Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tori Kelly learned how to follow her own muse and bring her music to her fans through YouTube. Victoria Loren Kelly was born in Wildomar, California on December 14, 1992. Kelly grew up listening to gospel and was influenced by pop and R&B acts such as Jeff Buckley, Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott. She was a contestant on America’s Most Talented Kids and made it to the championship tournament. Her appearance led to a deal with Geffen Records, but she and the label parted ways before she could release any material.

Kelly began posting videos of her performances on YouTube, and through word of mouth she developed a significant following. Her page had close to 700,000 subscribers and her cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin’ ‘Bout You” was viewed 17 million times. Kelly proved there were paying customers in her new fan base when she digitally released an album, Handmade Songs by Tori Kelly. The album sold well enough to hit number nine on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and number six on Soundscan’s New Artist tally.

Kelly followed that success with a series of live dates, headlining clubs and theaters and opening at larger venues for Jewel and Ed Sheeran. Scooter Braun, who helped guide Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen to stardom, became Kelly’s manager, and she scored a contract with Capitol Records, which released her EP Foreword in the fall of 2013. In June, Kelly released her debut full-length album, Unbreakable Smile, which includes the singles “Nobody Love” and “Should’ve Been Us.”

Tori Kelly @ Emos

Tuesday, October 6th, 2015

Tickets: $23

Doors: 7PM

All ages