and partially raised in Grand Junction, Colorado, Kaleb relocated across several states by the age of 12. Growing up in small rural towns and with a Christian pastor father posed challenges for Kaleb’s emerging bisexual identity, but he found various artistic outlets, from songwriting to acting to filmmaking, all of which converge on the “My Own Volition” project. The songs are self-written, the visualizers are self-directed, and Kaleb Rudy stars in the visualizers as one of the star-crossed drifters and lovers.

As the self-directed star of the “My Own Volition” visualizers, what unique challenges and rewards came with taking on both the visual and musical aspects of this project?

Directing and acting in the visualizers at the same time was a challenge. Preparation was key. I made sure I had lots of conversations, mood boards, rehearsals, and wardrobe tests ahead of the shoot. That way, I could let go and fully trust my collaborators on set. I would say the reward was full artistic expression.

Would it be fair to say that you have film-making ambitions to fulfill?

I think that’s fair! I’m (very) slowly writing a feature-length script. 

Now that you’ve had the experience of creating “My Own Volition” on your own terms, how has it shaped your perspective on the pressures artists can face to create music that is deemed “commercial,” rather than staying true to their authentic selves?

It’s an easy trap to fall into. No one wants to play music alone in their bedroom for the rest of their lives. You want an audience. Shaving off my edges to try to find one just felt so bad. I course corrected on this EP, and I’m so happy I did.

You’ve said that your work here has resonated the most with people so far. What lessons did you have to pick up along the way to get to this?

I’ve had to learn how to trust myself. Again and again. If I like it, there will be other people who like it too. 

“Lot’s Wife,” seems to reach for a sense of transcendence. It’s the song where your bisexual identity and your small-town religious upbringing seem to intersect the most. How do you look back on those days and where it’s led you as a person now?

There’s been a lot to unpack and unlearn. But I’m grateful. There were really beautiful things about my upbringing. When I try to connect back to my authentic self, I feel like it exists somewhere around middle school, before the trauma of being outed, drugs and alcohol, and quite honestly, trying to find my way in a community where I’ve never quite felt like I belong. There was an innocence to life. I like to stay connected to that.

Of the visuals, which song do you think holds your favorite video?

Tornado is my favorite. It came out better than I could have hoped. Huge shoutout to cinematographers Joseph Padilla and Genevieve Rico, producer Haiden Citrine, and my co-star M. Taylor Hall. I worked with such amazing people. 

The EP is, of course, a very personal story, but if you could go and say something to the people who are living through similar situations, what would be your wisdom for them?

There was a time I couldn’t imagine going the rest of my life sober. I can tell you the trade-off is beyond worth it. Look into therapy and remember there’s good inside you worth preserving.  

On the relationship side, I’ve learned there are certain things only you can give yourself. A partner can reassure you a hundred times they love you, but you’ll never believe them if you can’t validate yourself. Build self-esteem by creating a life you’re proud of, and then guard it. Be cautious of who you let in. 

What’s next for you? Will you be taking a break or is it straight to work? 

I’ve started recording what I plan to be my debut album! I’m excited.

“My Own Volition” EP Tracklist:
1. Eighteen
2. Mess
3. Tornado
4. Selfish
5. Lot’s Wife

WATCH THE FIVE VISUALIZERS:

CONNECT WITH KALEB RUDY
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